The Paul Page

Dedicated to the New Perspective on Paul

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Introduction

Over the last three decades, a revolutionary breakthrough in New Testament scholarship has been rocking the academic Christian world. The scholars at the forefront of the revolution -- E.P. Sanders, James D.G. Dunn, N.T. Wright, and others -- have been pioneering a new approach to the letters of the first-century apostle to the Gentiles, Paul of Tarsus.

These Protestants are engaging first-century Judaism on its own terms, not in the context of the Protestant-Catholic debates of the sixteenth century. The result: A new historical perspective on the meaning of Paul's polemic against the Judaizers which occupies so much of his recorded correspondence.

What is this new perspective? At its core is the recognition that Judaism is not a religion of self-righteousness whereby humankind seeks to merit salvation before God. Paul's argument with the Judaizers was not about Christian grace versus Jewish legalism. His argument was rather about the status of Gentiles in the church. Paul's doctrine of justification, therefore, had far more to do with Jewish-Gentile issues than with questions of the individual's status before God.

This new perspective on Paul promises to help us:

  • Better understand Paul and the early church;
  • Reconcile contemporary biblical scholarship with theology;
  • Build common ground between Catholics and Protestants;
  • Improve dialogue between Christians and Jews; and
  • Flesh out a theological foundation for social justice.

This web page is a small tribute to this revolutionary new perspective.

Now available from Eerdmans:

“No student of the new perspective on Paul can afford to overlook Dunn’s latest contribution to the ongoing discussion. His new and expanded 50,000-word introductory essay alone is worth the price of this anthology of his writings on the topic, which span from 1983 to 2004. The New Perspective on Paul: Revised Edition belongs on the bookshelf of every Pauline scholar.” - The Paul Page

Articles

A Covenantal View of Atonement by Caleb F. Heppner articulates an alternative Anabaptist view of atonement. (Updated 4/17/04)

A Man More Sinned Against than Sinning? A Response to Carl Trueman by James D.G. Dunn. This response to Carl Trueman reiterates Dunn's affirmation of justification by grace through faith. (Added 2/15/04)

An Evening Conversation on Paul with James D.G. Dunn and N.T. Wright is an edited transcript of the second half of a conversation recorded on October 25, 2004. (Added 1/11/07) The complete Conversation can be downloaded in PDF format from the N.T. Wright Page. (Link added 4/29/07)

A “New Perspective” Reading of Central Texts in Romans 1-4 by Don Garlington is a paper prepared for the Evangelical Theological Society. Available in PDF format. (Added 8/15/06)

An Interview with Filmmaker Robert Orlando by Mark M. Mattison explores Orlando’s project to create a documentary on Paul. (Updated 5/22/06)

A Response to “Not the New Perspective” by Kevin Bywater. This article addresses the criticism of Francis Watson. (Link added 8/20/04)

A Shorter Commentary on Galatians by Don Garlington is a less technical version of An Exposition of Galatians: A Reading from the New Perspective. (Link added 5/11/08)

A Summary of the New Perspective on Paul by Mark M. Mattison. A chronological overview with some theological reflection. (Updated 6/22/06) A Criticism has been prepared by Chan Lai Ping. (Link added 6/19/02)

Confronting Legalism or Exclusivism? Reconsidering Key Pauline Passages by Mark M. Mattison. An exegetical study of key Pauline texts in light of the new perspective. (Updated 1/7/04)

Demythologizing the Gospel by Rance Darity. The Christian gospel is not just about the status of the individual before God, but about social justice as well. (Added 5/6/99)

Evangelio y Teología en Gálatas por N.T. Wright, traducido por L.A. Jovel y revisado por J. Navarro. Available in PDF format. (Added 2/4/06) Also available in HTML format here (link added 2/22/06) and in PDF format as Gospel and Theology in Galatians.

“Even We Have Believed:” Galatians 2:15-16 Revisited by Don Garlington considers Paul’s polemic in light of his opponents’ distinction between “saints” and “sinners.” Available in PDF format. (Added 2/23/05)

Justification and the Righteousness of God in the Pauline Corpus by Wan Chee Keong argues that whereas in Galatians the covenant aspect of justification is primary, nevertheless in other Pauline letters the individual “acquittal” aspect is primary. (Added 4/22/06)

La Nueva Perspectiva de Pablo por Michael B. Thompson traducido por L.A. Jovel y revisado por J. Navarro is an excellent introduction to the new perspective. Available in PDF format. (Added 5/22/06)

Letting Paul be: A Radical Interpretation of Galatians by Wan Chee Keong argues for an approach to Galatians largely sympathetic to the new perspective. Available in PDF format. (Added 3/30/07)

New Perspectives on Evangelism: Insights from Biblical Theology by Aram DiGennaro considers the theology of Christian evangelism in light of the new perspective. (Added 7/6/05)

N.T. Wright’s Treatment of the Theology of Justification by Todd McClure is a summary of Wright’s position. (Added 8/7/04)

Not Either/Or but Both/And by Wan Chee Keong. This article argues that the new perspective and Lutheran theology need not be held in tension. (Updated 5/22/06)

On Being Tendentious: D.A. Carson’s “Summaries and Conclusions” in Justification and Variegated Nomism, Vol. 1 by Kevin Bywater considers Carson’s misrepresentation of the contents of that volume. Available in PDF format. (Added 4/21/07)

Paul as the New Abraham by Pamela Eisenbaum. Postulating Abraham as Paul's missionary model helps explain the seeming contradictions in Paul's understanding of himself. (Added 1/18/03)

The New Perspective and Catholic-Protestant Debate by Edward L. Hamilton. The new perspective presents unique challenges to both Protestant and Catholic approaches to justification. (Added 8/2/02)

The New Perspective on Paul by James D.G. Dunn is the 1982 Manson Memorial Lecture in which Dunn coined the phrase “the new perspective on Paul.” (Added 12/17/07)

The New Perspective on Paul: A Bibliographical Essay by Michael F. Bird is an extensive listing of resources. (Updated 11/11/05)

The New Perspective on Paul: An Appraisal Two Decades On by Don Garlington is an overview from a sympathetic Reformed perspective. Available in PDF format. (Added 5/2/05)

The "Righteousness" of Romans and Galatians, and the Gospel of Christ by Edward L. Hamilton. The new perspective can help to account for the difference of emphasis and terminology between the Gospels and Paul. (Added 10/4/02)

The Shape of Justification by N.T. Wright. This eloquent response to Paul Barnett also addresses the most serious criticisms of a variety of authors. (Updated 2/7/02) Also available as El estado de la justificación, traducido por Eva Navarro Estrada, revisado por Jonathan Navarro Estrada (added 5/26/05) and in HTML format here. (Link added 2/22/06)

The Testament of Abraham: What is its Message? How has it been (mis)used? What can we Learn? by Kevin Bywater examines the way in which this text has been used by critics of the new perspective. Available in PDF format. (Added 4/21/07) VanLandingham on Testament of Abraham is a follow-up blog entry. (Added 5/3/07)

Tom Holland on the New Perspective by Mark M. Mattison reflects on a March 2006 lecture at the Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary. (Link added 3/28/06) Tom Holland's Response is now included. (Added 10/8/06)

Toward a Richer Doctrine of Justification by Wan Chee Keong. This article considers multiple facets of justification. (Added 8/26/04)

What Is the New Perspective on Paul? by Edward L. Hamilton. A brief summary. (Added 3/21/02)

 

Book Reviews

An Exposition of Galatians: A Reading from the New Perspective by Don Garlington as reviewed by Kent L. Yinger. Available in PDF format. (Added 9/8/07)

Contours of Pauline Theology: A Radical New Survey of the Influences on Paul’s Biblical Writings by Tom Holland as reviewed by Mark M. Mattison. (Added 12/5/04)

Covenant, Justification, and Pastoral Ministry: Essays by the Faculty of Westminster Seminary California as reviewed by Stephen Young. Available in PDF format. (Added 4/21/07)

Imputation or Union with Christ? A Response to John Piper by Don Garlington is a response to Piper's book Counted Righteous in Christ: Should We Abandon the Imputation of Christ's Righteousness? Available in PDF format. (Added 1/23/04) Imputation or Union with Christ? A Rejoinder to John Piper is a follow-up. Available in PDF format. (Added 3/16/05)

Jews, Gentiles and Ethnic Reconciliation: Paul’s Jewish Identity and Ephesians by Tet-Lim N. Yee as reviewed by Timothy G. Gombis. Available in PDF format. (Added 5/31/06)

Justification and Variegated Nomism Vol. 1: The Complexities of Second Temple Judaism, ed. by D.A. Carson, Peter T. O'Brien, and Mark A. Seifrid as reviewed by Don Garlington. Available in PDF format. (Added 11/12/03)

Justification and Variegated Nomism: Volume 2: The Paradoxes of Paul, ed. by D.A. Carson, Peter T. O'Brien, and Mark A. Seifrid as reviewed by Timothy Gombis in Themelios. Available in PDF format. (Added 3/20/06)

Justification in Perspective: Historical Developments and Contemporary Challenges, ed. by Bruce L. McCormack, as reviewed by Timothy G. Gombis. Available in PDF format. (Added 2/8/08)

Paul: A Short Introduction by Morna D. Hooker as reviewed by Mark M. Mattison. (Added 4/12/03)

Paul and the Mosaic Law, edited by James D.G. Dunn, as reviewed by Mark M. Mattison. (Updated 2/15/02)

Paul in Israel’s Story: Self and Community at the Cross by John L. Meech as reviewed by Mark M. Mattison. (Added 9/21/06)

Reinventing Paul by John G. Gager as reviewed by Robert Egolf. (Added 6/5/01)

Reinventing Paul by John G. Gager as reviewed by Jeffrey Krantz. (Added 8/16/01)

Reinventing Paul by John G. Gager as reviewed by Robert Orlando. (Added 7/13/02)

Story as Torah: Reading Old Testament Narratives Ethically by Gordon J. Wenham as reviewed by Don Garlington. Available in PDF format. (Added 3/22/05)

The Apostle Paul and the Introspective Conscience of the West in Paul Among Jews and Gentiles by Krister Stendahl as reviewed by Bill DeJong. (Added 7/22/02)

The New Perspective on Paul by Michael B. Thompson as reviewed by Mark M. Mattison. (Added 6/27/03)

The New Perspective on Paul: Revised Edition by James D.G. Dunn as reviewed by Mark M. Mattison. (Added 2/8/08)

The New Testament and the People of God by N.T. Wright as reviewed by Mark M. Mattison. (Updated 10/5/01)

The Survivors of Israel: A Reconsideration of the Theology of Pre-Christian Judaism by Mark Adam Elliot as reviewed by Don Garlington. Available in PDF format. (Added 3/23/03)

Where Is Boasting: Early Jewish Soteriology and Paul's Response in Romans 1-5 by Simon J. Gathercole as reviewed by Don Garlington. Available in PDF format. (Updated 4/29/04)

 

The New Perspective Elsewhere on the Web

 

Articles On the New Perspective

An Explanation of the New Perspective on Paul by Bryan Chapell is an overview of the new perspective and Federal Vision theology within the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA). (Link updated 12/11/06)

An Interview with E.P. Sanders: “Paul, Context, and Interpretation” by Michael Barnes Norton was published in the Journal of Philosophy & Scripture. (Link added 8/11/05)

An Interview with N.T. Wright is from the Criswell Theological Review. Available in PDF format. (Link added 4/22/06)

Are Wright's Critics Misreading Him? by Marke Horne is a response to Douglas Kelly and Richard Phillips. (Link added 12/8/03)

A Short Note on N.T. Wright and His Reformed Critics by Rich Lusk. This article argues that Wright's approach to Paul is not inconsistent with Reformed theology. (Link updated 5/10/02)

Bibliography: Brief Annotations on Studies in Paul by Tim Gallant is a list of key books dealing with the new perspective. (Link added 8/7/04)

Bibliography of Works on the New Perspective on Paul by Dennis M. Swanson was published in The Master’s Seminary Journal in Fall 2005. Available in PDF format. (Link added 8/2/06)

Coming Home to St. Paul? Reading Romans a Hundred Years after Charles Gore by N.T. Wright. This lecture outlines Wright's approach to Romans. (Link updated 11/11/07)

Covenantal Nomism? by Tim Gallant is a comparative Review of E. P. Sanders, Paul and Palestinian Judaism & D. A. Carson, et al., Justification and Variegated Nomism: Volume 1 - The Complexities of Second Temple Judaism (Link updated 7/22/05).

E.P. Sanders and the New Perspective on Paul is a lecture outline by Peter M. Head. (Link added 7/9/01) A follow-up lecture outline is Responses to the New Perspective on Paul. (Link updated 5/3/02)

Gaffin's Conference on Justification by Doug Barnes is a summary from the Banner of Truth. (Link added 10/27/03)

Getting Some Perspective on the "New Perspective" by Marke Horne. This article argues that the new perspective does not threaten traditional Reformed theology. (Link added 10/4/02)

Introduction to The Cambridge Companion to St. Paul by James D.G. Dunn is an excerpt. Available in PDF format. (Link added 3/10/07)

Justification and Variegated Nomism is a seminar web page maintained by Peter M. Head. (Link added 5/17/02)

(Justification and Variegated Nomism) Chapter 6. Apocalypses by Richard Bauckham by Bill Salier. This is a response to Bauckham's examination of Sanders' reading of several apocalypses from Second Temple Judaism. (Link added 12/14/02)

M. Brockmuehl: 1QS and Salvation at Qumran by Bill Salier. This is a response to Bockmuehl's reading of 1QS. (Link added 12/14/02)

N.T. Wright – A Westminster Seminary Perspective by Doug Green is a slightly revised version of a post to the Wrightsaid e-mail discussion list. Available in PDF format. (Link added 4/25/05)

N.T. Wright & the New Perspective on Paul by Trevin K. Wax considers Wright’s contribution to the new perspective with specific reference to the doctrines of justification by faith and the imputation of Christ’s righteousness. Available in PDF format. (Link added 1/29/05)

N.T. Wright y la Nueva Perspectiva acerca de Pablo por Don Walker draws on the resources of The Paul Page to articulate Wright’s contribution to the new perspective and evangelical theology. Available in PDF format. (Link updated 12/18/04)

New Perspective on Paul Symposium is a collection of audio files from a symposium at Covenant Theological Seminary in 2004. (Link added 5/29/05)

New Perspectives on Paul by N.T. Wright is a transcript of a 2003 Edinburgh Conference lecture. Available in PDF format. (Link updated 9/16/04)

No Acolyte of Rome by Neil Elliott. This article from Sojourners magazine argues that Paul was not a social conservative. (Link updated 10/10/04)

On Re-Reading Paul by Brendan Byrne. This excellent article summing up the new perspective is a follow-up to the booklet, Re-Reading Paul. (Link updated 3/12/03)

Pablo y la Ley. Al hilo de la controversia by Roberto Badenas. This article grapples with the meaning of the law in Paul's writings. Available in PDF format. (Link updated 3/12/03)

Paul & the Mosaic Law: The New Perspective by Alwyn Lau. This is a brief introduction to the issue. Was Second-Temple Judaism a legalistic religion? is a follow-up article. (Links added 11/21/02)

Paul and Judaism: The Apostle in the Context of Recent Interpretation by James W. Aageson is a helpful overview. Available in PDF format. (Link added 3/7/08)

Paul and the Law -- Part 2 by Robert Hunter. This brief article describes the work of E.P. Sanders, Heikki Räisänen and James D.G. Dunn. (Link added 2/15/02) Paul and the Law -- Part 3 is a follow-up article. (Link added 11/21/02)

Paul's Gentile problem is still "problem" for Jews by Martha Sawyer. This news article from the Star Tribune addresses the impact of the new perspective on Jewish-Christian dialogue. (Link added 2/20/02)

Paul in Different Perspectives by N.T. Wright is a lecture from the 2005 Auburn Avenue Conference. (Link added 7/13/05) Also available in PDF format as Paulo em Diferentes Perspectivas. (Link added 9/5/05)

Paul in Recent Research by John McRay is a survey of recent Pauline studies. (Link added 3/2/05)

Paul's Letter to the Galatians is an article which briefly summarizes the Galatian controversy in light of the new perspective. (Link added 11/21/02)

Paul the Jew by Brendan Byrne. This brief presentation introduces the booklet Re-Reading Paul. (Link updated 3/12/03)

Paula Fredriksen: Paul and Paula is an on-line interview from Vision. (Link added 9/21/06)

Pavel v Nové Perspektivě is a summary of the new perspective. (Link added 2/18/05)

Putting the New Perspective Into Perspective: Some Thoughts on Second Temple Judaism by Rich Lusk poses questions about Sanders' reevaluation of second-temple Judaism. (Link added 11/12/03)

Reading Romans Anew by Rita Halteman Finger. This Sojourners article articulates the new perspective and its implication for interpreting Romans. (Link updated 10/10/04)

Recent Studies on Paul the Apostle by Mark Thiessen Nation. This brief summary highlights several resources. (Link updated 10/28/03)

Reform for the Sake of Reformation is a personal apologia by Tim Gallant. (Link added 8/31/05)

Re-Reading Paul: A fresh look at his attitude to Torah and to Judaism. This on-line booklet from the Council of Christians and Jews in Victoria, Australia, proposes some guidelines for Christian teachers in their use of Paul's letters. Based on a paper by Brendan Byrne. (Link updated 3/12/03)

Richard Deibert on Daniel Falk on Ed Sanders. This is a response to Daniel Falk's criticism of Sanders' reading of the prayers and religious poetry of Second Temple Judaism. Available in PDF format. (Link added 12/14/02)

Some Random Thoughts on N.T. Wright's Romans Commentary by Rich Lusk evaluates Wright's commentary from a sympathetic Reformed perspective. (Link added 11/12/03)

Some Reflections on Hermeneutics and Method: A Reply to Guy Waters by Nicholas Perrin originally appeared in Westminster Theological Journal. Available in PDF format. (Link added 9/12/06)

Sounding the Alarm: N.T. Wright and Evangelical Theology by Travis Tamerius originally appeared in Volume 11.2 (Spring 2002) of The Reformation & Revival Journal. (Link added 2/9/06)

Survey of Selected Monographs by Colin Kruse is chapter one of his book Paul, the Law, and Justification. Available in PDF format. (Link added 6/27/02)

Taking Another Look at Paul by Bill Tammeus is a Kansas City Star article. (Link added 1/29/05)

The Doctrine of Justification in the Work of N.T. Wright is an audio lecture series by Bill Wilder with downloadable MP3 files along with PDF files of the PowerPoint presentations. (Link added 4/25/05)

The Justification of Covenantal Nomism by Richard I. Deibert is a response to Justification and Variegated Nomism. Available in PDF format. (Link added 12/14/02)

The New Perspective on Paul and Second Temple Judaism: A Dialectic of Appreciation and Critique and a Call for Further Study by Rich Lusk is an article from The Tanglewood Journal. (Link added 7/13/04)

The PCA and the NPP: Why a Denomination with Southern Presbyterian Roots Should Carefully Consider the "New Perspective on Paul" by Rich Lusk is an appeal from the assistant pastor of Auburn Avenue Presbyterian Church. (Link added 2/16/04)

The Real Test of "The New Perspective" by P. Andrew Sandlin argues that the real issue is neither the “New Perspective on Paul” nor the “Old Perspective on Paul” but rather the Biblical perspective on Paul. (Link added 12/17/03)

The Western Captivity of the Apostle Paul by Jack Poirier. An insightful treatment from Jerusalem Perspective. (Link updated 12/18/04)

Twenty-One Theses Toward Understanding Paul’s View of the Law by A.B. Caneday is a blog entry from Biblical Theological. (Link added 3/20/06)

What Did Paul Really Mean? by Simon Gathercole is a feature article from Christianity Today. (Link added 8/13/07)

What Saint Paul Should Have Said: Is Galatians a Polemic Against Legalism? by Tim Gallant. This Reformed article argues that a reading of Galatians in light of the new perspective does not threaten Protestantism. (Link updated 7/22/05)

What Was Wrong with Judaism? by Daniel Boyarin is chapter two of his book A Radical Jew: Paul and the Politics of Identity (Link updated 12/18/04)

When the Dust Finally Settles: Coming to a Post-New Perspective Perspective by Michael F. Bird is an article from the Criswell Theological Review. Available in PDF format. (Link added 5/31/06)

Works Righteousness and the Synagogue of Satan: Rethinking Christian Caricatures of 1st Century Judaism by Nigel B. Mitchell. This excellent article from Gesher demonstrates how the new perspective can help to correct anti-Semitic tendencies in the church. (Link updated 3/12/03)

 

Articles From the New Perspective

A Rejoinder to Robert A.J. Gagnon's "Why the 'Weak' at Rome Cannot Be Non-Christian Jews" by Mark D. Nanos responds to criticisms of his book, The Mystery of Romans. Available in PDF format. (Link updated 8/07/03)

"A Remedy for Having Been Born of Woman:" Jesus, Gender, and Genealogy in Romans by Palema Eisenbaum. This article explores the relationship between the sacrificial death of Jesus and the inclusion of the Gentiles in Paul's thought. Available in Microsoft Word format. (Link added 2/20/02) A substantially revised and annotated version appears as “A Remedy for Having Been Born of Woman: Jesus, Gentiles, and Genealogy in Romans” in the Winter 2004 edition of the Journal of Biblical Literature. Available in PDF format. (Link added 6/1/05)

Abraham and the Righteousness of God by Lloyd Gaston reconsiders the Pauline understanding of Genesis 15:6. (Link added 3/12/03)

Abraham in Romans 4: The Father of All Who Believe by Michael Cranford. This article from New Testament Studies examines Romans 4 from the new perspective. (Link updated 5/3/02)

Anglican Bishop N.T. Wright: Full Transcript is an interview from Radio National’s “The Religion Report.” (Link added 2/9/06)

Boast Not in Your Righteousness from the Law: A New Reading of Romans 10.6-8 by Douglas C. Mohrmann was published in the Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism. Available in PDF format. (Link added 8/18/05).

Communion and Koinonia: Pauline Reflections on Tolerance and Boundaries by N.T. Wright. This article from Latimer Focus explores modern-day applications of Paul's teaching. Also available in PDF format as Comunhão e Koinonia - Reflexões Paulinas Sobre Tolerância e Limites. (Link updated 5/2/05)

Ecclesiology and Ethics in 1 Corinthians by Richard B. Hays is an article from Ex Auditu. (Link added 1/28/05)

Exchanging Passions: The Apostle Paul’s Economy of Religious Identity by Paul Bellan-Boyer argues that Paul presents two economic models for passion: those of the empire, and those of the messianic community. Available in Microsoft Word format. (Link added 6/16/04)

God's Gospel, God's Son, God's Righteousness is the first of three lectures by N.T. Wright from a seminar named "Preaching and Teaching Romans" held on January 25, 2003 at Calvin Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, Michigan. New Exodus, New Creation, New Humanity is the second lecture.