New Perspective On Paul (Revised)

This collection of essays highlights a dimension of Paul’s theology of justification which has been rather neglected in earlier decades, specifically that his teaching emerged as an integral part of his understanding of his commission to preach the gospel to non-Jews and that his dismissal of justification “by works of the law” was directed not so much against Jewish legalism but rather against his fellow Jews’ assumption that the law remained a dividing wall separating Christian Jews from Christian Gentiles. The long opening essay interacts with critiques of this new perspective on Paul. Dunn seeks to carry forward the debate on Jewish soteriology, on the relation of justification by faith to judgment “according to works,” on Christian fulfillment of the law, and on the crucial role of Christ, his death and resurrection. Full of detail and intriguing thought, Dunn’s collection will make brilliant reading for any scholar of the New Testament.