Description
'For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God' (1 Cor. 7:19).
The apostle Paul's relationship to the Law of Moses is notoriously complex and much studied. Difficulties begin with questions of definition (of the extent of Paul's corpus and the meanings of 'the law') and are exacerbated by numerous problems of interpretation of the key texts. Major positions are entrenched, yet none of them seems to know what to do with all the pieces of the puzzle. Inextricably linked to Paul's view of the law is his teaching concerning salvation history, Israel, the church, anthropology, ethics and eschatology. Understanding 'Paul and the law' is critical to the study of the New Testament, because it touches on the perennial question of the relationship between the grace of God in the gift of salvation and the demand of God in the call for holy living. Misunderstanding can lead to distortions of one or both.
This fresh and valuable study is something of a breakthrough, bringing neglected evidence to the discussion and asking different questions of the material, while also building on the work of others. Brian Rosner argues that Paul undertakes a polemical re-evaluation of the Law of Moses, which involves not only its repudiation as law-covenant and its replacement by other things, but also its wholehearted re-appropriation as prophecy (with reference to the gospel) and as wisdom (for Christian living).
Endorsements
'Brian Rosner's strength lies in showing with patience and clarity how the apostle Paul articulates an array of complementary but quite different stances toward the law... This is a book to read slowly and appreciatively...'
- D. A. Carson
Table of Contents
List of tables
Series preface
Author's preface
Abbreviations
1 'Circumcision in nothing': The puzzle of Paul and the law
Paul's apparent inconsistency
Definition of terms: 'Paul', 'law' and 'believer'
An initial sounding: 1 Corinthians 7:19
Three moves
The way forward
A hermeneutical solution
2 'Not under the law': Explicit repudiation of the law as
law-covenant
Not under the law
The law as a failed path to life
Clarification and confirmation
The Origin of Paul's view
In Paul's own words (a summary and paraphrase)
3 Not 'walking according to the law': Implicit repudiation of the
law as law-covenant
The absence of 'walk according to the law' in Paul's ethics
Jewish identity and the law in Romans 2: 17-29
The omission of other terms in connection with the law
Paul's selective use of texts from Deuteronomy
Paul's labels for the law as law-covenant
Not in Paul's own words (a summary and paraphrase)
4 'Under the law of Christ': Replacement of the law
The Christ-Torah antitheses
Law of Moses substitutes
Fulfilling the law
Walking in newness of life
The language of newness
'Circumcision is nothing' complements
The centre of Paul's theology
In Paul's own words (a summary and paraphrase)
5 'Witness to the gospel': Reappropriation of the law as prophecy
Deuteronomy 9:4 and 30:11-14 in Romans 10: 6-9
The 'prophetic' character of the law
The law as prophecy in Romans
In Paul's own words (a summary and paraphrase)
6 'Written for our instruction': Reappropriation of the law as
wisdom
Paul, Scripture and ethics
The use of the law in the Psalms
The 'wisdom' character of the law
Paul the wisdom teacher
The law as wisdom in precept
The law as wisdom in practice
In Paul's own words (a summary and paraphrase)
7 'Keeping the commandments of God': A hermeneutical solution
A hermeneutical solution
The three signature steps across Paul's letters
Paul and the pillars of Judaism
The usefulness of the law
In Paul's own words (a summary and paraphrase)
Bibliography
Index of authors
Index of Scripture references
Product Details
Title: Paul and the Law: Keeping The Commandments Of God
Author: Brian S. Rosner
Publisher: Apollos
Pages: 256
Binding: Paperback
Size: 21.6 x 14.0 x 1.9 cm
ISBN: 9781844748914