Paul, Judaism, and Judgment According to Deeds (Society for New Testament Studies Monograph Series)
Cambridge University Press, 4/22/1999
EAN 9780521632430, ISBN10: 0521632439
Hardcover, 334 pages, 21.6 x 14 x 2.2 cm
Language: English
Why does 'judgment according to deeds' produce no discernible theological tension for Paul, the apostle of justification by faith? For students of his writings, paradox, incoherence, or eschatological tension come more readily to mind. Paul felt no such theological tension because there was none - neither within his own soteriology, nor in that of the Judaism from which he learned to speak of 'judgment according to deeds'. For both, salvation is wholly by God's grace and the saved will be repaid (i.e. saved or condemned) in accordance with what they have done. Thus, Paul can promise eternal life to those who 'do good', while threatening wrath upon the disobedient (Rom 2:6-11), and without undermining justification by faith. This thorough 1999 examination of second temple and pauline texts interacts with discussions of 'covenantal nomism', justification, and the 'new perspective' on Paul to explore the Jewishness of the apostle's theology.
Preface
List of abbreviations
Introduction
Part I. Judgment According to Deeds in Jewish Literature
1. The use of the motif in the Jewish scriptures
2. The use of the motif in the Old Testament pseudepigrapha
3. The use of the motif in the Qumran literature
Part II. Judgment According to Deeds in Paul's Letters
4. Judgment according to deeds in Paul's letter to the Romans
5. Judgment according to deeds in 1 Corinthians
6. Judgment according to deeds in 2 Corinthians and Colossians
7. Paul and a Jewish motif
conclusions
Appendices
Bibliography
Subject index
Index of passages.