In Defense Of The New Perspective On Paul

A renowned scholar calls for a change of direction for the study of Jesus in the 21st century.

The debate between proponents of the Old and New perspectives on Paul has been followed closely over the years, consolidating allegiances on either side. But the debate has now reached a stalemate, with defectors turning to apocalyptic and other solutions. Garwood Anderson recounts the issues and concludes that "both 'camps' are right, but not all the time." And with that teaser, he rolls up his exegetical sleeves and proceeds to unfold a new proposal for overcoming the deadlock. But in a field crowded with opinions, could anything new emerge? Anderson's interaction with Paul and his interpreters is at the highest level, and his penetrating and energetic analysis captures attention. What if Paul's own theological perspective was contextually formed and coherently developed over time? Have we asked justification to carry a burden it was never meant to bear? Would fresh eyes and a proper sequencing of Paul's letters reveal Paul's own new perspective? Might we turn a corner and find a bold and invigorating panorama of Pauline soteriology? This is a Pauline study worthy of its great theme, and one that will infuse new energy into the quest for understanding Paul's mind and letters.

The following book is comprised of a series of essays and reviews that have been produced over the past several years, all related, in one way or the other, to the New Perspective on Paul (NPP). This defense of the NPP takes the form of a combination of exegesis and extended book reviews. In endeavoring to defend the NPP, the eight chapters of this book contain a common thread, namely, that the movement generically bearing this moniker is not inimical to most historical/traditional systems of soteriology. Yet because of the rather volatile reaction of many, the volume seeks to redress the balance in favor of a more tempered approach to a highly controversial topic.

[(The New Perspective on Paul)] [By (author) James D G Dunn] published on (January, 2008) by James D G Dunn (2008).

The following book is comprised of a series of essays and reviews that have been produced over the past several years, all related, in one way or the other, to the New Perspective on Paul (NPP). This "defense" of the NPP takes the form of a combination of exegesis and extended book reviews. In endeavoring to "defend" the NPP, the eight chapters of this book contain a common thread, namely, that the movement generically bearing this moniker is not inimical to most historical/traditional systems of soteriology. Yet because of the rather volatile reaction of many, the volume seeks to redress the balance in favor of a more tempered approach to a highly controversial topic.

Ranks the Apostle Paul as "one of the most powerful and seminal minds of the first or any century," and argues that we can now sketch with confidence a new and more nuanced picture of Paul and the radical way in which his encounter with Jesus redefined his life, his mission and his expectations for a world made new in Christ. Reprint.