n.t. wright under review: revisiting the apostle paul & his doctrine of justification

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26 | CREDO MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2014 CONTENTS

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Thomas Schreiner hace un acercamiento crítico al magnum opus de N.T. Wright, Paul and the Faithfulness of God.

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Page 1: N.T. Wright Under Review: Revisiting the Apostle Paul & His Doctrine of Justification

26 | CREDO MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2014

CONTENTS

Page 2: N.T. Wright Under Review: Revisiting the Apostle Paul & His Doctrine of Justification

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In this two-volume work, 3DXO�DQG� WKH�)DLWKIXOQHVV�RI�*RG��)RUWUHVV���������1��7�� :ULJKW� FRQWLQXHV� KLV� PXOWL�YROXPH�work on &KULVWLDQ� 2ULJLQV� DQG� WKH�

4XHVWLRQ�RI�*RG��+LV�ZRUN�RQ�3DXO�LV�YHU\�ORQJ��SUREDEO\�WRR�ORQJ���FRQVLVWLQJ�RI�WZR�YROXPHV�� (YHQ� WKRXJK� WKLV� UHYLHZ� DUWLFOH�LV� VRPHZKDW� OHQJWK\�� ,� DP� QRW� FODLPLQJ�WR�UHSUHVHQW�IXOO\�ZKDW�:ULJKW�VD\V�LQ�WKLV�PDPPRWK� ZRUN�� DQG� ZKDW� LV� HPSKDVL]HG�UHSUHVHQWV�WR�VRPH�H[WHQW�P\�RZQ�LQWHUHVWV��6WLOO�� EHIRUH� HYDOXDWLQJ�ZKDW�:ULJKW� VD\V��,� ZLOO� VSHQG� VRPH� WLPH� VXPPDUL]LQJ� WKH�contents of the book with the hope that his

ERRN�JHWV�D�IDLU�KHDULQJ�

7KH�ERRN�LV�GLYLGHG�LQWR�IRXU�SDUWV��:ULJKW�begins by exploring the religious, social,

political, and cultural world in which Paul

OLYHG��FKDSV��������+H�WKHQ�LQYHVWLJDWHV�WKH�worldview of Paul, focusing on symbol and

SUD[LV��FKDSV��������7KH�WKLUG�SDUW�]HURV�LQ�on Paul’s theology under the themes of

monotheism, election, and eschatology

�FKDSV�� ������� )LQDOO\�� KH� FRQVLGHUV� KRZ�Paul’s theology interfaces with both the

Greco-Roman and Jewish world of his day

�FKDSV�� ��������7KH� ODVW� FKDSWHU�GLVFXVVHV�3DXO¶V�DLPV�DQG�LQWHQWLRQV��FK�������

$QRWKHU�ZRUG� DERXW� WKH� SODQ� RI� WKH� ERRN�PLJKW�SURYH�KHOSIXO��:ULJKW¶V�WUHDWPHQW�RI�

3DXO¶V�ZRUOGYLHZ��FKDSV�������SUHFHGHV�WKH�H[SOLFDWLRQ� RI� KLV� WKHRORJ\� �FKDSV�� �������VLQFH�:ULJKW�EHOLHYHV�WKDW�3DXO¶V�WKHRORJ\�ÀRZV� IURP� KLV� ZRUOGYLHZ�� ,Q� DGGLWLRQ��FKDSV�� ������ UHWXUQ� WR� WKH� GLVFXVVLRQ� RI�the historical, cultural, social, and religious

ZRUOG� GLVFXVVHG� LQ� FKDSV�� ����� ,Q� WKHVH�¿QDO�FKDSWHUV�:ULJKW�XQSDFNV��QRZ�WKDW�KH�KDV�H[SODLQHG�3DXO¶V�WKHRORJ\��KRZ�3DXO¶V�WKHRORJ\�UHODWHV�WR�LWV�¿UVW�FHQWXU\�FRQWH[W��:ULJKW¶V�ZRUN�� WKHQ�� LV�HDUWKHG� LQ�KLVWRU\��He has no patience for those who attempt

to do Pauline theology apart from the

KLVWRULFDO�FRQWH[W�RI�WKH�GD\�

THE HISTORICAL CONTEXTOF PAUL’S DAY

7KH� ERRN� LV� ODXQFKHG� ZLWK� D� IDVFLQDWLQJ�discussion of Philemon, comparing Paul’s

SHUVSHFWLYH�RQ�WKH�UXQDZD\�2QHVLPXV�ZLWK�Pliny’s response to the runaway slave of

6DELQLDQXV��:KDW�LV�SDUWLFXODUO\�VWULNLQJ�LV�how Paul’s response differs from Pliny’s,

and we are introduced to Paul’s theology

as he encounters a practical situation in

HYHU\GD\� OLIH�� 3DXO¶V� WKHRORJ\�� :ULJKW�claims, was introduced to explain and sustain

KLV�ZRUOGYLHZ��7KH�V\PEROLF�SUD[LV�DW�WKH�heart of Paul’s worldview was the unity of

the people of God, and hence Paul exhorted

3KLOHPRQ�WR�EH�UHFRQFLOHG�WR�2QHVLPXV��IRU�

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CONTENTS

WKH\�ZHUH�EURWKHUV�LQ�WKH�VDPH�IDPLO\��7KH\�were members of the same family because of

the Messiah and what he had accomplished

LQ�KLV�GHDWK�DQG�UHVXUUHFWLRQ�

2QH� RI� WKH� NH\� IHDWXUHV� RI� :ULJKW¶V� ERRN�VXUIDFHV� LQ� WKH� ¿UVW� FKDSWHU�� +H� URRWV� KLV�ZRUN� LQ� KLVWRU\�� ([HJHVLV�and theology are grounded

in the historical context

of Paul’s day, and

KHQFH� :ULJKW� XQSDFNV�the Jewish and Greek

ZRUOGV� 3DXO� HQFRXQWHUHG��:ULJKW� GRHVQ¶W� JLYH� LQ� WR�postmodern despair; he

believes that we can really

grasp Paul’s thought and

LQWHQWLRQV�� %\� HPSOR\LQJ�critical realism, hypotheses

FDQ� EH� WHVWHG� DQG� YHUL¿HG��:ULJKW� GRHVQ¶W� FODLP� WKDW�we know exhaustively or

comprehensively, but we

aren’t locked into historical

QLKLOLVP�HLWKHU��7KH�JHQXLQH�3DXO�FDQ�EH�GLVFHUQHG�E\�XV��

7KH�KLVWRULFDO�FDVW�RI�:ULJKW¶V�ZRUN�H[SODLQV�3DUW���RI�WKH�ERRN��ZKHUH�KH�VLWXDWHV�3DXO�LQ�KLV� KLVWRULFDO�� UHOLJLRXV�� DQG� VRFLDO� FRQWH[W��+H�HPSKDVL]HV�WKH�SURPLQHQFH�DQG�LQÀXHQFH�RI� WKH� 3KDULVHHV�� :KDW� LV� SDUWLFXODUO\�LPSRUWDQW� LV� WKH� VWRU\� RI� ,VUDHO�� 7KH� -HZV�

ZHUH�WKH�FKLOGUHQ�RI�$EUDKDP��WKH�SHRSOH�RI�WKH�SURPLVH��7KH\�ZHUH�WKH�PHDQV�E\�ZKLFK�<DKZHK�ZDV�JRLQJ�WR�EOHVV�WKH�ZKROH�ZRUOG��but something had gone horribly wrong, for

WKH�SURPLVHV�ZHUHQ¶W�IXO¿OOHG�DQG�,VUDHO�ZDV�VWLOO�LQ�H[LOH��,VUDHO¶V�H[LOH�ZDV�GXH�WR�VLQ��DQG�KHQFH� WKH�3KDULVHHV�EHOLHYHG� WKDW� WKH�7RUDK�

had to be applied to every

dimension of life to undo

the devastation wrought

E\� VLQ��2QH� FRXOG� VD\� WKDW�,VUDHO�ZDVQ¶W� WHFKQLFDOO\� LQ�exile since they lived in the

ODQG�� %XW� WKH\� ZHUH� XQGHU�the thumb of the Romans,

and so they were, practically

speaking, under the curses

RI� WKH� FRYHQDQW�� /R\DOW\�WR� 7RUDK� HVSHFLDOO\� PHDQW�observing the boundary

markers, the badges that

separated Jews from

Gentiles, the commands

that came to the forefront

during the Hasmonean

UHYROW�� ,VUDHO� ZDV� QRW�looking for an ethereal

post-mortem existence but

D�UHQHZHG�ZRUOG��D�ZRUOG�LQ�ZKLFK�<DKZHK�reigned over an obedient people and human

EHLQJV�ÀRXULVKHG�XQGHU�WKH�/RUG¶V�UXOH�

:ULJKW�DOVR�SURYLGHV�VNHWFKHV�RI� WKH�*UHHN�philosophies that were current during the

ONE OF THE KEY FEATURES OF WRIGHT’S BOOK SURFACES IN THE FIRST CHAPTER. HE ROOTS HIS WORK IN HISTORY. EXEGESIS AND THEOLOGY ARE GROUNDED IN THE HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF PAUL’S DAY, AND HENCE WRIGHT UNPACKS THE JEWISH AND GREEK WORLDS PAUL ENCOUNTERED.

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1HZ�7HVWDPHQW�HUD��FRQVLGHULQJ�WKH�WKRXJKW�RI� 3ODWR��$ULVWRWOH�� WKH� SKLORVRSK\� RI� WKH�&\QLFV�� DQG� HVSHFLDOO\� WKH� SKLORVRSK\� RI�WKH� (SLFXUHDQV� DQG� 6WRLFV�� 7KH� FRPPRQ�denominator was the conviction that human

ignorance could be transcended through

the study of philosophy, for philosophy

was not an arcane endeavor but the path to

YLUWXH�DQG�ZLVH�OLYLQJ��

7KH� UROH� RI� UHOLJLRQ� LQ� WKH� *UHFR�5RPDQ�ZRUOG� LV� DOVR� H[DPLQHG�� 5HOLJLRQ� ZDV�pervasive and affected every area of life,

so that it reached the home and the public

VTXDUH�� ,W� FRQVLVWHG� PRUH� LQ� ZKDW� SHRSOH�GLG�WKDQ�LQ�ZKDW�WKH\�EHOLHYHG��6RPHWLPHV�scholars have claimed that Paul wasn’t

UHOLJLRXV�� EXW�� VD\V� :ULJKW�� WKHUH� DUH�religious elements in Paul’s letters, such as

EDSWLVP�� WKH� /RUG¶V� 6XSSHU�� SUD\HUV�� DQG�G\LQJ�DQG�ULVLQJ�ZLWK�*RG�

)LQDOO\�� WKH� UROH� RI� WKH� LPSHULDO� FXOW� LV�LQWURGXFHG��7KH�LPSHULDO�FXOW�FODVKHG�ZLWK�the Jewish worldview because it offered an

alternative eschatology, a competing story

DERXW� KXPDQ� ÀRXULVKLQJ�� 7KH� HPSHURUV�were celebrated as those who would and

could transform the world, standing in

contrast to the monotheism, election, and

especially the eschatology found in Jewish

ZULWLQJV�

PAUL’S WORLDVIEW

:KDW�ZHUH�WKH�V\PEROV�DQG�SUD[LV�LQ�3DXO¶V�ZRUOG"�7KH�-HZV�IRFXVHG�RQ�7HPSOH��7RUDK��ODQG�� IDPLO\�� ]HDO�� SUD\HU�� DQG� 6FULSWXUH��7KH� ERXQGDU\� PDUNHUV� RI� 6DEEDWK��circumcision, and food laws separated

WKHP� IURP� *HQWLOHV��$OO� RI� WKHVH� PDWWHUV�ZHUH� UHFRQ¿JXUHG� DQG� UHGUDZQ� E\� 3DXO��the temple was the people of God, the land

pointed toward the new creation, the family

RI� $EUDKDP� FRQVLVWHG� RI� ERWK� -HZV� DQG�Gentiles, and the boundary markers of the

7RUDK�ZKLFK�VHSDUDWHG�-HZV�IURP�*HQWLOHV�ZHUH� QR� ORQJHU� LQ� IRUFH�� (YHU\WKLQJ� ZDV�shaped by Paul’s monotheism which

LQFOXGHG�-HVXV�&KULVW�LQ�WKH�LGHQWLW\�RI�*RG��by the election of both Jews and Gentiles in

WKH�FKXUFK�RI�-HVXV�&KULVW��DQG�E\�WKH�KRSH�IRU�D�QHZ�FUHDWLRQ�

:KHQ�LW�FDPH�WR�WKH�SDJDQ�ZRUOG��3DXO�WDXJKW�WKDW� LGROV�ZHUH� GHKXPDQL]LQJ� DQG� UREEHG�KXPDQ� OLIH� RI� LWV� IXOOQHVV�� (YHQ� WKRXJK�Paul doesn’t mention the Roman Empire

VSHFL¿FDOO\��KLV� IRFXV�RQ� WKH�RQH�*RG��RQ�his rule over the world in Jesus, on Jesus

as the true son of God, and on the church

DV�WKH�WUXH�,VUDHO��VXEYHUWHG�WKH�SUHWHQVLRQV�RI� HPSLUH�� ,Q� SDUWLFXODU�� WKH� FKXUFK� LQ� LWV�holiness, unity, and witness stands out

DV� WKH� FHQWUDO� V\PERO� RI� 3DXO¶V� WKRXJKW��

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Paul trumpeted the one family of God,

WKH� WUXH� WHPSOH� LQ� WKH�ZRUOG�� �7KH�FKXUFK�is one because it is incorporated in Jesus

WKH�0HVVLDK��ZKR�DV�WKH�FUXFL¿HG�DQG�ULVHQ�RQH� UHSUHVHQWV� UHQHZHG� ,VUDHO�� VR� WKDW� DOO�ZKR�DUH�LQ�&KULVW�EHORQJ�WR�,VUDHO��%DSWLVP�DQG� WKH� /RUG¶V� 6XSSHU� FRPPXQLFDWH� WKDW�believers are new exodus people, those who

have been freed from exile, and hence they

are one because they are

XQLWHG�ZLWK�-HVXV�&KULVW�

:ULJKW� HPSKDVL]HV� WKH�importance of narrative

LQ�3DXO¶V�WKRXJKW��7KRVH�who see Paul as an

apocalyptic thinker are

suspicious, thinking that

a smooth and unbroken

narrative is imposed on

Paul’s theology, for the

theology of the cross is

full of disruptions and

VXUSULVHV��:ULJKW�LQVLVWV��however, that a storied

narrative doesn’t rule

out apocalyptic, for the

story contains ups and

GRZQV�� DGYDQFHV� DQG� VHWEDFNV�� 7KH� 2OG�7HVWDPHQW�ORRNV�IRUZDUG�WR�D�QHZ�FUHDWLRQ��WR� WKH� IXO¿OOPHQW� RI� *RG¶V� SURPLVHV�� WR�God making the world what it should have

EHHQ� VR� ORQJ� DJR��+XPDQ� EHLQJV�ZHUH� WR�rule the world for God, but they rebelled

DQG�IDLOHG�WR�UHDOL]H�WKH�SXUSRVH�IRU�ZKLFK�

WKH\� ZHUH� PDGH�� 6WLOO�� WKH� JRDO� ZDV� QRW�withdrawn, for God promised that his rule

over the world would become a reality

through human beings, and then everything

ZRXOG� EH� DV� LW� VKRXOG� EH�� +XPDQ� EHLQJV�weren’t simply made to have fellowship

with God; they were created to reign over

the new creation, to exercise creaturely

UHVSRQVLELOLW\�DV�*RG¶V�YLFH�UHJHQWV��-HVXV�&KULVW�KDV�FRPH�WR�IXO¿OO�WKH� VWRU\� RI� ,VUDHO�� WR�bring to pass what God

intended when he called

$EUDKDP��E\�VHWWLQJ�WKH�ZRUOG�ULJKW�DJDLQ��

,VUDHO� ZDV� FDOOHG� E\�God as the solution to

WKH� KXPDQ� SUREOHP��,VUDHO� KDG� D� YRFDWLRQ�DQG�D�WDVN�WR�IXO¿OO��EXW�it failed in that task, for

,VUDHO�WRR�ZDV�LQ�$GDP��6R��WKH�LVVXH�IRU�,VUDHO�LV�not so much whether it

was saved but its failure

to carry out the vocation

HQWUXVWHG�WR�LW��6WLOO��WKH�PLVVLRQ� RI� ,VUDHO� LV� QRW� DEDQGRQHG�� *RG�IXO¿OOV�KLV�SURPLVH�WR�,VUDHO�WKURXJK�-HVXV�DV�WKH�IDLWKIXO�0HVVLDK��$V�WKH�WUXH�,VUDHO��-HVXV�IXO¿OOV�,VUDHO¶V�YRFDWLRQ��VKRZLQJ�WKDW�KH� LV� WKH� WUXH�DQG� ODVW�$GDP�� WKH� WUXH�DQG�QHZ� ,VUDHO�� 6R�� WKH� IXQGDPHQWDO� LVVXH� IRU�3DXO� LVQ¶W� KRZ� RQH� ¿QGV� D� JUDFLRXV�*RG��

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but how the curse of exile can be removed

VR� WKDW� ,VUDHO� �DQG� WKH� ZKROH� ZRUOG�� FDQ�REWDLQ� WKH� SURPLVH� RI� D� QHZ� FUHDWLRQ��God’s faithfulness to his creation and to

his covenant promises becomes a reality

WKURXJK� -HVXV� DV� WKH� FUXFL¿HG� DQG� ULVHQ�/RUG�

2QH� ZD\� WR� LGHQWLI\� ZKDW� LV� JRLQJ� RQ� LQ�3DXO¶V�ZRUOG�LV�WR�DVN�TXHVWLRQV��DQG�:ULJKW�SXWV�WKLV�WR�JRRG�XVH��DVNLQJ��:KR�DUH�ZH"�:KHUH�DUH�ZH"�:KDW¶V�ZURQJ"�:KDW¶V�WKH�VROXWLRQ"�:KDW� WLPH� LV� LW"� 6R�� KRZ� GRHV�:ULJKW�DQVZHU�WKHVH�TXHULHV"�:KR�DUH�ZH"�

:H�DUH�EHOLHYHUV�ZKR�DUH�LQFRUSRUDWHG�LQWR�-HVXV��WKH�WUXH�,VUDHO��WKH�FLUFXPFLVLRQ��WKH�new temple indwelt by the Spirit, and the

RQH�IDPLO\�RI�$EUDKDP��:KHUH�DUH�ZH"�:H�are in the good world God created where

-HVXV�UHLJQV�DV�/RUG��WKRXJK�HYLO�DQG�VRUURZ�DUH�QRW�\HW�YDQTXLVKHG��:KDW¶V�ZURQJ��DQG�ZKDW¶V� WKH� VROXWLRQ"� 7KHUH� DUH� HQHPLHV��GHPRQV��IDOVH�WHDFKHUV��&DHVDU��DQG�GHDWK��7KH� VROXWLRQ� LV� WKH� 6SLULW�� UHVXUUHFWLRQ��SUD\HU��DQG�*RG¶V�¿QDO�UXOH�DQG�MXGJPHQW��:KDW�WLPH�LV�LW"�,W�LV�WKH�DOUHDG\�EXW�QRW�\HW��*RG�UHLJQV� LQ�&KULVW��EXW� WKH�¿QDO�YLFWRU\�KDVQ¶W�EHHQ�DFFRPSOLVKHG�

PAUL’S THEOLOGY

3DXO� QHHGHG� WR� GR� WKHRORJ\�� VD\V�:ULJKW��because his worldview was radically

GLIIHUHQW� IURP� ERWK� -HZV� DQG� SDJDQV��7KHRORJ\� ZDV� QHFHVVDU\� WR� VXVWDLQ� WKH�church in its unity and holiness, and the

need for theology leads to volume two

ZKHUH� :ULJKW� XQSDFNV� 3DXO¶V� WKHRORJ\�under the themes of monotheism, election,

and eschatology, reworking each theme in

relationship to Jesus as Messiah and the

6SLULW��:ULJKW�PDLQWDLQV� WKDW� WKH� FRPPRQ�polarities in Pauline theology are integrated

when we rightly grasp the narrative and

VWRU\� FKDUDFWHUL]LQJ� KLV� WKRXJKW�� DQG� WKXV�apocalyptic shouldn’t be played off against

salvation history, nor is the forensic opposed

WRIGHT EMPHASIZES THE IMPORTANCE OF NARRATIVE IN PAUL’S THOUGHT. THOSE WHO SEE PAUL AS AN APOCALYPTIC THINKER ARE SUSPICIOUS, THINKING THAT A SMOOTH AND UNBROKEN NARRATIVE IS IMPOSED ON PAUL’S THEOLOGY, FOR THE THEOLOGY OF THE CROSS IS FULL OF DISRUPTIONS AND SURPRISES. WRIGHT INSISTS, HOWEVER, THAT A STORIED NARRATIVE DOESN’T RULE OUT APOCALYPTIC, FOR THE STORY CONTAINS UPS AND DOWNS, ADVANCES AND SETBACKS.

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WR� WKH� WUDQVIRUPDWLRQDO� DQG� SDUWLFLSDWRU\��$OO� WKHVH� WKHPHV� ¿W� LQWR� WKH� ODUJHU� VWRU\�RI�3DXO¶V�FRYHQDQW�WKHRORJ\��3DXO�EHOLHYHG�his theology or philosophy was superior

to paganism because it truly led to human

ÀRXULVKLQJ��DQG�-HVXV¶�ORUGVKLS�SXW�WKH�OLH�WR�&DHVDU¶V�FODLP�WR�EH�WKH�ZRUOG¶V�WUXH�ORUG��

Monotheism

Monotheism was central to the Jewish

worldview for it confesses the goodness of

the world and the evil of idolatry, showing

WKDW�GXDOLVP�LV�D�IDOVH�SDWK��'HPRQV�WU\�WR�lure people away from the one true God,

but they can never bring to the world the

SHDFH�DQG�MR\�IRU�ZKLFK�LW�ORQJV��

)RU� 3DXO�� PRQRWKHLVP� LV� UHGUDZQ� DURXQG�-HVXV� ZKR� VKDUHV� *RG¶V� LGHQWLW\�� (DUO\�&KULVWLDQV� EHOLHYHG� WKDW� -HVXV� ZDV�HTXDO� ZLWK� *RG� EXW� ZHUH� DOVR� ¿HUFHO\�PRQRWKHLVWLF�� -HVXV¶� HTXDOLW\� ZLWK� *RG�wasn’t fundamentally apparent from his

claiming to be the Son of Man or even from

WKH� 'DPDVFXV� 5RDG� HQFRXQWHU�� 1RU� ZDV�Jesus’ divinity grasped from experiences

ZLWK�-HVXV�DV�WKH�ULVHQ�/RUG�LQ�ZRUVKLS�DV�+XUWDGR� SURSRVHV�� %DXFNKDP� LV� FRUUHFW�in saying that the pathway to understand

Jesus is not through anticipations of the

LQFDUQDWLRQ� LQ� H[DOWHG� SHUVRQV� RU� DQJHOV��Jesus’ inclusion in the identity of God was

SUHVHQW�IURP�WKH�EHJLQQLQJ��EHIRUH�DQ\�17�GRFXPHQWV� ZHUH� ZULWWHQ�� ,QGHHG�� -HVXV¶�identity with God was never controversial

RU� GHEDWHG��:ULJKW� SURSRVHV� LQ� SDUWLFXODU�that the divine identity of Jesus was apparent

EHFDXVH�KH�IXO¿OOHG�WKH�27�SURPLVH�WKDW�*RG�would return to Zion, that he would come

WR� KLV� WHPSOH�� &KULVWLDQV�UHFRJQL]HG� WKDW� LQ� -HVXV¶�death and resurrection,

God had indeed returned to

=LRQ��+H�KDG�UHGHHPHG�KLV�SHRSOH�MXVW�DV�KH�SURPLVHG��He has come to dwell and

reside with his people in

-HVXV�WKH�0HVVLDK�

7KH�GLYLQH�LGHQWLW\�RI�-HVXV�LV�DOVR�DSSDUHQW�IURP� KLV� VRQVKLS�� IURP� ��&RULQWKLDQV� ����ZKHUH� WKH� 6KHPD� LV� UHGH¿QHG� WR� LQFOXGH�Jesus, and from Jesus being the wisdom of

*RG��&RO�������������-HVXV�LV�DOVR�LGHQWL¿HG�DV�WKH�/RUG�RU�N\ULRV�RI�WKH�27��DQG�HYHQ�DV�*RG� LQ� 5RPDQV� �����7KUHH� IDFWRUV� OHG�WR�D�KLJK�FKULVWRORJ\��DFFRUGLQJ�WR�:ULJKW��WKRXJK� QRQH� ZDV� VXI¿FLHQW� LQ� LWVHOI� WR�EULQJ�DERXW�WKLV�UHVXOW�����LQ�-HVXV�WKH�/RUG�UHWXUQHG�WR�=LRQ�����-HVXV¶�PHVVLDQLF�LGHQWLW\�ZDV�FRQ¿UPHG�E\�KLV�UHVXUUHFWLRQ�IURP�WKH�

PAUL NEEDED TO DO THEOLOGY, SAYS WRIGHT, BECAUSE HIS WORLDVIEW WAS RADICALLY DIFFERENT FROM BOTH JEWS AND PAGANS. THEOLOGY WAS NECESSARY TO SUSTAIN THE CHURCH IN ITS UNITY AND HOLINESS.

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GHDG��DQG����-HVXV¶�SHUVRQDO�SUHVHQFH�ZLWK�KLV�SHRSOH�LQ�D�QHZ�PRGH��

,Q�D�VLPLODU�ZD\��WKH�6SLULW�ZDV�XQGHUVWRRG�within the divine identity, so that the

UHÀHFWLRQV� RI� WKH� HDUO\� FKXUFK� IDWKHUV� RQ�the Spirit are fundamentally correct, even if

WKH\�DUH�FORWKHG�LQ�*UHHN�SKLORVRSK\��7KH�Spirit dwells with his people, empowers

them, and strengthens them to worship

DQG�WR�OLYH�LQ�D�ZD\�WKDW�SOHDVHV�*RG��*RG�returned to the temple in the Spirit, and his

glorious presence became a reality through

WKH�6SLULW��7KH�XQLW\�RI�WKH�FKXUFK��WKHQ��LV�DOVR�WKH�ZRUN�RI�WKH�6SLULW�

Much discussion has poured forth on Paul’s

understanding of the human dilemma: did

the plight precede the solution, or did Paul

see the solution and then argue for the plight?

:ULJKW�VD\V� WKHUH� LV� WUXWK�LQ�ERWK�QRWLRQV��&HUWDLQO\�3DXO�DOUHDG\�VDZ�D�SUREOHP�VLQFH�WKH� SURPLVHV� ZHUHQ¶W� IXO¿OOHG� DQG� ,VUDHO�ZDV� VWLOO� LQ� H[LOH�� &OHDUO\� VRPHWKLQJ� ZDV�ZURQJ� LQ� ,VUDHO��$W� WKH� VDPH� WLPH�� 3DXO¶V�UHFRJQLWLRQ� RQ� WKH� 'DPDVFXV� 5RDG� WKDW�-HVXV�ZDV� WKH�FUXFL¿HG�0HVVLDK�SURYRNHG�KLP�WR�UHDVVHVV�WKH�SOLJKW�RI�,VUDHO��+H�QRZ�perceived in a deeper and more profound

ZD\�WKDW�,VUDHO�ZDV�DOVR�LQ�$GDP��WKDW�,VUDHO�ZDV�DOVR�FDSWLYH�WR�WKH�SRZHU�RI�VLQ��:ULJKW�warns that such a reading doesn’t capitulate

to the old perspective where salvation

is merely from sin so that those who are

VDYHG�JR�WR�KHDYHQ�LQ�WKH�HQG��,QVWHDG��WKH�

promise is a new creation, a new world

that is transformed as a testimony of God’s

IDLWKIXOQHVV� WR� WKH� ZRUOG� KH� KDV� PDGH��$ORQJ�WKHVH�VDPH�OLQHV��WKH�UHVXUUHFWLRQ�RI�-HVXV�SRLQWHG�WR� WKH�SOLJKW�RI�,VUDHO�� IRU� LW�UHYHDOHG�WKH�IXWXUH�GHVWLQ\��DQG�KHQFH�WKH�SUHVHQW�GH¿FLHQF\��DZDLWLQJ�WKH�SHRSOH�RI�*RG�� ,Q� RWKHU� ZRUGV�� WKH� XOWLPDWH� HQHP\�was death, not the Gentiles, nor even the

5RPDQ�HPSLUH��7KH�WUDQVIRUPLQJ�ZRUN�RI�the Spirit in the new covenant also unveils

the cancer in the heart of human beings,

for the Spirit’s life-changing work reveals

,VUDHO¶V� VSLULWXDO� SRYHUW\� DSDUW� IURP� WKH�6SLULW�

Election

,I�,VUDHO� LV�DV�EDG�RII�DV� WKH�*HQWLOHV�� LI� LW�too is vitiated by idolatry and self-serving,

ZKDW�EHFRPHV�RI�,VUDHO¶V�HOHFWLRQ��RI�*RG¶V�SURPLVH�WKDW�,VUDHO�ZRXOG�EH�WKH�PHDQV�E\�ZKLFK� WKH�ZRUOG� LV� WUDQVIRUPHG"� ,Q� XVLQJ�the word election the focus is on the purpose

RI�,VUDHO¶V�HOHFWLRQ��WKH�SURPLVH�WKDW�,VUDHO�would be the means of blessing for the

HQWLUH� ZRUOG�� $EUDKDP�� LQ� RWKHU� ZRUGV��was called to undo the curses introduced

LQWR�WKH�ZRUOG�E\�$GDP��7KDW�ZDV�,VUDHO¶V�FRPPLVVLRQ�� WKDW� ZDV� ,VUDHO¶V� WDVN�� ,VUDHO�was to be the people of the one true God,

ORYLQJ� KLP� ZLWK� DOO� WKHLU� KHDUW� DQG� VRXO��,Q� LWV� REHGLHQFH� WR� 7RUDK�� ,VUDHO� ZDV� WR�VKRZ�WKDW�LW�ZDV�VKDSHG�E\�*RG¶V�ZLVGRP��,VUDHO� ZDV� WKH� SHRSOH� DPRQJ� ZKRP� *RG�

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CONTENTS

GZHOW�LQ�WKH�WDEHUQDFOH�DQG�WKH�WHPSOH��$V�*RG¶V� HOHFW� DQG� VDYHG� SHRSOH�� ,VUDHO� ZDV�WR� EH� D� EOHVVLQJ� WR� WKH� ZRUOG��:KDW� *RG�FRPPDQGHG�$GDP�WR�GR�ZDV�SURPLVHG� WR�$EUDKDP�� 7KH� FRYHQDQW� ZLWK� $EUDKDP�SURPLVHV� VDOYDWLRQ� IRU� ,VUDHO�� D� VDOYDWLRQ�WKDW�JRHV�IURP�,VUDHO�WR�WKH�ZRUOG��

God’s righteousness is his faithfulness to

his covenant, but God is not only faithful

to the covenant but also to creation, to his

creational intentions in manifesting his

ULJKWHRXVQHVV�� *RG¶V� ULJKWHRXVQHVV�� KLV�FRYHQDQW�IDLWKIXOQHVV��WHVWL¿HV�WKDW�KH�ZLOO�IXO¿OO�KLV�SURPLVH�RI�D�QHZ�H[RGXV��EXW�KLV�righteousness also includes his covenant

MXVWLFH��KLV�SXQLVKPHQW�RI�WKRVH�ZKR�ÀRXW�KLV� ODZ�� *RG¶V� FRYHQDQW� IDLWKIXOQHVV�� KLV�righteousness, can’t be equated with his

mercy, his steadfast love, or salvation, even

WKRXJK�LW�LQFOXGHV�DOO�WKHVH�QRWLRQV�

:ULJKW� DOVR� FRQVLGHUV� KHUH� WKH� LVVXH� RI�supersessionism regarding the election

RI� WKH� SHRSOH� RI� *RG�� +H� FDWHJRULFDOO\�rejects such an idea, for

calling Paul’s theology

supersessionist is as silly

as calling the Qumran

community’s theology

supersessionist when they

saw themselves as the new

,VUDHO�� 1R�� 3DXO� EHOLHYHG�his theology of election

UHSUHVHQWHG�D�IXO¿OOPHQW�RI�

ZKDW�*RG�SURPLVHG�LQ�WKH�27��

)RU� 3DXO� WKH� HOHFWLRQ� RI� ,VUDHO� LV� IXO¿OOHG�LQ�-HVXV��IRU�-HVXV�LV�WKH�WUXH�,VUDHO��:ULJKW�maintains that monotheism and election

ERWK�PHHW�LQ�WKH�SHUVRQ�RI�-HVXV��7KH�ZRUG�³&KULVW´�RU�³0HVVLDK´�LQ�3DXO�SOD\V�D�PDMRU�role, and Paul never forgets the messianic

VLJQL¿FDQFH�RI� WKH�ZRUG�� ,W� LVQ¶W�PHUHO\�D�WLWOH�ZKLFK�LV�WDFNHG�RQ�WR�WKH�ZRUG�³-HVXV�´�7KH�UR\DO�PHDQLQJ�VWLOO�UHVRQDWHV�ZLWK�3DXO��and thus the people of God are incorporated

LQWR�-HVXV�DV�0HVVLDK��7KLV�LV�ZKHUH�WKH�³LQ�&KULVW´�ODQJXDJH�FRPHV�LQ��7KH�YRFDWLRQ�RI�,VUDHO�KDV�EHHQ�UHDOL]HG�LQ�-HVXV��DQG�WKRVH�who believe in Jesus are incorporated into

KLP��WKH\�DUH�WKH�WUXH�IDPLO\�RI�$EUDKDP��7KH�SURPLVHV�PDGH�WR�,VUDHO�DUH�IXO¿OOHG�LQ�Jesus’ death and resurrection since he has

FRQTXHUHG�GHDWK�DQG�DOO�*RG¶V�HQHPLHV��6R��-HVXV� LV� WKH�IDLWKIXO�0HVVLDK�RI�,VUDHO�� WKH�one through whom God has shown himself

WR�EH�IDLWKIXO�WR�KLV�FRYHQDQW�SURPLVHV�

:ULJKW� DUJXHV� WKDW� WKH� IXQGDPHQWDO�LQGLFWPHQW� DJDLQVW� ,VUDHO� LQ� 5RPDQV� �����WKHQ��LV�QRW�WKDW�WKH\�DUH�VLQQHUV��WKRXJK�KH�DOVR�DUJXHV�WKDW� WKH\�DUH�VLQQHUV���EXW� WKDW�they have been faithless to their vocation,

WKDW�WKH\�KDYHQ¶W�IXO¿OOHG�WKHLU�FRPPLVVLRQ��-HVXV� VWDQGV� LQ� FRQWUDVW� WR� ,VUDHO� DV� WKH�IDLWKIXO�0HVVLDK��DV� WKH� WUXH� ,VUDHOLWH�ZKR�KDV�EHHQ�REHGLHQW� WR� WKH�/RUG¶V� YRFDWLRQ��:ULJKW� DUJXHV�� WKHQ�� WKDW� WKH� ³IDLWK� RI�-HVXV�&KULVW´� SKUDVHV� DUHQ¶W� REMHFWLYH� EXW�

What is “Supersessionism”?

Supersessionism is the notion that the promises to Israel have been fulfilled in the church.— Thomas Schreiner

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CONTENTS

subjective, denoting the faithfulness of

-HVXV��*RG�KDV�EHHQ�IDLWKIXO�WR�KLV�FRYHQDQW�to bless his people and the world through

WKH�IDLWKIXOQHVV�RI�-HVXV�DV�WKH�0HVVLDK��

5RPDQV� �� LV� RIWHQ� ZURQJO\� UHDG�� VD\V�:ULJKW�� DV� LI� LW� WHDFKHV� WKDW� $EUDKDP� LV�an example of how one gets saved, but

the fundamental issue in the chapter is

WKH� FRPSRVLWLRQ� RI� $EUDKDP¶V� IDPLO\��Paul considers who are the true covenant

members, so he discusses whether one has

to accept the identity markers and badges

of Jewishness like circumcision to belong

WR�WKH�SHRSOH�RI�*RG��7KH�ZDJHV�RU�UHZDUG�LQ�5RPDQV�����LVQ¶W�DERXW�ZRUNLQJ�WR�HDUQ�VDOYDWLRQ�EXW�KHDUNHQV�EDFN�WR�*HQHVLV����ZKHUH�WKH�UHZDUG�JUDQWHG�WR�$EUDKDP�LV�WKH�offspring, the people of God promised to

KLP�� -XVWLI\LQJ� WKH� XQJRGO\� GRHVQ¶W� UHIHU�WR� WKH� YLQGLFDWLRQ� RI�$EUDKDP� EXW� WR� WKH�GHFODUDWLRQ�WKDW�WKH�QDWLRQV�DUH�LQ�WKH�ULJKW�

,W� LV� FOHDU� IURP�*DODWLDQV� ��� VD\V�:ULJKW��that the same issue is paramount, for there

the whole discussion is whether Jewish and

*HQWLOH�&KULVWLDQV�FDQ�HDW�DW�WKH�VDPH�WDEOH��So, the primary issue relates to covenant

PHPEHUVKLS�� DQG� KHQFH� MXVWL¿FDWLRQ� KDV�to do with whether one is a covenant

PHPEHU�LQ�WKH�SHRSOH�RI�*RG��,QGHHG��WKH�IXQGDPHQWDO� LVVXH� LQ� *DODWLDQV� �� LV� ZKR�EHORQJV� WR� $EUDKDP¶V� IDPLO\�� ZKR� DUH�$EUDKDP¶V� RIIVSULQJ�� *DODWLDQV� ��� WKHQ��

doesn’t contrast grace or

law, nor does it engage in a

SROHPLF�DJDLQVW�OHJDOLVP��:KDW� FRQFHUQHG� 3DXO�is the single family of

God incorporated into

-HVXV�DV�0HVVLDK��:ULJKW�DOVR� HPSKDVL]HV� WKDW� WKH�legal and participatory

language, the apocalyptic

and salvation-historical,

DUH� MRLQHG� WRJHWKHU�� 3DXO�doesn’t see them as opposed but coming to

IXO¿OOPHQW�LQ�-HVXV�WKH�FUXFL¿HG�DQG�ULVHQ�/RUG�

:ULJKW�UHMHFWV�LPSXWDWLRQ�LQ���&RULQWKLDQV������� D� YHUVH� ZKLFK� LV� RIWHQ� DSSHDOHG� WR�LQ�GHIHQVH�RI� WKH� WHDFKLQJ��+H�¿QGV� WKUHH�SUREOHPV� ZLWK� VXFK� DQ� LQWHUSUHWDWLRQ�� ���the text speaks of God’s righteousness,

QRW� &KULVW¶V�� ��� 3DXO� GRHVQ¶W� VD\� WKDW�righteousness is reckoned or imputed

WR� XV� EXW� VD\V� ZH� ³EHFRPH´� *RG¶V�

WRIGHT ARGUES THAT THE FUNDAMENTAL INDICTMENT AGAINST ISRAEL IN ROMANS 2-3, THEN, IS NOT THAT THEY ARE SINNERS �7+28*+�+(�$/62�$5*8(6�7+$7�7+(<�$5(�6,11(56���%87�7+$7�7+(<�+$9(�%((1�FAITHLESS TO THEIR VOCATION, THAT THEY HAVEN’T FULFILLED THEIR COMMISSION.

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ULJKWHRXVQHVV��7KH�YHUEDO�ODQJXDJH�KDUGO\�¿WV�ZLWK� LPSXWDWLRQ�����3DXO�GLVFXVVHV�KLV�own ministry here, and hence it doesn’t

¿W� WR� LQMHFW� WKH� LGHD� RI� LPSXWDWLRQ� LQWR�WKH� FRQWH[W��:KDW� 3DXO� WHDFKHV� LQVWHDG� LV�that the covenant faithfulness of God is

HPERGLHG�LQ�KLV�PLQLVWU\�DV�DQ�DSRVWOH�

2QH� RI� WKH� IHDWXUHV� RI� :ULJKW¶V� YLHZ� LV�WKDW�WKH�7RUDK�ZDV�JLYHQ�VR�WKDW�VLQ�ZRXOG�JURZ�WR� LWV� IXOO�H[WHQW��7KXV�VLQ�ZRXOG�EH�FRQGHPQHG�DQG�GHIHDWHG�LQ�,VUDHO��6LQ�ZDV�

FRQGHPQHG� LQ� ,VUDHO¶V� UHSUHVHQWDWLYH²-HVXV�WKH�0HVVLDK��7KH�VDFUL¿FH�RI�&KULVW�KDV�many dimensions; he is the representative,

VXEVWLWXWH�� VDFUL¿FH�� DQG� &KULVWXV� 9LFWRU��7KURXJK�KLV�IDLWKIXO�REHGLHQFH�DV�WKH�WUXH�$GDP�DQG�WUXH�,VUDHO��-HVXV�IUHHG�KLV�SHRSOH�IURP�VLQ��-HVXV�IXO¿OOV�ZKDW�ZH�¿QG�LQ�WKH�27�DV�*RG¶V� VRQ�� VHUYDQW��NLQJ�� DQG�HOHFW�RQH�

-XVWL¿FDWLRQ�ZDVQ¶W� D�PDMRU� WKHPH� LQ�¿UVW�FHQWXU\� -XGDLVP� DFFRUGLQJ� WR� :ULJKW��Paul reshaped and rethought the theme

because of inaugurated eschatology, a new

GH¿QLWLRQ� RI� WKH� SOLJKW� RI� ,VUDHO�� WKH� QHZ�work of the Spirit, and the equality of Jews

DQG�*HQWLOHV�LQ�WKH�SHRSOH�RI�*RG��+HQFH��the fundamental question wasn’t how to get

VDYHG��IRU�VDOYDWLRQ�DQG�MXVWL¿FDWLRQ�GRQ¶W�PHDQ�WKH�VDPH�WKLQJ��*RG�ZLOO�UHFWLI\�DQG�solve the problems of the world through

the covenant, so that the sin, idolatry and

FRUUXSWLRQ�RI�WKH�ZRUOG�ZLOO�EH�PDGH�ULJKW��2Q� WKH� ODVW� GD\� WKH� ZKROH� ZRUOG� ZLOO� EH�made right, those who belong to God will

be made right through the resurrection, and

the resurrection of believers will constitute

WKHLU� ¿QDO� YLQGLFDWLRQ��7KH� FRYHQDQW�ZLWK�$EUDKDP� ZLOO� WKHQ� EH� IXO¿OOHG� IRU� DOO�FUHDWLRQ��7KHUHE\�*RG�ZLOO�EH�IDLWKIXO�WR�KLV�covenant and to creation, and hence the two

VKRXOG�QRW�EH�VHSDUDWHG�IURP�RQH�DQRWKHU��7KH� ¿QDO� MXGJPHQW� ZLOO� EH� DFFRUGLQJ� WR�the life one has lived; it will be a judgment

EDVHG�RQ�ZRUNV��6WLOO��WKH�MXGJPHQW�RI�WKH�

JUSTIFICATION WASN’T A MAJOR THEME IN FIRST

CENTURY JUDAISM ACCORDING TO WRIGHT. PAUL RESHAPED AND RETHOUGHT THE THEME

BECAUSE OF INAUGURATED ESCHATOLOGY, A NEW

DEFINITION OF THE PLIGHT OF ISRAEL, THE NEW WORK OF

THE SPIRIT, AND THE EQUALITY OF JEWS AND GENTILES IN

THE PEOPLE OF GOD. HENCE, THE FUNDAMENTAL QUESTION

WASN’T HOW TO GET SAVED, FOR SALVATION AND JUSTIFICATION DON’T MEAN

THE SAME THING.

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CONTENTS

last day is declared in advance, so that

&KULVWLDQV� DUH� QRZ� GHFODUHG� WR� EH� LQ� WKH�ULJKW��

-XVWL¿FDWLRQ�LV�QRW�WUDQVIRUPDWLYH�EXW�FUHDWHV�RU�FRQIHUV�D�VWDWXV��7KH�MXGJH¶V�GHFODUDWLRQ�DFWXDOO\�FUHDWHV�D�QHZ�VWDWXV��,W�LV�D�VSHHFK�DFW��MXVW�DV�D�ERVV�VD\LQJ�³\RX�DUH�¿UHG´�RU�D� PLQLVWHU� VD\LQJ�� ³\RX� DUH� KXVEDQG� DQG�ZLIH´�FUHDWHV�D�QHZ�VWDWXV��(YHQ�LI�VRPHRQH�was notoriously wicked, the new status

declared by God as the divine judge creates

D� QHZ� UHDOLW\�� -XVWL¿FDWLRQ� GRHVQ¶W� RFFXU�because of a character change in the human

EHLQJ��$�SHUVRQ� LV� LQ� WKH� ULJKW�EHFDXVH�RI�God’s verdict, the sovereign announcement

DQG�GHFODUDWLRQ�RI�WKH�FRYHQDQW�*RG��

:KHQ� 3DXO� UHÀHFWV� RQ� MXVWL¿FDWLRQ��KH� IRFXVHV� RQ� WKH� IXO¿OOPHQW� RI� *RG¶V�promises to his people in

DFFRUG�ZLWK�KLV�FRYHQDQW��7KH� GHFODUDWLRQ� RI�righteousness is based on

Jesus’ resurrection, and

thus those incorporated in

him are declared to be in

WKH�ULJKW��$QG�DV�D�UHVXOW�of this declaration they are permanently in

the right, for the declaration in the present

anticipates the announcement that will be

XWWHUHG� RQ� WKH� ¿QDO� GD\��:ULJKW� VD\V� WKDW�the work of the Spirit doesn’t contribute to

LQLWLDO�RU�¿QDO�MXVWL¿FDWLRQ��WKRVH�ZKR�ORRN�DZD\� IURP� WKHPVHOYHV� DQG� WUXVW� LQ�&KULVW�

ZLOO� EH� MXVWL¿HG�� 6WLOO�� MXVWL¿FDWLRQ� LV� QRW�DERXW� KRZ� RQH� EHFRPHV� D� &KULVWLDQ� EXW�centers on the verdict that will be received

RQ� WKH� ¿QDO� GD\�� 2I� FRXUVH�� WKLV� YHUGLFW�has already been announced and applies

to both Jews and Gentiles who believe in

WKH�JRVSHO��7KRVH�GHFODUHG�WR�EH�LQ�WKH�ULJKW�are a single family, and that is the central

PHVVDJH�3DXO�ZDQWHG� WR� FRPPXQLFDWH�� ,Q�*DODWLDQV���WKH�LVVXH�LV�D�VLQJOH�IDPLO\��QRW�KRZ�ZH�FDQ�EH�UHVFXHG�IURP�VLQ��

2QH� PLJKW� WKLQN� WKDW� WKRVH� ZKR� DUH�LQFRUSRUDWHG� LQ� &KULVW� DUH� LPSXWHG� WR� EH�ULJKWHRXV�� EXW� WKLV� ODQJXDJH�� VD\V�:ULJKW��LV�QRQ�3DXOLQH�� ,QVWHDG��EHOLHYHUV� VKDUH� LQ�WKH�GHDWK�DQG�UHVXUUHFWLRQ�RI�-HVXV�&KULVW��&KULVWLDQV� VWDQG� LQ� WKH� ULJKW� EHFDXVH� RI�WKHLU� IDLWK� LQ�&KULVW��EHFDXVH� WKH\� OHDQ�RQ�ZKDW�KH�KDV�GRQH��6XFK�IDLWK�LV�LWVHOI�*RG¶V�

ZRUN��+HQFH��&KULVWLDQ�DVVXUDQFH�GHSHQGV�on the death and resurrection of Jesus, on a

ZRUN�WKDW�OLHV�RXWVLGH�RQHVHOI���6WLOO��:ULJKW�rejects the language of alien righteousness

VLQFH� LW� VHSDUDWHV� 3KLOLSSLDQV� ���� IURP�3KLOLSSLDQV�����

ONE MIGHT THINK THAT THOSE WHO ARE INCORPORATED IN CHRIST ARE IMPUTED TO

BE RIGHTEOUS, BUT THIS LANGUAGE SAYS WRIGHT, IS NON-PAULINE.

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,Q� 3KLOLSSLDQV� �� 3DXO� FOHDUO\� IRFXVHV�on covenant membership, according to

:ULJKW�� VLQFH� KH� GRHVQ¶W� WDON� DERXW� VLQ��WKH� FXUVH�RI� WKH� ODZ��RU� VDOYDWLRQ��6R�� WKH�issue isn’t salvation or trying to earn right-

standing with God but membership in the

FRYHQDQW� SHRSOH�� 7KH� ULJKWHRXVQHVV� IURP�*RG�LQ�3KLOLSSLDQV�����FDQ¶W�EH�FRQIXVHG�RU�LGHQWL¿HG�ZLWK�WKH�ULJKWHRXVQHVV�RI�*RG�LQ�5RPDQV�������IRU�LQ�WKH�ODWWHU�WH[W�LW�UHIHUV�to God’s covenant faithfulness, but in

Philippians he considers one’s status before

*RG�

Election is reconstituted via the Messiah,

and those who belong to Jesus, those who

are incorporated into the Messiah, are the

HOHFW��6LPLODUO\��WKRVH�ZKR�DUH�WUDQVIRUPHG�E\�WKH�6SLULW�DUH�RQH�IDPLO\�

Eschatology

:ULJKW� WKHQ� WXUQV� WR� WKH� WKLUG�PDLQ� SLOODU�of Paul’s theology: eschatology, arguing

WKDW� ,VUDHO¶V� HVFKDWRORJ\� JUHZ� RXW� RI�

LWV� PRQRWKHLVP� DQG� HOHFWLRQ�� ,Q� WKH�UHVXUUHFWLRQ�RI�-HVXV��,VUDHO�LV�UHGH¿QHG��+H� EULHÀ\� GLVFXVVHV� WKH� UHWXUQ� RI� -HVXV�where heaven and earth will be one and

judgment will be meted out to those who

GLVREH\��%HOLHYHUV�OLYH�LQ�WKH�DOUHDG\�EXW�QRW�\HW��EXW�:ULJKW�UHMHFWV�WKH�LQGLFDWLYH�imperative distinction, claiming it is a

GHP\WKRORJL]DWLRQ� RU� HYHQ� SHUKDSV� D�SROLWLFDO� SDJDQL]LQJ� RI� WKH� UHDOLW\� 3DXO�WDXJKW��

3DXO¶V� VKDUS� ZRUGV� LQ� �� 7KHVVDORQLDQV��������� DUHQ¶W� DQWL�-HZLVK�� EXW� OLPLWHG� WR�-HZV�ZKR� RSSRVHG� WKH� JRVSHO��7KH�ZUDWK�mentioned here isn’t eschatological but

represents the punishment they will receive

LQ�WKLV�OLIH��:ULJKW�UHMHFWV�WKH�WZR�FRYHQDQW�WKHRU\� LQ� 5RPDQV� ������ ZKLFK� VXJJHVWV�that Jews could belong to the people of

*RG� ZLWKRXW� IDLWK� LQ� -HVXV�� ,QVWHDG�� 3DXO�demanded that Jews exercise faith in Jesus

WR� UHFHLYH� HVFKDWRORJLFDO� VDOYDWLRQ�� 3DXO¶V�DUJXPHQW� LQ� WKH� ¿UVW� SDUW� RI� 5RPDQV� ���which has been so controversial in the

history of the church, would not have raised

any objections among Jewish readers, for

they believed they were the elect people of

*RG��%XW�FRQWURYHUV\�ZRXOG�EH�VSDUNHG�E\�Paul’s claim that Gentiles are included in

the people of God, that they are the elect

DV�ZHOO��

7KH� LQWHUSUHWDWLRQ� RI� 5RPDQV� ������ KDV�ORQJ� EHHQ� FRQWHVWHG�� :ULJKW� DUJXHV� WKDW�

WRIGHT SEES THE EMPIRE AND ROME AS A COMPETING STORY TO PAUL’S THEOLOGY, TO PAUL’S CLAIM THAT JESUS IS LORD, AND THUS THE ISSUE OF EMPIRE ISN’T A MINOR ONE. SINCE JESUS IS THE ONE TRUE LORD OF THE WHOLE WORLD, HE HOLDS ROME ACCOUNTABLE FOR WHAT IT HAS DONE.

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³DOO� ,VUDHO´� KHUH� UHIHUV� WR� WKH� FKXUFK� RI�-HVXV�&KULVW��DQG�WKXV�DOO�,VUDHO�EHLQJ�VDYHG�doesn’t prophesy a future salvation for

,VUDHO��:ULJKW�DUJXHV� WKDW� LI�VDOYDWLRQ�ZDV�SURPLVHG�IRU�HWKQLF�,VUDHO��IRU�DOO�,VUDHO�LQ�the future, Gentiles would have concluded

that they could simply sit and wait for God

WR� DFW�� 6XFK� SDVVLYLW\� ÀLHV� LQ� WKH� IDFH� RI�the exhortations which permeate Romans

������ 6HHLQJ� D� UHIHUHQFH� WR� WKH� FKXUFK� RI�-HVXV� &KULVW�� ERWK� -HZ� DQG� *HQWLOH�� ¿WV�with Paul’s ecclesiology generally where

-HZV� DQG� *HQWLOHV� DUH� RQH� LQ� &KULVW�� WKH�FLUFXPFLVLRQ�� WKH� ,VUDHO� RI� *RG�� WKH� RQH�IDPLO\�RI�$EUDKDP�

PAUL’S THEOLOGY APPLIEDTO THE WORLD OF HIS DAY

,Q�FKDSWHUV�������:ULJKW�FRUUHODWHV�3DXO¶V�WKHRORJ\� �KLV� PRQRWKHLVP�� HOHFWLRQ�� DQG�HVFKDWRORJ\�� WR� WKH� WKUHH�ZRUOGV� KH� OLYHG�LQ�� -HZLVK�� *UHHN�� DQG� 5RPDQ�� ,Q� WKH�¿UVW� VHFWLRQ�RI� WKH�ERRN�KH�H[SOLFDWHG� WKH�ideological and cultural context of Paul’s

world, in part two Paul’s worldview is

unpacked, and in part three Paul’s theology is

VHW�IRUWK��:ULJKW�VHHV�WKH�(PSLUH�DQG�5RPH�as a competing story to Paul’s theology, to

3DXO¶V� FODLP� WKDW� -HVXV� LV� /RUG�� DQG� WKXV�WKH�LVVXH�RI�HPSLUH�LVQ¶W�D�PLQRU�RQH��6LQFH�-HVXV� LV� WKH� RQH� WUXH� /RUG� RI� WKH� ZKROH�world, he holds Rome accountable for what

LW�KDV�GRQH��,Q�D�QXPEHU�RI�SODFHV�:ULJKW�VHHV� D� SROHPLF� DJDLQVW� 5RPH��+HQFH�� WKH�SHDFH�DQG�VHFXULW\�RI���7KHVVDORQLDQV�����KDLOV�IURP�5RPH��6LPLODUO\��3DXO�FRQWUDVWV�KHDYHQO\� DQG� HDUWKO\� �5RPDQ�� FLWL]HQVKLS�LQ� 3KLOLSSLDQV� ������ DQG� -HVXV� LV� H[DOWHG�RYHU� &DHVDU� �3KLO�� ������ 3DXO� GRHVQ¶W�commend authorities without reserve in

5RPDQV� ���� IRU� WKH� DXWKRULWLHV� DUH� XQGHU�God’s command and ordination, and thus

WKH\� DUH� DOVR� UHODWLYL]HG� E\� HVFKDWRORJ\��:ULJKW� DFNQRZOHGJHV� WKDW� WKH� SROHPLF�against Rome could be exaggerated, for

Paul does counsel submission to authority

LQVRIDU�DV� LW�SURPRWHV� MXVWLFH��6WLOO��5RPH�ZDV� WKH� IRXUWK� HYLO� HPSLUH� RI� 'DQLHO¶V�vision with an idolatrous story of its own

VXSUHPDF\��6XFK�SUHWHQVLRQV�WR�JORU\�ZHUH�unmasked by Paul, though his critique

against Rome is rather subtle and appears

LQ�FRGHG�ODQJXDJH�

:ULJKW� DOVR� UHÀHFWV� RQ� 3DXO� DQG� UHOLJLRQ��Religion, of course, is a tricky word that

FDQ� EH� GH¿QHG� LQ� D� QXPEHU� RI� GLIIHUHQW�ZD\V�� ,Q� PDQ\� ZD\V� &KULVWLDQLW\� ZDV�radically different from every other

religion, for there was no temple, no

VDFUL¿FH��QR�SULHVWKRRG��QR�RUDFOH��DQG�QR�UHODWLRQVKLS�WR�WKH�FLW\��2Q�WKH�RWKHU�KDQG��3DXO� HPSOR\HG� WKH� ODQJXDJH� RI� VDFUL¿FH��believed God directed his people, consulted

WKH�6FULSWXUHV��SUD\HG��DQG�HPSKDVL]HG�WKH�FKXUFK�DV�D�FRPPXQLW\��%HOLHYHUV�LQ�-HVXV�&KULVW� ZHUH� WKH� QHZ� H[RGXV� FRPPXQLW\�

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CONTENTS

who were initiated into the church through

EDSWLVP�� 7KRVH� EDSWL]HG� DUH� IUHHG� IURP�VLQ� �QHZ�H[RGXV��� DQG�HPSRZHUHG�E\� WKH�+RO\�6SLULW��,Q�D�VLPLODU�ZD\��WKH�(XFKDULVW�proclaims the solidarity and deliverance of

WKH� SHRSOH� RI� *RG�� 3DXO¶V� UHOLJLRQ�� WKHQ��had points of continuity and discontinuity

ZLWK�WKH�FXOWXUH�RI�KLV�GD\�

Paul’s relationship to the philosophies of

KLV�GD\�LV�DOVR�H[SORUHG��,Q�VRPH�ZD\V�3DXO�opposed human philosophy since it fails

WR� XQGHUVWDQG� WKH� FURVV�� %XW� WKDW� GRHVQ¶W�mean that Paul rejected everything from

WKH� +HOOHQLVWLF� ZRUOG�� ,W� KDV� ORQJ� EHHQ�UHFRJQL]HG� LQ� 17� VWXGLHV� WKDW� ZH� GRQ¶W�have a strict separation between Judaism

and Hellenism, for Hellenistic culture

penetrated the Jewish world, though that

doesn’t mean that the distinctiveness of

-XGDLVP�ZDV�ORVW��:KDW�VHWV�-XGDLVP�DSDUW��DPRQJ� RWKHU� WKLQJV�� LV� LWV� QDUUDWLYH�� LWV�construal of what God is doing in the world,

HVSHFLDOO\�LQ�WKH�QHZ�H[RGXV��

:KHQ� ZH� WKLQN� DERXW� SKLORVRSK\�� WKH�TXHVWLRQ�RI�WUXWK�DULVHV��$FFRUGLQJ�WR�3DXO��the failure to see the truth isn’t rooted in

the intellect but in human rebellion, in

WKH� UHIXVDO� WR�VXEPLW� WR�*RG¶V� ORUGVKLS�� ,W�doesn’t follow, however, that Paul refuses

to use arguments and reasons for his

convictions, for he believes that the Spirit

XVHV�VXFK�WR�EULQJ�SHRSOH�WR�WUXWK��

Paul’s monotheism also sets him apart from

the pantheistic Greco-Roman world, or any

gnostic claim that the material world is

evil, or the Epicurean notion that the world

HPHUJHG� E\� FKDQFH�� 6LQFH� WKH�ZRUOG�ZDV�FUHDWHG� E\�*RG� WKURXJK� -HVXV� &KULVW�� WKH�things in the world can be received with

WKDQNVJLYLQJ�� 7KH� PDWHULDO� ZRUOG� LVQ¶W�HYLO� EXW� ZLOO� EH� WUDQVIRUPHG�� &RQWUDU\� WR�Stoicism, the world is heading somewhere,

VR�ZH�DUHQ¶W�ZDLWLQJ�IRU�D�JUHDW�FRQÀDJUDWLRQ�which will begin a process by which all

events in history will be repeated all over

DJDLQ��7KH�PDWHULDO�ZRUOG�� WKRXJK�PDUUHG�E\�HYLO��LV�JRRG�DQG�GHVWLQHG�IRU�UHQHZDO�

Paul’s ethics overlapped to some extent

with other thinkers in the Hellenistic world,

though the story that informed his ethics,

the theology that undergirded his ethics,

ZDV�UDGLFDOO\�GLIIHUHQW��)RU�3DXO�DQ�HWKLFDO�way of life is the work of the Spirit and is

SDWWHUQHG�DIWHU�WKH�OLIH�RI�-HVXV��&KULVWLDQV�live in light of the new creation, and they

EHOLHYH� LQ� YLUWXH� DQG�PRUDO� SURJUHVV��:H�see overlap in ethics with a philosophy

like Stoicism in a text like Philippians

�����2Q�WKH�RWKHU�KDQG��3DXO¶V�HWKLF�VWDQGV�RXW� LQ� HPSKDVL]LQJ� SDWLHQFH�� KXPLOLW\��VH[XDO� SXULW\�� DQG� HVSHFLDOO\� ORYH�� 7KH�distinctiveness of Paul’s thought surfaces

LQ� KLV� SK\VLFV� �ZKDW� LV��� HWKLFV� �KRZ� ZH�VKRXOG� OLYH���DQG� ORJLF��ZKDW� LV� WUXWK��� IRU�every dimension of life and thought is

UHVKDSHG�E\�-HVXV�

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CONTENTS

Paul also differed from Stoicism in that

his message wasn’t restricted to the upper

classes, for Paul’s message was for all

SHRSOH� HYHU\ZKHUH�� $QRWKHU� GLIIHUHQFH�ZLWK�6WRLFLVP�VWDQGV�RXW��IRU�&KULVWLDQLW\¶V�embrace of suffering and the cross is

central, and thus the emphasis is not

RQ� WKH� VHOI�� :ULJKW� DOVR� KDV� D� ZLWKHULQJ�FULWLTXH� RI� 7URHOV� (QJEHUJ�3HGHUVHQ�� IRU�the latter brackets out Pauline theology

and apocalyptic in doing his historical

work, and such a bracketing strategy can’t

DFFRXQW�IRU�3DXO¶V�WKRXJKW�

Paul’s Jewish context is presented in the

SHQXOWLPDWH�FKDSWHU��7KURXJKRXW� WKH�ERRN�:ULJKW�HPSKDVL]HV�WKDW�3DXO�ZDV�D�-HZLVK�thinker, even though he was the apostle to

WKH�*HQWLOHV��3DXO�GLGQ¶W�GHQLJUDWH�-XGDLVP�EXW� DUJXHG� WKDW� -HVXV� IXO¿OOHG� -HZLVK�hopes, for Jesus’ resurrection demonstrated

WKDW� WKH� QHZ�ZRUOG� KDV� GDZQHG� LQ� -HVXV��So, Paul doesn’t invent a new religion

or leave his Jewish roots behind but sees

-HVXV�DV�WKH�IXO¿OOPHQW�RI�WKHVH�KRSHV��$Q\�notion that such a view is supersessionist is

VWURQJO\�UHVLVWHG��7KH�4XPUDQ�FRPPXQLW\�wasn’t supersessionist in seeing their

RZQ� FRPPXQLW\� DV� WKH� IXO¿OOPHQW� RI�27� SURSKHFLHV�� DQG� LQ� WKH� VDPH� ZD\�3DXO¶V� WKHRORJ\� RI� IXO¿OOPHQW� ZDVQ¶W�VXSHUVHVVLRQLVW��1RU�GRHV� WKH� LQFOXVLRQ�RI�the Gentiles indicate supersessionism, for

WKH�27�LWVHOI�SURPLVHG�WKDW�*HQWLOHV�ZRXOG�EH�IROGHG�LQWR�WKH�RQH�SHRSOH�RI�*RG��

,Q� RQH� VHQVH� :ULJKW� DJUHHV� ZLWK� .ULVWHU�Stendahl that Paul was called instead of

converted, but at the end of the day he argues

WKDW� 6WHQGDKO¶V� UHDGLQJ� PXVW� EH� TXDOL¿HG�VLJQL¿FDQWO\�� IRU�3DXO� VDZ�KLV�SHUVHFXWLRQ�RI� WKH� FKXUFK� DV� D� VLQ�� ,Q� D� VHQVH�� WKHQ��Paul was both called and converted since

KH� ZDV� SHUVRQDOO\� WUDQVIRUPHG�� 6WLOO�� ZH�VKRXOGQ¶W� VD\�3DXO� VZLWFKHG� UHOLJLRQV��+H�was transformed by the Messiah, by the

ORYH�RI�*RG��

Paul was ethnically Jewish but ate with

QRQ�-HZV�� 3DXO� QR� ORQJHU� IHOW� FRQVWUDLQHG�WR� NHHS� WKH� ERXQGDU\� PDUNHUV� RI� 7RUDK��for he believed that a new world, a new

DJH�KDG�GDZQHG��3DXO�GLHG�DQG�URVH�LQ�WKH�Messiah, and thus the regulations of the old

covenant did not apply any longer since

D� QHZ�ZRUOG� KDG� GDZQHG��7KXV�3DXO� VDZ�his previous persecution of the church as a

radical misunderstanding of what it means

WR� EH� -HZLVK�� 7KH� SURPLVHV� JLYHQ� WR� WKH�-HZV�DUH�IXO¿OOHG�IRU�WKRVH�LQ�&KULVW�VR�WKDW�there is now one family in Jesus made up of

ERWK�-HZV�DQG�*HQWLOHV��

:ULJKW� DUJXHV� WKDW� 0DUN� 1DQRV� IDLOV� WR�see the newness in Paul’s thought, for

the latter says Paul continued to observe

7RUDK��EXW�VXFK�D�UHDGLQJ�UHDGV�WKH�WH[W�DW�the level of propositions instead of seeing

Paul’s eschatological and apocalyptic

WKRXJKW�� *DODWLDQV� �������� GHPRQVWUDWHV�WKDW� 3DXO� ZDVQ¶W� 7RUDK� REVHUYDQW�� IRU� KH�

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42 | CREDO MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2014

CONTENTS

didn’t keep the food laws when eating with

*HQWLOHV�� 3DXO� ZDV� ÀH[LEOH� DQG� REVHUYHG�the law when with Jews, but he didn’t

believe the boundary markers of the law

ZHUH�PDQGDWRU\��HYHQ� IRU� -HZV��%HOLHYHUV�in Jesus, both Jews and Gentiles, are the

FLUFXPFLVLRQ� DQG� WUXH� -HZV�� 7KH\� EHORQJ�WR� -HVXV� DV� WKH� FUXFL¿HG� DQG� ULVHQ� /RUG��6R��EHOLHYHUV�LQ�-HVXV�&KULVW��DFFRUGLQJ�WR�:ULJKW��DUH�D�WKLUG�UDFH��DQG�$EUDKDP�LV�WKH�IDWKHU�RI� D� VLQJOH� IDPLO\��*HQWLOHV� DUH�QRW�subordinate to Jews; Jews and Gentiles are

HTXDO� LQ�&KULVW� DQG� DUH� ERWK� LQFRUSRUDWHG�LQWR�WKH�RQH�ROLYH�WUHH��7KH�JUHDW�VWRU\�WKDW�EHJDQ�ZLWK�$EUDKDP�DQG�FXOPLQDWHV�LQ�WKH�return from exile has now become a reality

DQG�LV�IXO¿OOHG�LQ�-HVXV�&KULVW�

7KH�IDLOXUH�WR�VHH�WKH�VWRU\��WKH�QDUUDWLYH�RI�3DXO¶V� ZRUOG�� LV�:ULJKW¶V� FKLHI� FRPSODLQW�ZLWK� UHJDUG� WR� )UDQFLV� :DWVRQ¶V� ZRUN�RQ� 3DXO�� :DWVRQ� IDLOV� WR� DFFRXQW� IRU� WKH�FRYHQDQW� QDWXUH� RI� 3DXOLQH� WKRXJKW�� 3DXO�was uniquely Jewish but not a renegade Jew,

DFFRUGLQJ�WR�:ULJKW��VLQFH�KH�VDZ�-HVXV�DV�WKH�IXO¿OOPHQW�RI�,VUDHO¶V�PHVVLDQLF�KRSHV�

PAUL’S AIMS AND INTENTIONS

,Q� WKH� ¿QDO� FKDSWHU�� :ULJKW� UHÀHFWV� RQ�Paul’s aims and intentions as the apostle

who proclaimed the arrival of the new

FUHDWLRQ�� 3DXO� LQ� RQH� VHQVH�� VD\V�:ULJKW��

was a philosopher who articulated a

WKHRORJ\� WR� VXSSRUW� KLV� ZRUOGYLHZ�� 6WLOO��3DXO�ZDV� IXQGDPHQWDOO\� D�PDQ� RI� DFWLRQ��,Q� SDUWLFXODU�� KH� ZDQWHG� WR� IRUP� DQG�sustain churches which were marked by

UHFRQFLOLDWLRQ��VR�ZH�DUH�EDFN�WR�WKH�WKHPH�RI� UHFRQFLOLDWLRQ� LQ� 3KLOHPRQ� DJDLQ��� +LV�churches had a new kind of philosophy,

theology, and politics, as those empowered

by the Spirit and incorporated into Jesus

&KULVW��

:ULJKW� VHHV� KLV� ERRN� DV� EUHDNLQJ� IUHH�from the disjunction between Judaism

and Hellenism introduced into the study

RI�3DXO�E\�)��&��%DXU��5XGROSK�%XOWPDQQ�really continued the theme of Paul as an

apocalyptic thinker who rejected his Jewish

URRWV��EXW�:ULJKW�PDLQWDLQV� WKDW�3DXO� VDZ�KLV�JRVSHO�DV�D�FRQWLQXDWLRQ�DQG�IXO¿OOPHQW�RI�WKH�VWRU\�IRXQG�LQ�WKH�27��:H�GRQ¶W�KDYH�D�VPRRWK�OLQH�RI�IXO¿OOPHQW��EXW�ZH�GR�¿QG�WKDW�ZKDW�WKH�27�SURSKHVLHG�LV�IXO¿OOHG�LQ�-HVXV�&KULVW��*RG�ZDV� IDLWKIXO� WR�ZKDW�KH�promised and has kept his covenant promise

WR�$EUDKDP�

Paul’s aims and intentions in his mission

DQG� FKXUFK� SODQWLQJ� FDQ� EH� VXPPDUL]HG�XQGHU� WKH� WHUP� ³UHFRQFLOLDWLRQ�´� %XW�reconciliation must be understood in a

full-orbed sense, so that it isn’t abstracted

IURP� HYHU\GD\� OLIH�� 2QFH� ZH� XQGHUVWDQG�Paul’s world, we will be able to see that

his churches were in a sense philosophical

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CONTENTS

communities, religious groups, and

SROLWLFDO� ERGLHV�� 7KH� UHFRQFLOLDWLRQ� OLYHG�out in churches represents what God

intends to do for the entire creation, so

that the church is a new city, or best, a new

WHPSOH��3DXO�ZDVQ¶W�MXVW�ZLQQLQJ�VRXOV��KH�was building a new temple, a place for God

WKURXJK� WKH� 6SLULW� WR� UHVLGH�� 7KXV� KHDYHQ�and earth would be reconciled through

the death and resurrection of Jesus the

0HVVLDK��7KH�FKXUFK¶V�PLVVLRQ�DQG�UHDOLW\�ZLWQHVV�WR�*RG¶V�IDLWKIXOQHVV��,Q�WKDW�VHQVH�the church is God’s royal priesthood in the

ZRUOG�� PHGLDWLQJ� KLV� EOHVVLQJ� WR� RWKHUV��7KH� XQLWHG� DQG� KRO\� FKXUFK� LV� ZKHUH� DOO�nations will stream to worship God, and

it was Paul’s aim for this single family of

$EUDKDP� WR�EH�RQH� LQ�&KULVW��7KH� FKXUFK�

would be the means by which God’s reign

would be extended over the entire creation,

so that God would be all in all and would

EH�ZRUVKLSHG�

Paul’s mission wasn’t simply to see souls

saved but to see the whole creation renewed,

ZKLFK�PHDQW�WKDW�UXOHUV��OLNH�5RPH��would be unmasked for the frauds

WKH\�ZHUH��7KH�FKXUFK�ZRXOG�H[SUHVV�its worship of one God as a united

ERG\�� ,Q� RUGHU� WR� VXVWDLQ� WKH� XQLW\�and holiness of the church, Paul

WDXJKW�KLV� ³SKLORVRSK\´�RU� WKHRORJ\�to unpack and explain what it meant

WR�EH�RQH�LQ�WKH�0HVVLDK��

:KDW� ZH� VHH� LQ� 3DXO�� WKHQ�� LV� ERWK�salvation history and apocalyptic,

ERWK� IXO¿OOLQJ� FRYHQDQW� WKHRORJ\��7KH�FRYHQDQW�DFFRXQWV�IRU�WKH�WKHPH�RI� IXO¿OOPHQW� RI� WKH� VWRU\� RI� ,VUDHO��but it also explains the disparities and

LUUHJXODULWLHV� LQ� ,VUDHO¶V�KLVWRU\�� ,Q�D�similar way, the juridical and participatory

themes in Paul, which are so often conceived

RI�DV�SRODU�RSSRVLWHV��DUH�XQLWHG�LQ�&KULVW��

7KH� HQWLUH� YLVLRQ� DUWLFXODWHG� E\�:ULJKW� LV�summed up in Ephesians, for in Ephesians

the church is God’s temple indwelt by

WKH� 6SLULW�� 7KH� JRDO� LV� WR� VHH� WKH� ZRUOG�transformed, to experience a new creation,

WR�VHH�LQGLYLGXDOV�UHFRQFLOHG��OLNH�2QHVLPXV�DQG�3KLOHPRQ���

PAUL IN ONE SENSE, SAYS WRIGHT, WAS A PHILOSOPHER WHO ARTICULATED A THEOLOGY TO SUPPORT HIS WORLDVIEW. STILL, PAUL WAS FUNDAMENTALLY A MAN OF ACTION. IN PARTICULAR, HE WANTED TO FORM AND SUSTAIN CHURCHES WHICH WERE MARKED BY RECONCILIATION.

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EVALUATING N. T. WRIGHT

What I Like AboutWright’s Treatment of Paul

7KLV� EULHI� VNHWFK� �DQG� LW� LV� EULHI� VLQFH�WKH� ZRUN� KDV� RYHU� ������ SDJHV� RI� WH[W���only touches on the breadth and depth of

ZKDW� :ULJKW� KDV� ZULWWHQ�� :KDW� KH� KDV�accomplished in this multi-volume series

LV� WUXO\� DPD]LQJ��0DQ\�KDYH� WKRXJKW� WKDW�such comprehensive works were a thing

RI� WKH� SDVW�� :H� PLJKW� WKLQN� WKDW� QR� RQH�

today would attempt to write a scholarly

DQG� FRPSUHKHQVLYH� DFFRXQW� RI� &KULVWLDQ�RULJLQV�� %XW� QRZ� :ULJKW� KDV� ZULWWHQ�magisterial volumes which focus on Jesus

DQG�3DXO��2QH�RI�:ULJKW¶V�JUHDW�VWUHQJWKV�LV�WKDW�KH�DWWHQGV�WR�WKH�ELJ�SLFWXUH��+H�LVQ¶W�content with only seeing the pieces but he

DUUDQJHV� WKH�SX]]OH�SLHFHV� VR� WKDW�ZH�FDQ�VHH�WKH�ODQGVFDSH��,Q�D�ZRUOG�RI�VFKRODUVKLS�where scholars work on this or that corner

RI� WKH� SX]]OH� �ZKLFK� LV� LWVHOI�D� JRRG� WKLQJ����ZH� DOVR� QHHG�those who give us a panoramic

YLHZ�� 6LQFH�:ULJKW� WDNHV� WKH�risk of explaining the universe

RI� WKH� 17� ZRUOGYLHZ� DQG�theology, he opens himself up

IRU�FULWLFLVP��9LUWXDOO\�QR�RQH�is going to agree with every

IHDWXUH� RQ� KLV�PDS�� 6WLOO�� ZH�FDQ� EH� JUDWHIXO� WKDW� :ULJKW�KDV�JLYHQ�XV�D�PDS��

Evangelicals in particular

FDQ� EH� JUDWHIXO� WR� :ULJKW��for he believes the story, the

worldview, and the theology

of Paul are coherent, that they

¿W� WRJHWKHU�� � )RU� WKRVH� RI� XV�who have studied Pauline

theology, how often we hear that this piece

RU� WKDW� SLHFH� GRHVQ¶W� ¿W� ZLWK� ZKDW� 3DXO�VD\V� HOVHZKHUH�� +LV� WKRXJKW� LV� FULWLFL]HG�for being incoherent, inconsistent, or

HYHQ� FRQWUDGLFWRU\�� %XW�:ULJKW� ZLOO� KDYH�

EVANGELICALS IN PARTICULAR CAN BE GRATEFUL TO WRIGHT, FOR HE BELIEVES THE STORY, THE WORLDVIEW, AND THE THEOLOGY OF PAUL ARE COHERENT, THAT THEY FIT TOGETHER. FOR THOSE OF US WHO HAVE STUDIED PAULINE THEOLOGY, HOW OFTEN WE HEAR THAT THIS PIECE OR THAT PIECE DOESN’T FIT WITH WHAT PAUL SAYS ELSEWHERE. HIS THOUGHT IS CRITICIZED FOR BEING INCOHERENT, INCONSISTENT, OR EVEN CONTRADICTORY. BUT WRIGHT WILL HAVE NONE OF THAT. HE REGULARLY CRITICIZES THE CRITICIZERS.

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CONTENTS

QRQH� RI� WKDW�� +H� UHJXODUO\� FULWLFL]HV� WKH�FULWLFL]HUV�� 7KH\� WKLQN� 3DXO� LV� LQFRKHUHQW�or inconsistent, but such judgments, says

:ULJKW�� GHPRQVWUDWH� WKDW� WKH\� IDLO� WR� VHH�WKH�ZKROH� 3DXO�� 6RPH� VFKRODUV� LQVLVW� WKDW�Paul is an apocalyptic thinker and squash

down any reference to salvation history, or

YLFH�YHUVD��6LPLODUO\��VRPH�WUXPSHW�3DXO¶V�MXVWL¿FDWLRQ� DQG� IRUHQVLF� WKRXJKW� DQG�PLQLPL]H�WUDQVIRUPDWLRQ�DQG�SDUWLFLSDWLRQ��ZKLOH�RWKHUV�¿QG�WKH�UHDO�NH\�WR�KLV�WKRXJKW�LQ�XQLRQ�ZLWK�&KULVW�DQG�WUDQVIRUPDWLRQ�DQG�VHH� MXVWL¿FDWLRQ� DV� D� SROHPLFDO� GRFWULQH��:ULJKW�FRUUHFWO\�GLVPLVVHV�VXFK�JDPELWV�DV�IDOOLQJ�SUH\�WR�D�SDUWLDO�YLVLRQ�RI�3DXO��7KHLU�3DXO� LV� WRR�VPDOO��:ULJKW�FRUUHFWO\�DUJXHV�that Paul’s thought embraces salvation

history and apocalyptic, the forensic and

WUDQVIRUPDWLYH�� +RZ� UHIUHVKLQJ� LW� LV� WR�read someone who takes Paul seriously as

a thinker, seeing him as a theologian with

D� FRKHUHQW� YLVLRQ��:ULJKW� VHHV� VR� FOHDUO\�WKH� IXO¿OOPHQW� WKHPH� LQ�3DXOLQH� WKHRORJ\��ZKDW�LV�SURPLVHG�LV�IXO¿OOHG��WKH�FRYHQDQW�SURPLVHV�FRPH�WR�IUXLWLRQ�LQ�-HVXV��

$QRWKHU� WRZHULQJ� VWUHQJWK� LQ� :ULJKW� LV�WKDW� KH� SODFHV� 3DXO� LQ� KLVWRULFDO� FRQWH[W��Even if one disagrees with his historical

MXGJPHQWV�� :ULJKW� DWWHPSWV� WR� UHDG� 3DXO�LQ� OLJKW� RI� WKH� ZRUOG� LQ� ZKLFK� KH� OLYHG��Naturally, one would need to be an expert

in the Greco-Roman and Jewish worlds to

DVVHVV�:ULJKW¶V�VNHWFK�RI�WKH�KLVWRULFDO�DQG�FXOWXUDO�ZRUOG�LQ�ZKLFK�3DXO�OLYHG��,�DP�QRW�

an expert, but it seems to me that he has

ODUJHO\�VXFFHHGHG��%XW�HYHQ�LI�ZH�GLVDJUHH��:ULJKW� LV� WU\LQJ� WR� UHDG� 3DXO� KLVWRULFDOO\��He is attempting to let Paul be Paul, to hear

WKH�UHDO�3DXO��WKH�KLVWRULFDO�3DXO��2I�FRXUVH��many scholars today think such an enterprise

is impossible, claiming in our postmodern

�RU�SRVW�SRVWPRGHUQ"�� WLPHV� WKDW�ZH�FDQ¶W�know what authors intended when they

ZURWH��:ULJKW�LVQ¶W�QDwYH��+H�GRHVQ¶W�FODLP�that we can discern exhaustively what Paul

FRPPXQLFDWHG�LQ�KLV�OHWWHUV��+H�IUDPHV�DQG�tests hypotheses under the framework of

critical realism, which he explained in his

¿UVW�YROXPH�LQ�WKH�VHULHV��+LV�FULWLFDO�UHDOLVW�DSSURDFK� LV� KHOSIXO� DQG� RSWLPLVWLF�� (YHQ�though we can’t get to the bottom of Paul,

ZH� DUH� QRW� KHUPHQHXWLFDO� QLKLOLVWV��:KHQ�we place Paul in his historical context, we

FDQ�NQRZ��VD\V�:ULJKW��3DXO¶V�ZRUOGYLHZ��KLV� WKHRORJ\�� DQG�KLV� DLPV� DQG� LQWHQWLRQV��7KH� KLVWRULFDO� 3DXO� LV� QRW� VKXWWHUHG� DZD\�EXW� LV� DFFHVVLEOH� WR� XV�� +HQFH�� :ULJKW¶V�sketch of the Greco-Roman and Jewish

worlds in which Paul lived assists us in

XQGHUVWDQGLQJ�WKH�UHDO�3DXO��:ULJKW�WKLQNV�we can understand the historical Paul and

that we learn about him through history and

H[HJHVLV��,�FDQ�RQO\�JUDWHIXOO\�DJUHH�

:ULJKW¶V� FUHDWLYLW\� DOVR� VKLQHV� WKURXJK�LQ� KLV� VFKRODUVKLS�� ,V� WKDW� D� EOHVVLQJ� RU�a liability? Probably both, but mainly a

EOHVVLQJ��:ULJKW¶V� FUHDWLYLW\� LV� HYLGHQW� LQ�KRZ� KH� KDV� ZULWWHQ� KLV� 3DXOLQH� WKHRORJ\��

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7KHUH� KDV� QHYHU� EHHQ� DQ\WKLQJ� TXLWH� OLNH�LW�� :ULJKW� ZHDYHV� WRJHWKHU� WKH� KLVWRULFDO�context, the Pauline worldview, and Paul’s

theology into a coherent whole, so that

3DXO� DGGUHVVHV� WKH� ZRUOG� RI� KLV� GD\��:H�FDQ� KHDU�� DV�:ULJKW� XQIROGV� KLV� QDUUDWLYH��Paul speaking to the Stoics, the Epicureans,

6HFRQG�7HPSOH�-HZV��DQG�EHOLHYHUV�LQ�-HVXV�&KULVW��

:ULJKW¶V� FUHDWLYLW\� LV� DOVR� HYLGHQW� LQ� WKH�VWRU\� KH� GHWHFWV� LQ� 3DXO¶V� WKRXJKW� �PRUH�RQ� WKLV� ODWHU��� ,VUDHO� ZDV� LQ� H[LOH�� DQG� LQ�Jesus’ death and resurrection we have the

UHVWRUDWLRQ� RI� ,VUDHO�� 2I� FRXUVH�� WKH� VWRU\�GRHVQ¶W� EHJLQ� ZLWK� ,VUDHO� LQ� H[LOH�� EXW�with the covenant, the promises given to

$EUDKDP��WKH�SURPLVH�WKDW�WKH�HQWLUH�ZRUOG�ZRXOG�EH�EOHVVHG�LQ�DQG�WKURXJK�$EUDKDP�DQG� KLV� GHVFHQGDQWV�� ,Q� RWKHU� ZRUGV��*RG� ZRXOG� IXO¿OO� KLV� SURPLVH� WKURXJK�the covenant, by virtue of his covenant

IDLWKIXOQHVV�� 2EYLRXVO\�� WKLV� LV� FHQWUDO�WR� :ULJKW¶V� UHDGLQJ�� ZKLFK� LV� HYLGHQW� WR�anyone who reads the title of the book!

Paul’s theology is all about God’s covenant

IDLWKIXOQHVV��WKH�IXO¿OOPHQW�RI�KLV�SURPLVH�WR�UHQHZ�DOO�RI�FUHDWLRQ��+XPDQ�EHLQJV�ZLOO�RQO\�WUXO\�ÀRXULVK�LQ�WKH�QHZ�FUHDWLRQ�ZKHQ�*RG�GZHOOV�LQ�WKHLU�PLGVW�WKURXJK�WKH�6SLULW��7KH�FKXUFK��VD\V�:ULJKW��UHSUHVHQWV�QRZ�DQ�anticipation of the new creation to come, a

place where Jews and Gentiles, males and

females, slaves and free, are reconciled to

RQH�DQRWKHU�DQG�WR�*RG�

,� DP� UHOD\LQJ� RQO\� ELWV�and pieces of the story,

EXW� ,�� IRU�RQH�� WKLQN� WKDW�WKH� EDVLF� VWRU\� :ULJKW�GUDZV�LV�ULJKW��,VUDHO�ZDV�LQ�H[LOH��L�H���WKH�SURPLVHV�ZHUHQ¶W�IXO¿OOHG��EHFDXVH�they had failed to keep

WKH� 7RUDK�� 7KH� FXUVHV�of the covenant fell on

,VUDHO� EHFDXVH� RI� KHU�GLVREHGLHQFH�� ,VUDHO�EHOLHYHG� WKDW� WKH� 7RUDK��

given to them by God, was the means by

ZKLFK� WKH� ZRUOG� ZRXOG� UHFHLYH� EOHVVLQJ��%XW��DV�:ULJKW�VR�DSWO\�SXWV�LW��,VUDHO�IRXQG�RXW�WKDW�LW�WRR�ZDV�LQ�$GDP��,VUDHO�FRXOGQ¶W�be the solution to the world’s problems

VLQFH� ,VUDHO� WRR� ZDV� SDUW� RI� WKH� SUREOHP��7KH�HYLO�ZDVQ¶W�RQO\�RXW�WKHUH�LQ�WKH�*HQWLOH�ZRUOG��LW�ZDV�DOVR�LQVLGH�WKH�-HZLVK�ZRUOG��

I BELIEVE WRIGHT IS ALSO CORRECT IN SAYING THAT THE SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM IS IN THE MESSIAH JESUS. HE IS ON TARGET IN SAYING THAT MESSIAH IS NOT JUST A PROPER NAME IN PAUL. BELIEVERS ARE INCORPORATED INTO JESUS AS THE CRUCIFIED AND RISEN LORD.

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Sin isn’t just a Gentile problem or a Jewish

SUREOHP�EXW�D�KXPDQ�SUREOHP�,� EHOLHYH�:ULJKW� LV� DOVR� FRUUHFW� LQ� VD\LQJ�that the solution to the problem is in the

0HVVLDK� -HVXV�� +H� LV� RQ� WDUJHW� LQ� VD\LQJ�that Messiah is not just a proper name in

3DXO��%HOLHYHUV�DUH�LQFRUSRUDWHG�LQWR�-HVXV�DV� WKH� FUXFL¿HG� DQG� ULVHQ� /RUG�� -HVXV��WKHQ�� LV� WKH� WUXH� ,VUDHO��DQG� WKRVH�ZKR�DUH�PHPEHUV�RI�$EUDKDP¶V� IDPLO\�� WKRVH�ZKR�DUH� WKH� FLUFXPFLVLRQ�� EHORQJ� WR� -HVXV��Hence, both Jews and Gentiles now form

the single family of God, reconciled to

*RG� DQG� UHFRQFLOHG� WR� RQH� DQRWKHU�� 7KH�3DXOLQH�VWRU\�LV�DERXW�-HVXV�EHLQJ�WKH�/RUG�of the world, and hence all other gods and

GHPRQV�DUH�VKRZQ�WR�EH�IUDXGV��-HVXV�UXOHV�at God’s right hand, and hence the new

creation has dawned, even though it still

PXVW�EH�FRQVXPPDWHG��7KH�FKXUFK�RI�-HVXV�is to live out that lordship with love and

JUDFH��DV�LW�DZDLWV�WKH�UHQHZDO�RI�FUHDWLRQ��:ULJKW�UHPLQGV�XV�WKDW�WKH�FKXUFK�LPSDFWV�the world when the world sees its holiness

DQG�XQLW\��:KHQ�WKH�FKXUFK�OLYHV�LQ�VXFK�D�way, it attests that it is the new temple, the

place where the Spirit of God and the Spirit

RI�-HVXV�GZHOO�

6RPH� KDYH� DFFXVHG� :ULJKW� RI�VXSHUVHVVLRQLVP��EXW�,�WKLQN�KH�ULJKWO\�IHQGV�RII�WKDW�FKDUJH��7KH�4XPUDQ�FRPPXQLW\��DV�he notes, was certainly not supersessionist

for thinking that they were the community

RI�WKH�QHZ�FRYHQDQW��QRU�ZDV�5DEEL�$NLED�

supersessionist in hailing Simeon ben-

.RVLED�DV�WKH�0HVVLDK��3DXO�GLGQ¶W�EHOLHYH�WKDW�KH�UHSXGLDWHG�-XGDLVP�EXW�IXO¿OOHG�LW��IRU� LQ�-HVXV� WKH�SURPLVHV� WR�$EUDKDP�DQG�WR� 'DYLG� ZHUH� IXO¿OOHG�� $ORQJ� WKH� VDPH�OLQHV��:ULJKW�FOHDUO\�VKRZV�WKH�GH¿FLHQFLHV�of Nanos’s reading of Paul, which opts for

D�WZR�FRYHQDQW�VROXWLRQ��3DXO�EHOLHYHG�WKDW�,VUDHO�ZRXOG�RQO\�EH� VDYHG�E\�FRQIHVVLQJ�-HVXV�DV�WKH�0HVVLDK��

CONCERNS ABOUT WRIGHT’S TREATMENT OF PAUL

,W� VHHPV� DV� LI� GLVFXVVLRQV� RQ� :ULJKW�easily become a matter of whether one

LV� ³IRU� KLP´� RU� ³DJDLQVW� KLP�´� %XW� VXFK�an approach isn’t helpful and blunts the

NLQG� RI� GLVFXVVLRQ� WKDW� LV� QHHGHG�� ,W� LV�¿WWLQJ� WR� EH� JUDWHIXO� �VHH� DERYH�� IRU� KLV�contributions to scholarship and for his

VHUYLFH�WR�WKH�FKXUFK��+H�LV�FOHDUO\�QRW�DQ�HQHP\� RI� HYDQJHOLFDOLVP� EXW� D� IULHQG��$W�the same time, we serve scholarship and

truth in raising questions and concerns as

ZHOO��,I�GHPRQL]LQJ�:ULJKW�LV�LUUDWLRQDO��ZH�must also beware of an uncritical adulation

where any disagreement with him is viewed

DV�DQ�DWWDFN��0DWXUH�GLVFXVVLRQ�WDNHV�SODFH�when we honestly dialogue about places

where we agree and differ with kindness

DQG�JUDFH�

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Empire

,� EHJLQ�ZLWK�ZKDW� VWULNHV�PH� DV� WKH� OHDVW�LPSRUWDQW� GLVDJUHHPHQW�� L�H��� WKH� LVVXH� RI�HPSLUH�� &HUWDLQO\�� 3DXO� SURFODLPHG� -HVXV�DV� /RUG�� DQG� WKXV� KH�ZDV� DOVR� WKH�/RUG� RI�Rome and sovereign

RYHU� WKH� HPSHURU��Monotheism means

that God brooks no

rivals, and hence

&DHVDU� PXVW� QRW� EH�H[DOWHG�RU�ZRUVKLSHG��,� DP� RSHQ� WR�:ULJKW�being correct here,

but it seems that Paul

didn’t expend much

energy in combatting

emperor worship in

KLV� OHWWHUV�� :ULJKW�argues that the language is coded, but

ZKDW�LV�FRGH�WR�RQH�LV�LQYLVLEOH�WR�DQRWKHU��Perhaps Paul doesn’t address empire

VSHFL¿FDOO\�EHFDXVH�PRVW� RUGLQDU\�SHRSOH�GLGQ¶W�UHDOO\�WDNH�LW�DOO�WKDW�VHULRXVO\��7KH\�tipped their hat to it; they did their duty

when they were required to do so, but in

most places where Paul planted churches

people were concerned about and devoted

WR�RWKHU�WKLQJV��2WKHU�JRGV�ZHUH�SUREDEO\�more important in their everyday life than

HPSHURU�ZRUVKLS��

The Lord’s Return to Zion

:ULJKW� DOVR� VXJJHVWV� WKDW� 3DXO¶V� KLJK�&KULVWRORJ\�VWHPPHG�LQ�SDUW�IURP�WKH�EHOLHI�WKDW� LQ�-HVXV�&KULVW� WKH�/RUG�KDG�FRPH� WR�

Zion; he returned to his

WHPSOH�� /HW� PH� SDXVH�DQG� VD\� WKDW� :ULJKW�contends convincingly

for the notion that

3DXO¶V�&KULVWRORJ\�ZDV�KLJK�� ,� IRXQG� DOPRVW�all of his arguments

FRQYLQFLQJ�� )RU� WKDW�matter, his work on the

identity of the Spirit

is also excellent; he

agrees that the early

church fathers were

IDLWKIXO� WR� WKH� 17� LQ�WKHLU�7ULQLWDULDQ�YLVLRQ��

6R�� WKH� LVVXH� UDLVHG� KHUH� LV� TXLWH� VSHFL¿F�DQG� QDUURZ�� 'LG� 3DXO¶V� KLJK� &KULVWRORJ\�GHULYH�VLJQL¿FDQWO\�IURP�WKH�QRWLRQ�WKDW�WKH�/RUG�UHWXUQHG�WR�=LRQ"�&HUWDLQO\��ZH�KDYH�temple theology in Paul, especially in the

QRWLRQ� WKDW� WKH�6SLULW� LQGZHOOV� KLV� SHRSOH��3HUKDSV� ,� PLVXQGHUVWDQG� :ULJKW�� DQG� KH�is referring to the Gospels instead of Paul

ZKHQ� VSHDNLQJ� RI� WKH� /RUG� UHWXUQLQJ� WR�=LRQ��EXW�ZKHUH�GRHV�3DXO�HPSKDVL]H�WKDW�-HVXV�UHWXUQHG�WR�WKH�WHPSOH"�,W�VHHPV�WKDW�such language is used with reference to the

6SLULW��3DXO�VSHDNV�RI�&KULVW�LQGZHOOLQJ�KLV�people, but it isn’t clear that such language

I WONDER IF WRIGHT’S EMPHASIS ON STORY, AS HELPFUL AS IT IS, OVERLOOKS OR DOESN’T ACCOUNT FULLY FOR THE GENRE IN WHICH PAUL WROTE ... WRIGHT’S NARRATIVE APPROACH DIMINISHES THE EXPOSITORY CHARACTER OF PAUL’S WRITINGS.

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VLJQL¿HV� WKH�/RUG� UHWXUQLQJ� WR�KLV� WHPSOH��Hence, support seems to be lacking for

WKH� QRWLRQ� WKDW� 3DXO¶V� &KULVWRORJ\� ZDV�SURIRXQGO\�VKDSHG�E\�WKH�/RUG�UHWXUQLQJ�WR�KLV�WHPSOH�

The Story

$SSUHFLDWLRQ�IRU�:ULJKW¶V�HPSKDVLV�RQ�WKH�story and the big picture was expressed

DERYH�� &HUWDLQO\�� 3DXO� KDG� D� ZRUOGYLHZ�and a story from which he approached the

ZRUOG��2Q�WKH�RWKHU�KDQG��KH�ZURWH�OHWWHUV��explicating his theology in a discursive

VW\OH��7KH�OHWWHUV�DUH�RFFDVLRQDO�WR�EH�VXUH��UHVSRQGLQJ� WR� VLWXDWLRQV� LQ� KLV� FKXUFKHV��None of the letters represents the whole of

his thinking, nor are his letters systematic

WUHDWLVHV��,�ZRQGHU�LI�:ULJKW¶V�HPSKDVLV�RQ�story, as helpful as it is, overlooks or doesn’t

account fully for the genre in which Paul

ZURWH��,�DP�QRW�VD\LQJ�:ULJKW�LV�PLVWDNHQ�KHUH�� ,� WKLQN� WKHUH� LV� D� VWRU\� LQ� 3DXOLQH�WKHRORJ\��%XW�ZLWK�HYHU\� VWUHQJWK� WKHUH� LV�D� ZHDNQHVV�� :ULJKW¶V� QDUUDWLYH� DSSURDFK�diminishes the expository character of

3DXO¶V�ZULWLQJV��:H�FDQ�FRPSDUH�:ULJKW¶V�Pauline theology with the fairly recent

ERRN�E\�8GR�6FKQHOOH��$SRVWOH�3DXO��+LV�/LIH� DQG� 7KHRORJ\� �%DNHU� $FDGHPLF��� ,�am not endorsing everything Schnelle

says, but when we compare Schnelle to

:ULJKW�WKH�IRUPHU�VWDQGV�RXW�IRU�LWV�ORJLFDO�and expository clarity, and the kind of

exposition Schnelle offers matches in many

UHVSHFWV�WKH�QDWXUH�RI�3DXOLQH�WKHRORJ\�

Eschatological Salvation of Israel

,� GRQ¶W�ZDQW� WR� OLQJHU� ORQJ� RQ� WKLV� SRLQW��for good commentators disagree on the

PHDQLQJ� RI� 5RPDQV� ������� DQG� D� ORQJHU�GLVFXVVLRQ�LV�QHHGHG�WR�DUELWUDWH�WKH�PDWWHU��6WLOO��,�DP�QRW�FRQYLQFHG�WKDW�WKH�VDOYDWLRQ�RI�DOO�,VUDHO�LQ�5RPDQV�������LQFOXGHV�ERWK�-HZLVK�DQG�*HQWLOH�EHOLHYHUV��,W�LV�GLI¿FXOW�WR�EHOLHYH�WKDW�WKH�GH¿QLWLRQ�RI�,VUDHO�VKLIWV�IURP�������WR�������ZKHQ�WKHUH�LV�QR�FOHDU�VLJQDO�WKDW�,VUDHO�VKLIWV�LWV�UHIHUHQW�IURP�RQH�YHUVH�WR�WKH�QH[W��)XUWKHUPRUH��D�PHUH�WZR�YHUVHV� DIWHU� ������ 3DXO� FOHDUO\� LGHQWL¿HV�,VUDHO�DV�*RG¶V�HOHFW����������ZKLFK�LQGLFDWHV�that Paul continued to look forward to the

IXO¿OOPHQW�RI�*RG¶V�SURPLVHV�WR�KLV�SHRSOH��)XUWKHUPRUH�� :ULJKW� PLVLQWHUSUHWV� OLIH�IURP� WKH� GHDG� LQ� 5RPDQV� ������� IRU� WKH�H[SUHVVLRQ�PRUH�QDWXUDOO\�UHIHUV�WR�WKH�¿QDO�resurrection, and such a resurrection occurs

after the end-time acceptance of ethnic

,VUDHO�

Return of Christ

Related to the above is Paul’s frequent

UHIHUHQFH� WR� WKH� UHWXUQ� RI� &KULVW�� WR�ZKDW� LV� FDOOHG� KLV� VHFRQG� FRPLQJ�� ,� ZDV�TXLWH� FXULRXV�� JLYHQ� :ULJKW¶V� VRPHZKDW�controversial views on this issue in the

Gospels, what he would say about the

PDWWHU� ZKHQ� LW� FDPH� WR� 3DXO�� :KDW� ZDV�

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50 | CREDO MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2014

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striking was how little he said about

WKH� VXEMHFW�� 2QH� ZRXOG� DOPRVW�WKLQN� &KULVW¶V� UHWXUQ� ZDV� RI� OLWWOH�FRQVHTXHQFH�WR�3DXO��VLQFH�:ULJKW¶V�GLVFXVVLRQ�RQ�WKH�VXEMHFW�LV�VR�EULHI��His attenuated discussion made me

ZRQGHU�LI�&KULVW¶V�UHWXUQ�LV�SXW�RQ�WKH�back burner because it isn’t of much

LQWHUHVW� WR� :ULJKW�� 2WKHU� HOHPHQWV�RI� WKH� VWRU\� HQWUDQFH� KLP�PRUH��2I�course, he doesn’t deny the return of

&KULVW�� EXW� WKH� WRSLF� LVQ¶W� JLYHQ� LWV�GXH�ZHLJKW�LQ�:ULJKW¶V�H[SRVLWLRQ��,W�seems to play quite a minor role in

the story he tells, which means, at the

very least, that the story needs to be

expanded, for the theme is actually

TXLWH�SURPLQHQW�LQ�3DXO¶V�WKRXJKW��

The Role of Israel

,� DJUHH� ZLWK�:ULJKW� WKDW� WKH� SURPLVHV� RI�$EUDKDP�ZHUH�JLYHQ�WR�,VUDHO��EXW�KH�VHHPV�WR�PDNH�D�OHDS�LQ�VD\LQJ�WKDW�,VUDHO�ZDV�WKH�VROXWLRQ� WR� WKH� ZRUOG¶V� SUREOHP�� 7KDW� LV�D� VWHS� WRR� IDU�� ,W� VHHPV� LW�ZRXOG� EH�PRUH�SUHFLVH�WR�VD\�WKDW�,VUDHO�SRLQWV�WR�WKH�/RUG�DV�WKH�VROXWLRQ�WR�WKH�ZRUOG¶V�SUREOHP��3DXO�VD\V� WKDW� ,VUDHO�EHOLHYHG� LW�ZDV�D� OLJKW� IRU�Gentiles, but that isn’t quite the same thing

DV�VD\LQJ�WKDW�,VUDHO�ZRXOG�VROYH�WKH�ZRUOG¶V�SUREOHP��DV�LI�,VUDHO�LWVHOI�ZRXOG�XQGR�WKH�VLQ�RI�$GDP�

:ULJKW� DUJXHV� WKDW� ,VUDHO� LVQ¶W� LQGLFWHG�

SULPDULO\� IRU� LWV� VLQ� EHIRUH� *RG� �WKRXJK�KH�GRHV�VD\�WKDW�WKH\�KDYH�VLQQHG�DV�ZHOO��EXW� IRU� IDLOXUH� WR� FDUU\� RXW� LWV� YRFDWLRQ��1RZ�5RPDQV���������GRHV�UHIHU�WR�,VUDHO¶V�YRFDWLRQ��EXW�WKH�WH[W�GRHVQ¶W�VD\�WKDW�,VUDHO¶V�fundamental fault was failure to carry out

LWV�YRFDWLRQ�� ,QVWHDG�� ,VUDHO� LV� LQGLFWHG� IRU�sins like adultery and stealing and robbing

WHPSOHV�� 6LPLODUO\�� ZKHQ� FLUFXPFLVLRQ�FRPHV�XS��5RP������������,VUDHO�LV�FHQVXUHG�for disobedience in general, not for failing

LQ�LWV�PLVVLRQ��&RQWUDU\�WR�:ULJKW��LW�VHHPV�WKDW�3DXO¶V�PDLQ�FRPSODLQW��FI��5RP����������� LV� ,VUDHO¶V� VLQ�� QRW� WKDW� LW� IDLOHG� LQ� LWV�PLVVLRQ�WR�WKH�*HQWLOHV�

JUSTIFICATION DOESN’T, ACCORDING TO WRIGHT, PRIMARILY MEAN THAT WE ARE RIGHT WITH GOD. IT FUNDAMENTALLY MEANS THAT WE ARE MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH, THAT WE ARE COVENANT MEMBERS. I BELIEVE WRIGHT HERE MAKES A CATEGORY MISTAKE. HE RIGHTLY SEES THAT RIGHTEOUSNESS RELATES BOTH TO CREATION AND COVENANT. RIGHTEOUSNESS AND THE COVENANT AREN’T SEPARATED ONE FROM THE OTHER. BUT IT DOESN’T FOLLOW FROM THIS THAT RIGHTEOUSNESS MEANS COVENANT FAITHFULNESS OR COVENANT MEMBERSHIP. INSTEAD ... JUSTIFICATION MEANS THAT ONE IS IN THE RIGHT, THAT ONE IS DECLARED TO BE IN THE RIGHT.

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,� DOVR�ZRQGHU�ZKHUH�:ULJKW�JHWV� WKH� LGHD�WKDW� VLQ� LV� FROOHFWHG� LQ� RQH� SODFH�� L�H��� LQ�,VUDHO��DQG�WKXV�WKH�VLQ�RI�,VUDHO�LV�SODFHG�RQ�-HVXV��VR�WKDW�-HVXV�GUDZV�WKH�VLQ�RI�,VUDHO�LQWR� RQH� SODFH�� $IWHU� DOO�� VLQ� LV� FHUWDLQO\�a problem in the Gentile world as well

�5RP�� ���������� 3HUKDSV�:ULJKW� VHHV� WKLV�QRWLRQ� LQ� WH[WV� OLNH�*DODWLDQV������� IRU�KH�XQGHUVWDQGV�WKH�¿UVW�SHUVRQ�SOXUDO�SURQRXQ�to be limited to Jews, and thus Jesus took

WKH�FXUVH�XSRQ�KLPVHOI�RQO\� IRU� WKH� -HZV��7KH� ¿UVW� SHUVRQ� SOXUDO� LQ� WKH� QH[W� YHUVH��*DO�� ������� KRZHYHU�� FHUWDLQO\� LQFOXGHV�*HQWLOHV�� ZKLFK� FDVWV� GRXEW� RQ� :ULJKW¶V�LQWHUSUHWDWLRQ�RI�*DODWLDQV�������%XW�HYHQ�LI�:ULJKW�LV�FRUUHFW�RQ�*DODWLDQV�������LW�VWLOO�LVQ¶W�FOHDU�WKDW�VLQ�LV�FROOHFWHG�LQ�RQH�SODFH��Sin is placed on Jesus, but Jesus died as a

representative for both Jews and Gentiles

���&RU������������DQG�KHQFH�KLV�VLQ�EHDULQJ�UROH�LVQ¶W�OLPLWHG�WR�,VUDHO�

RECONCILIATION AND ONEFAMILY AS CENTRAL?

:ULJKW�GRHVQ¶W�XVH�WKH�ODQJXDJH�RI�FHQWHU��but it seems that he sees the unity of the

church, reconciliation with God and one

DQRWKHU�� DV� WKH� FHQWHU� RI� 3DXO¶V� WKRXJKW��Such a proposal is certainly a possible

UHDGLQJ�RI�WKH�HYLGHQFH��,�VXSSRVH�:ULJKW�would say that his whole reading of the

HYLGHQFH� MXVWL¿HV� WKH� FODLP��&HUWDLQO\� WKH�

unity of the church and reconciliation with

one another are very important to Paul, and

ZH�FDQ�EH�JUDWHIXO�WKDW�:ULJKW�KDV�UHPLQGHG�XV�RI�WKLV�WUXWK�

7KH� FHQWHU� SURSRVHG� LV� SRVVLEOH�� 2Q� WKH�RWKHU�KDQG��:ULJKW� WHOOV�D� ODUJH�VSUDZOLQJ�story, admitting that his own retelling

LV� SDUWLDO� DQG� SHUVSHFWLYDO�� ,Q� WKH� PLGVW�RI� WKH� VWRU\� ,� IRXQG� P\VHOI� ZRQGHULQJ�why reconciliation and the unity and the

holiness of the church are the central truth

DQG� V\PERO� LQ� 3DXOLQH� WKRXJKW�� :ULJKW�has certainly shown us that reconciliation

and unity are crucial for Paul, but more

argumentation and defense is needed for

seeing it as the most important theme and

WKH�PRVW�SURPLQHQW� V\PERO��7KH�TXHVWLRQ�raised here leads to the next discussion,

IRU� LW� VHHPV� WKDW� :ULJKW� HPSKDVL]HV� WKH�KRUL]RQWDO�UHODWLRQVKLS��XQLW\�LQ�WKH�FKXUFK��PRUH�WKDQ�WKH�YHUWLFDO��UHODWLRQVKLS�WR�*RG���though he certainly doesn’t deny the latter

DQG�EHOLHYHV�LW�LV�LPSRUWDQW�DV�ZHOO�

Justification

7KDW� EULQJV� PH� WR� MXVWL¿FDWLRQ�� ZKLFK�FRQWLQXHV� WR� EH� WKH� SODFH� ZKHUH� :ULJKW�is most controversial—at least for

FRQIHVVLRQDO� DQG� HYDQJHOLFDO� 3URWHVWDQWV��:ULJKW¶V�YLHZ�LV�ERWK�KHOSIXO�DQG�FRQIXVLQJ��+H� ULJKWO\� HPSKDVL]HV� WKDW� MXVWL¿FDWLRQ�is a forensic reality, that it has to do with

WKH�ODZ�FRXUW��+HQFH��KH�UHMHFWV�WKH�QRWLRQ�

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52 | CREDO MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2014

CONTENTS

WKDW� MXVWL¿FDWLRQ�LV� WUDQVIRUPDWLYH�DQG�OLIH�FKDQJLQJ�� ,W� LV� D� GHFODUDWLRQ� E\� WKH� MXGJH�WKDW�RQH�VWDQGV�LQ�WKH�ULJKW��$OO�WKLV�VHHPV�H[DFWO\�ULJKW�

2Q� WKH� RWKHU� KDQG�� KH� DOVR� GH¿QHV�MXVWL¿FDWLRQ� LQ� WHUPV� RI� *RG¶V� FRYHQDQW�IDLWKIXOQHVV�DQG�RXU�FRYHQDQW�PHPEHUVKLS��,W� VHHPV�� WKHQ�� WKDW� MXVWL¿FDWLRQ� GRHVQ¶W��DFFRUGLQJ� WR�:ULJKW�� SULPDULO\�PHDQ� WKDW�

ZH� DUH� ULJKW� ZLWK� *RG�� ,W� IXQGDPHQWDOO\�means that we are members of the church,

WKDW� ZH� DUH� FRYHQDQW� PHPEHUV�� ,� EHOLHYH�:ULJKW�KHUH�PDNHV�D�FDWHJRU\�PLVWDNH��+H�rightly sees that righteousness relates both

WR� FUHDWLRQ� DQG� FRYHQDQW�� 5LJKWHRXVQHVV�and the covenant aren’t separated one

IURP�WKH�RWKHU��%XW�LW�GRHVQ¶W�IROORZ�IURP�this that righteousness means covenant

IDLWKIXOQHVV� RU� FRYHQDQW� PHPEHUVKLS��,QVWHDG�� DV� 6WHSKHQ�:HVWHUKROP� VKRZV� LQ�his recent book, -XVWL¿FDWLRQ�5HFRQVLGHUHG��5HWKLQNLQJ� D� 3DXOLQH� 7KHPH� �(HUGPDQV���MXVWL¿FDWLRQ�PHDQV�WKDW�RQH�LV�LQ�WKH�ULJKW��

WKDW� RQH� LV� GHFODUHG� WR� EH� LQ� WKH� ULJKW��7KLV� LV� QRW� WR� VD\� WKDW� ULJKWHRXVQHVV� KDV�QRWKLQJ� WR� GR� ZLWK� WKH� FRYHQDQW�� %HWWHU�to say that God’s saving righteousness

IXO¿OOV� KLV� FRYHQDQW� SURPLVHV� LQVWHDG� RI�saying that righteousness means covenant

PHPEHUVKLS� RU� FRYHQDQW� IDLWKIXOQHVV��,QGHHG�� LW� VHHPV� DV� LI� WKH� HPSKDVLV� RQ�covenant membership sits awkwardly with

the notion that righteousness is declarative,

IRU�MXVWL¿FDWLRQ�PHDQV�WKDW�ZH�VWDQG�LQ�WKH�ULJKW�EHIRUH�*RG�

7KH� PDWWHU� RI� MXVWL¿FDWLRQ�GHVHUYHV� IXUWKHU� FRPPHQW��:ULJKW� RIWHQ� FULWLFL]HV� WKRVH�ZKR�LGHQWLI\�MXVWL¿FDWLRQ�ZLWK�salvation, pointing out that the

words justify and salvation

PHDQ� GLIIHUHQW� WKLQJV�� +H� LV�certainly right on this score,

EXW�KH�QHJOHFWV�DQ�LPSRUWDQW�SRLQW�DV�ZHOO��:ULJKW�� DV� QRWHG� DERYH�� SXWV� MXVWL¿FDWLRQ�LQ� WKH� HFFOHVLRORJLFDO� FDWHJRU\�� ,W� GRHVQ¶W�FRPPXQLFDWH�� VD\V� :ULJKW�� WKDW� RQH� KDV�EHFRPH�D�&KULVWLDQ��LW�WHOOV�XV�ZKHWKHU�RQH�is a covenant member, a member of the

FKXUFK� RI� -HVXV� &KULVW�� ,� FRQWLQXH� WR� EH�XQSHUVXDGHG��<HV��MXVWL¿FDWLRQ�DQG�VDOYDWLRQ�don’t mean the same thing, but they have

WKH�VDPH�UHIHUHQW��6DOYDWLRQ�PHDQV�WKDW�RQH�is spared from the eschatological wrath to

FRPH�� ZKLOH� MXVWL¿FDWLRQ� PHDQV� WKDW� RQH�LV� GHFODUHG� WR� EH� ULJKW� RQ� WKH� ¿QDO� GD\��:ULJKW�KLPVHOI�VD\V�WKDW�WKLV�HVFKDWRORJLFDO�

BOTH SALVATION AND JUSTIFICATION, THEN, ARE SOTERIOLOGICAL REALITIES. JUSTIFICATION MOST NATURALLY REFERS TO ONE WHO IS DECLARED TO BE IN THE RIGHT BEFORE GOD, AND THAT FITS BETTER WITH SOTERIOLOGY RATHER THAN ECCLESIOLOGY.

Edgardo José Soto Brito
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verdict has been declared in advance, the

end time announcement has been declared

in advance with reference to those who

EHOLHYH�LQ�-HVXV�&KULVW��:KHQ�KH�WDONV�OLNH�this, it seems that he is thinking mainly of

VRWHULRORJ\�� L�H��� RXU� UHODWLRQVKLS� WR� *RG��KHQFH� WKH� FRQIXVLRQ� PHQWLRQHG� DERYH���%RWK� VDOYDWLRQ� DQG� MXVWL¿FDWLRQ�� WKHQ�� DUH�VRWHULRORJLFDO� UHDOLWLHV�� -XVWL¿FDWLRQ� PRVW�naturally refers to one who is declared to be

LQ�WKH�ULJKW�EHIRUH�*RG��DQG�WKDW�¿WV�EHWWHU�ZLWK�VRWHULRORJ\�UDWKHU�WKDQ�HFFOHVLRORJ\�

:ULJKW�RIWHQ�VD\V�WKDW�WKRVH�ZKR�KROG�RQWR�the so-called old perspective distort Paul,

since they speak of putting one’s faith in

&KULVW� DQG� WKHQ� JRLQJ� WR� KHDYHQ��:ULJKW�VD\V�WKLV�LV�IXQGDPHQWDOO\�ÀDZHG�VLQFH�WKH�promise is not an ethereal heavenly existence

EXW� WKH� QHZ� FUHDWLRQ�� :H� FDQ� JUDQW� WKLV�point as a good corrective, though most old

SHUVSHFWLYH�VFKRODUV�,�NQRZ�DOUHDG\�DJUHH�WKDW�RXU�IXWXUH�GHVWLQ\�LV�D�QHZ�FUHDWLRQ��,Q�RWKHU� ZRUGV��:ULJKW¶V� SURSRVDO� DERXW� WKH�new creation isn’t as new and as radical as

KH�WKLQNV�LW�LV��6WLOO��KH�ULJKWO\�VD\V�WKDW�RXU�future life will be in a transformed world, a

QHZ�FUHDWLRQ��

,I� RXU� GHVWLQ\� LV� WKH� QHZ� FUHDWLRQ�� WKH�VRWHULRORJLFDO� GLPHQVLRQ� RI� MXVWL¿FDWLRQ�still remains, for only those who are

MXVWL¿HG�ZLOO�HQWHU�WKH�QHZ�FUHDWLRQ��7KRVH�who face God’s eschatological wrath will

H[SHULHQFH� WKH� ¿QDO� MXGJPHQW� LQVWHDG� RI�

SDUWLFLSDWLQJ� LQ� WKH� QHZ� FUHDWLRQ��:ULJKW�doesn’t deny the wrath of God and the

judgment to come, but in an exceedingly

long book on Paul it doesn’t receive

HQRXJK� DWWHQWLRQ� RU� FRPPHQW�� ,Q� RWKHU�words, he waxes eloquently on the unity

RI� WKH� FKXUFK� �D� KRUL]RQWDO� UHDOLW\��� EXW�E\� FRPSDULVRQ� KLV� UHÀHFWLRQV� RQ� *RG¶V�ZUDWK�DQG�WKH�¿QDO�MXGJPHQW�DUH�UHODWLYHO\�DEEUHYLDWHG��7KH�EUHYLW\�RI�KLV� FRPPHQWV�have consequences, for he doesn’t give the

same weight to escaping God’s wrath and

WKH�¿QDO� MXGJPHQW� WKDW�3DXO�GRHV��*HWWLQJ�the story right doesn’t mean just including

every bit of the story; it also means that

each element in Paul’s theology is given

SURSHU�ZHLJKW�

,� DP� QRW� PDNLQJ� DQ\� DFFXVDWLRQV� KHUH�DERXW� :ULJKW¶V� RUWKRGR[\� RU� HYDQJHOLFDO�FUHGHQWLDOV�� ,W� LV� D� PDWWHU� RI� HPSKDVLV�LQVWHDG� RI� GHQLDO�� 6WLOO�� LW� VHHPV� WKDW� KH�HPSKDVL]HV� WKH� KRUL]RQWDO� PXFK� PRUH�WKDQ�KH� VWUHVVHV� WKH�YHUWLFDO��%RWK� WKHPHV�DUH�FHUWDLQO\�SUHVHQW��1HYHUWKHOHVV��:ULJKW�doesn’t give us an in-depth and profound

GLVFXVVLRQ�RQ�WKH�QDWXUH�RI�VLQ�LQ�3DXO��+H�UHSHDWHGO\�VD\V�WKDW�WKH�SUREOHP�LV�VLQ��<HV�DQG� \HV�� %XW� KH� GRHVQ¶W� OLQJHU� RYHU�ZKDW�VLQ�LV�RU�XQSDFN�LWV�VLJQL¿FDQFH��+H�GRHVQ¶W�focus on its refusal to honor and glorify

*RG��2EYLRXVO\�� KH� EHOLHYHV� WKHVH� WKLQJV��but the emphasis and the passion seem to be

HOVHZKHUH��%XW�LI�WKH�IXQGDPHQWDO�DQG�PRVW�KRUUHQGRXV�LVVXH�LQ�OLIH�LV�VLQ��L�H���UHEHOOLRQ�

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against God, a proud and stubborn refusal

to honor God as God, then one of the most

important issues is whether one can be

saved from God’s wrath; whether one will

EH� VDYHG� �GHOLYHUHG��RU� MXVWL¿HG� �GHFODUHG�WR�EH�LQ�WKH�ULJKW��RQ�WKH�ODVW�GD\��

:ULJKW� ZULWHV�PRYLQJO\� RQ� WKH� DVVXUDQFH�MXVWL¿FDWLRQ� JLYHV� WR� EHOLHYHUV�� IRU� WKRVH�ZKR� DUH� MXVWL¿HG� FDQ� EH� VXUH� RI� ¿QDO�VDOYDWLRQ�� +H� KHOSIXOO\� UHLWHUDWHV� WKDW�MXVWL¿FDWLRQ� LV� IRUHQVLF�DQG�QRW� D�SURFHVV��,W�LV�D�YHUGLFW��D�GHFODUDWLRQ�IURP�*RG�WKDW�JLYHV� EHOLHYHUV¶� FRQ¿GHQFH� DV� WKH\� IDFH�WKH�¿QDO�GD\�� ,�ZRQGHUHG�DJDLQ�KRZ�VXFK�D�VWDWHPHQW�¿W�ZLWK�FRYHQDQW�PHPEHUVKLS�RU� FRYHQDQW� IDLWKIXOQHVV� DV� WKH� GH¿QLWLRQ�SURYLGHG�IRU�MXVWL¿FDWLRQ��IRU�WKH�HPSKDVLV�RQ� DVVXUDQFH� VHHPV� WR� SXW� MXVWL¿FDWLRQ� LQ�the realm of soteriology, where there is

FRQ¿GHQFH�DERXW�LQGLYLGXDO�¿QDO�VDOYDWLRQ��

:ULJKW¶V� VWDWHPHQW� DERXW� LQGLYLGXDO�DVVXUDQFH� UDLVHV� DQRWKHU� TXHVWLRQ��+H�LQVLVWV� ULJKWO\� WKDW� MXVWL¿FDWLRQ� LVQ¶W�D� SURFHVV�� 2QH� GRHVQ¶W� EHFRPH�PRUH�MXVWL¿HG� DV� WLPH� SDVVHV�� DQG� WKRVH�ZKR� DUH� MXVWL¿HG� DUH� DVVXUHG� RI� ¿QDO�VDOYDWLRQ�� 2Q� WKH� RWKHU� KDQG��:ULJKW�DOVR�VD\V�WKDW�¿QDO�MXVWL¿FDWLRQ�LV�EDVHG�RQ�ZRUNV��,I�¿QDO�MXVWL¿FDWLRQ�LV�EDVHG�on works, then how can believers have

DVVXUDQFH�WKDW�WKH\�ZLOO�EH�MXVWL¿HG�RQ�WKH� ¿QDO� GD\"� :ULJKW� QHYHU� DQVZHUV�RU� DWWHPSWV� WR� DQVZHU� WKDW� TXHVWLRQ�� ,�would suggest along with many others

that it is better to conceive of works as the

IUXLW� RU� HYLGHQFH� RI� MXVWL¿FDWLRQ�� :ULJKW�knows the distinction posited here but

¿QGV�LW�WR�EH�XQKHOSIXO��6WLOO��WKH�ODQJXDJH�of basis should be rejected, for it suggests

that works are the foundation of our right-

standing with God, but how can that be the

FDVH� LI� MXVWL¿FDWLRQ� LV�E\�JUDFH"�$QG�KRZ�FDQ�ZH�WUXO\�KDYH�DVVXUDQFH�LI�MXVWL¿FDWLRQ�is based in part on works? Paul grounds

MXVWL¿FDWLRQ�RQ� WKH� GHDWK� DQG� UHVXUUHFWLRQ�RI�-HVXV�&KULVW��-XVW�DV�-HVXV�ZDV�GHFODUHG�to be in the right at his resurrection, so too

DOO�WKRVH�ZKR�DUH�XQLWHG�ZLWK�&KULVW�E\�IDLWK�also stand in the right because they belong

WR�WKH�RQH�ZKR�KDV�EHHQ�YLQGLFDWHG�E\�*RG�

$VVXUDQFH�DQG�¿QDO�MXVWL¿FDWLRQ�DUH�OLQNHG�WR�LPSXWDWLRQ��,Q�RQH�VHQVH�:ULJKW�VHHPV�WR�believe in imputation, for he says believers

are in the right with God because they have

WRIGHT INSISTS RIGHTLY THAT JUSTIFICATION ISN’T A PROCESS. ONE DOESN’T BECOME MORE JUSTIFIED AS TIME PASSES, AND THOSE WHO ARE JUSTIFIED ARE ASSURED OF FINAL SALVATION. ON THE OTHER HAND, WRIGHT ALSO SAYS THAT FINAL JUSTIFICATION IS BASED ON WORKS. IF FINAL JUSTIFICATION IS BASED ON WORKS, THEN HOW CAN BELIEVERS HAVE ASSURANCE THAT THEY WILL BE JUSTIFIED ON THE FINAL DAY?

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GLHG� DQG� ULVHQ� ZLWK� &KULVW� �5RP�� ���� ,Q�any case, the issue shouldn’t be limited to

whether it is legitimate to speak of active

DQG�SDVVLYH�ULJKWHRXVQHVV��:KDW�LV�DW�VWDNH�LV� ZKHWKHU� &KULVW� LV� RXU� ULJKWHRXVQHVV��ZKHWKHU� RXU� ULJKWHRXVQHVV� ¿QDOO\� OLHV�outside of ourselves and is found in Jesus

&KULVW�� ,W� VHHPV� WKDW� 5RPDQV� ��������WHDFKHV�WKDW�&KULVW¶V�ULJKWHRXVQHVV�LV�RXUV��IRU�EHOLHYHUV�DUH�XQLWHG�ZLWK�&KULVW��DQG�DOO�WKDW�KH�LV�IRU�XV��LQVWHDG�RI�EHLQJ�XQLWHG�ZLWK�$GDP�� $QRWKHU� FOHDU� WH[W� RQ� LPSXWDWLRQ�LV���&RULQWKLDQV�������7KH�RQH�ZKR�QHYHU�sinned took our sin upon himself, so that

we receive God’s righteousness as we are

XQLWHG�ZLWK�-HVXV�&KULVW��

:ULJKW¶V� REMHFWLRQV� �VWDWHG� DERYH�� WR�WKLV� UHDGLQJ� RI� �� &RULQWKLDQV� ����� DUHQ¶W�FRPSHOOLQJ�IRU�WKUHH�UHDVRQV�����:H�HQMR\�*RG¶V�ULJKWHRXVQHVV�EHFDXVH�RI�ZKDW�&KULVW�KDV� GRQH�� KLV� VLQOHVV� OLIH� DQG� VDFUL¿FLDO�GHDWK��+H� GLHG� DV� D� VXEVWLWXWH� IRU� XV�� DQG�KHQFH�KLV� GHDWK� LV� RXU� GHDWK��%HFDXVH�ZH�DUH�XQLWHG�ZLWK�&KULVW��*RG¶V�ULJKWHRXVQHVV��ULJKW�VWDQGLQJ�ZLWK�*RG��LV�JUDQWHG�WR�XV��

7KLV� LV� D� ULJKWHRXVQHVV� WKDW� LV� RXUV� RQO\�WKURXJK�WKH�ZRUN�RI�-HVXV�&KULVW�����:ULJKW�WKLQNV� WKH� YHUE� ³EHFRPH´� �JHQǀPHWKD��can’t be equative, that the verb carries

WKH� QRWLRQ� RI� ³EHFRPLQJ�´� %XW� WKH� YHUE�³EHFRPH´� �JLQRPDL�� LV� YHU\� ÀH[LEOH� LQ�Paul, and it can easily be taken as equative

�FI�� 5RP�� ������ ������ �� &RU�� ������ �������%XW� HYHQ� LI� WKH� YHUE�PHDQV� ³EHFRPH�´� LW�doesn’t rule out imputation, for believers

become something they weren’t before

�³ULJKWHRXV�´�� E\� YLUWXH� RI� XQLRQ� ZLWK�&KULVW��7KH\�UHFHLYH�ULJKW�VWDQGLQJ�ZLWK�*RG�DV�D�JLIW������7KH�¿UVW�SHUVRQ�SOXUDO�SURQRXQ�doesn’t indicate Paul is only thinking of his

DSRVWROLF�PLQLVWU\��3DXO¶V�XVH�RI�SURQRXQV�LV� DOVR� ÀH[LEOH� DQG� VKRXOGQ¶W�EH� VWUDLWMDFNHWHG�� <HV�� WKH� ¿UVW�person plural in the previous

verse refers to Paul, but Paul

VKLIWV� EHWZHHQ� WKH� ¿UVW� SHUVRQ�plural as a reference to himself

DQG� WKH� ¿UVW� SHUVRQ� SOXUDO� DV� D�UHIHUHQFH�WR�DOO�&KULVWLDQV�LQ�WKLV�very paragraph, for when Paul

VD\V�³*RG�UHFRQFLOHG�XV´�LQ���&RULQWKLDQV�������KH�LVQ¶W�OLPLWLQJ�WKDW�DFWLRQ�WR�KLPVHOI�EXW� LQFOXGHV� DOO� EHOLHYHUV�� 6R� WRR�� LQ� ��&RULQWKLDQV� ����� WKH� ³ZH´�PRVW� QDWXUDOO\�UHIHUV�WR�DOO�EHOLHYHUV��

Since we are talking about new perspective

PDWWHUV�� RQH� RWKHU� LVVXH� VKRXOG� EH� UDLVHG��:ULJKW� VWLOO� ZULWHV� DV� LI� (�� 3�� 6DQGHUV¶V�YLVLRQ�RI�-XGDLVP��KLV�FRYHQDQWDO�QRPLVP��

WHAT IS AT STAKE IS WHETHER CHRIST IS OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS, WHETHER OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS FINALLY LIES OUTSIDE OF OURSELVES AND IS FOUND IN JESUS CHRIST.

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LV�FRPSOHWHO\�FRQYLQFLQJ��%XW�WKHUH�LV�QRZ�SOHQW\�RI�evidence out there about

WKH� GLYHUVLW\� RI� -XGDLVP��6RPH�-HZV�ZHUH�OHJDOLVWLF��7KDW� LV� SODLQ� IURP� /XNH��������� DORQH�� /HJDOLVP�isn’t a Jewish problem

EXW� D� KXPDQ� SUREOHP��,� EHOLHYH� WKLV� LV� D� PRUH�FRQYLQFLQJ�UHDGLQJ�RI�WH[WV�OLNH�5RPDQV���WKDQ�WKH�RQH�:ULJKW�SRVLWV��<HV��H[FOXVLYLVP�and nationalism and boundary markers

ZHUH� D� SUREOHP�� 7KH� QHZ� SHUVSHFWLYH�KDV� KHOSHG� XV� VHH� WKDW� VR� FOHDUO\��:H� DUH�JUDWHIXO�IRU�D�FOHDU�UHPLQGHU�RQ�WKLV�PDWWHU��%XW� QHZ� SHUVSHFWLYLVWV� OLNH�:ULJKW� GRQ¶W�VHHP�RSHQ�WR�DQ\�PRGL¿FDWLRQ�RI�6DQGHUV¶V�FRQVWUXDO�RI�-XGDLVP��7KH\�LQVLVW�WKDW�WKHUH�LV� QR� SROHPLF� DJDLQVW� OHJDOLVP� LQ� 3DXO�� ,W�seems that some new perspectivists aren’t

DV�RSHQ�DV�VRPH�ROG�SHUVSHFWLYH�DGKHUHQWV��:H� VHH� D� ERWK�DQG� SUREOHP� LQ� 3DXO��ERWK� H[FOXVLYLVP� DQG� OHJDOLVP�� 7KH� QHZ�perspective has helped us see an emphasis

WKDW� ZDV� WRR� RIWHQ� QHJOHFWHG�� %XW�:ULJKW�insists that it is only one way; there is only

RQH� SUREOHP� �QDWLRQDOLVWLF� H[FOXVLYLVP���and he continues to advocate this line,

even though there are good historical and

exegetical reasons to see also a polemic

DJDLQVW� OHJDOLVP� LQ� 3DXO¶V� OHWWHUV�� +HUH� LV�DQRWKHU�SODFH�ZKHUH�:ULJKW�IRFXVHV�RQ�WKH�KRUL]RQWDO��ERXQGDU\�PDUNHUV��DQG�IDLOV�WR�VHH�WKH�YHUWLFDO��RQH¶V�UHODWLRQVKLS�WR�*RG��

Final Word

'LVFXVVLQJ� GLVDJUHHPHQWV� KDV� D� QHJDWLYH�side effect, for we tend to focus on those

DQG� WR� IRUJHW� ZKHUH� ZH� DJUHH�� 6R� WRR�here, the concerns and disagreements may

cause us to neglect the many places where

WKHUH� LV� DJUHHPHQW�� 6R�� OHW� PH� VD\� DJDLQ�KRZ�WKDQNIXO�,�DP�IRU�WKH�VFKRODUVKLS�DQG�ZLVGRP�HYLGHQW� LQ�:ULJKW¶V�ZRUN��:H� DOO�stand in his debt, for he has helped us to

see in a new way the coherence, historical

URRWHGQHVV�� DQG� SUDFWLFDO� UDPL¿FDWLRQV� RI�3DXOLQH� WKHRORJ\��:ULJKW¶V� ZRUN� RQ� 3DXO�ZLOO�EH�SUR¿WHG�IURP�DQG�UHDG�IRU�\HDUV�WR�FRPH��0D\�WKH�FRQYHUVDWLRQ�FRQWLQXH�ZLWK�FKDULW\��JUDFH��DQG�IRUWKULJKW�GLDORJXH�

Thomas R. Schreiner is James Buchanan Harrison Professor of New Testament Interpretation and Professor of Biblical Theology, as well as Associate Dean of the School of Theology at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

WRIGHT STILL WRITES AS IF E. P. 6$1'(56á6�9,6,21�2)�-8'$,60��+,6�

&29(1$17$/�120,60��,6�&203/(7(/<�CONVINCING. BUT THERE IS NOW PLENTY

OF EVIDENCE OUT THERE ABOUT THE DIVERSITY OF JUDAISM. SOME JEWS WERE

LEGALISTIC. THAT IS PLAIN FROM LUKE 18:9-14 ALONE. LEGALISM ISN’T A JEWISH

PROBLEM BUT A HUMAN PROBLEM.