The Message of Paul the Apostle within Second Temple Judaism

Noting that a traditional understanding of Paul as “convert” from Judaism has fueled false and often dangerous stereotypes of Judaism, and that the so-called “new perspective on Paul” has not completely escaped these stereotypes, František Ábel has gathered leading international scholars to test the hypotheses of the more recent “Paul within Judaism” movement. Though hardly monolithic in their approach, these scholars’ explorations of specific topics concerning Second Temple Judaism and Paul’s message and theology allow a more contextually nuanced understanding of the apostle’s thought, one free from particular biases rooted in unacknowledged ideologies and traditional interpretations transmitted by particular church traditions. Contributors include František Ábel, Michael Bachmann, Daniel Boyarin, William S. Campbell, Kathy Ehrensperger, Paula Fredriksen, Jörg Frey, Joshua Garroway, Karl-Wilhelm Niebuhr, Isaac W. Oliver, Shayna Sheinfeld, and J. Brian Tucker.

Table of Contents:
Part 1: Paul the Apostle in the Context of Complexities and Variedness of Second Temple Judaism Chapter 1 God Is Jewish, but Gentiles Don’t Have To Be: Ethnicity and Eschatology in Paul’s Gospel Paula Fredriksen Chapter 2 The Anti-Judaic Moment in the “Pauline” Doctrine of Justification – A (Protestant) Misinterpretation of the Relevant Statements in Paul’s Letters Michael Bachmann Chapter 3 From Nomos to Logos: Torah in First Century Jewish Texts Shayna Sheinfeld Chapter 4 Does Paul Need to Be a Covenantal Jew in Order to Be a Jew? Isaac W. Oliver Chapter 5 Paul in Light of the Dead Sea Scrolls: Some Considerations Regarding Paul’s Position Within Judaism Jörg Frey Chapter 6 Jesus, Paul, and the Pharisees: Observations on Their Commonalities and Their Understanding of Torah Karl-Wilhelm Niebuhr Part 2: The Particular Issues of Paul’s Message within Second Temple Judaism Chapter 7 Abraham in the Divine Purpose according to Paul: the Reception of Abraham Tradition in Romans 4 and Romans

About the Author :
František Ábel is professor of New Testament at the Evangelical Lutheran Theological Faculty of Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovakia.

Review :
[A] significant study of Paul within his Jewish context--a topic important not only for Lutherans in Eastern Europe! Since Krister Stendahl and E.P. Sanders challenged the conventional wisdom that Paul’s life-changing experience near Damascus resulted in his rejection of Judaism, the debate over the apostle’s relationship with Judaism (or lack thereof) has persisted. The Message of Paul the Apostle within Second Temple Judaism contains essays by many leading scholars who continue the quest to understand Paul in the context of first-century Judaism. Anyone with an interest in Paul or Second Temple Judaism will want to have this collection near at hand. In this book, František Ábel brings into conversation numerous Pauline scholars who strive to read the apostle to the gentiles within the diversity and complexity of first-century Judaism. The essays that make up The Message of Paul the Apostle within Second Temple Judaism are a must-read for anyone willing to rethink Paul. Paul remained a Jew throughout his lifetime! But what does this concretely mean if our images of Second Temple Judaism become increasingly complex and varied? In a fascinating manner, this book not only shows how we must to rethink key concepts of Pauline theology if we take this question seriously; it also demonstrates what all of this means for the practice of the Church today. A great read! This book brings together a broad spectrum of internationally respected Pauline and Second Temple Judaism scholars who cover many of the central issues in a fresh and challenging way. A real contribution to the old and ever new topic of Paul and Judaism. In these changing times, it is a much-needed book in the academy and in society at large. Reading Paul historically within Judaism—beyond the context of later church theology—this collection contributes to the recent surge in scholarship that destabilizes centuries of Christian anti-Jewish readings of the apostle to the gentiles. Essential reading for anyone who is interested in what the historical Paul can teach his modern readers. This outstanding collection locates Paul within Jewish practice and belief; shows how and why post-biblical, gentile-Christian perspectives misread Pauline rhetoric; and offers historically grounded observations that not only explicate Paul’s messianic vision but also inform today’s controversies over nationalism and race. Essential reading. This excellent book is a result of the recent interest in Paul’s Jewish context and gives a valuable overview of the various positions in the discussion. It provides students as well as scholars and the general audience with helpful surveys and insightful introductions to the most hotly debated issues in contemporary Pauline scholarship. The essays by Tucker and Garroway provide notable opportunities to move the conversation forward. The Paul within Judaism approach to Paul has a full head of steam, and these essays are noteworthy contributions which continue to move the conversation forward in helpful directions.