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What would the world look like if the Old Perspective on Paul was right about justification, the New Perspective was right about Judaism, and the Radical New Perspective was right to note ongoing differences between Jewish and Gentile converts?
Galatians Reconsidered is a compelling, practical study of Paul the Apostle's writing that explores just that. Emphasising the central role played by regression in Paul's argument on justification, Neil Martin examines the dichotomy between faith and works and how the apostle envisaged the differences in how Jews and Gentiles should interact with the Law.
By re-establishing Galatians in its original Jewish and pagan context, Martin exposes the problems faced by Galatian churches and shows how they still speak to modern churches today. His insight not only helps us better appreciate Paul's message but challenges us to put his wisdom into practice in our own church settings.
Provocative and stimulating Galatians Reconsidered is a robust new look at the question of justification. It will leave you with a thorough knowledge of the merits and failings of both the old and new perspectives on Paul, as well as a broader understanding of the letter to the Galatians both in the context in which it was written and its continued relevance today.
Preface and Acknowledgements xiii
Prologue xvii
Part I
OPENING UP THE TEXT
1 The Problem With the Problem in Galatia 3
Introduction 3
1 Knowns and Unknowns in the Context 3
2 Incongruities in the Text 6
2.1 The Integrity of Paul's Argument 6
2.2 The Complexity of Paul's Stance Concerning Law 7
2.3 The Extremity of Paul's Warnings 9
2.4 The Apparent Incoherence of Paul's Regression Language 10
3. The Problem With the Problem in Galatia 12
2 A Jewish Problem 13
Introduction 13
1 The Old Perspective on Paul 14
1.1 The Old Perspective Under Scrutiny 15
1.2 The Old Perspective in Galatians 17
2 The New Perspective on Paul 21
2.1 New Perspectives Under Scrutiny 22
2.2 New Perspectives in Galatians 25
3 A Gentile Problem 28
Introduction 28
1 Gentile Political Identity 28
2 Gentile Theological Identity 31
2.1 The Radical New Perspective on Paul 32
2.2 Gentiles and the Law 36
Part II
GOING BACKWARDS IN GALATIA
4 A Disconcerting Diagnosis 43
Introduction 43
1 Troubling Logic 43
2 Logic That's Integral to the Argument of the Letter 47
2.1 Prevalence 47
2.2 Structure 51
2.3 Significance 53
5 Going Backwards to a Jewish Past 55
Introduction 55
1 Into the Past 55
2 Godfearers in Asia Minor 59
3 The Godfearing Lifestyle 63
4 Regression to a Godfearing Past 66
5 Regression in the General Direction of Judaism 69
6 Going Backwards to a Gentile Past 72
Introduction 72
1 Setting Expectations 74
2 Into the Past 75
2.1 Literary Memories 78
2.2 Memories on Stone 79
3 Regression in Galatia 86
4 Conclusions 89
7 Going Backwards to 'the Present Evil Age' 91
Introduction 91
1 Convergence and Divergence in the Apocalyptic Paul 93
2 Apocalyptic Takes on Regression 96
2.1 J. Louis Martyn 97
2.2 Martinus de Boer 98
2.3 John Barclay 100
2.4 Brant Pitre, Michael Barber and John Kincaid 102
8 Going Backwards in Corinth and Rome 105
Introduction 105
1 The Weak and the Strong 105
2 Weakness and Strength in Corinth 106
3 Weakness and Strength in Romans 111
4 Weakness and Strength in Galatians 115
9 Going Backwards in Galatia 118
Introduction 118
1 Returning to the Stoicheia 121
2 Reading Stoicheia in Context 124
2.1 Calendrical Observances 125
2.2 Thought Experiments in Regression 129
3 Sketching the Galatian Crisis 132
Part III
GOING FORWARDS WITH PAUL
10 Faith and Works, Law and Gospel 141
Introduction 141
1 Justification 144
2 Obeying the Law 148
3 The Curse of the Law 152
4 Jewish Legalism 156
11 Growing to Maturity 159
Introduction 159
1 Regression Meets Ethics 160
2 Spiritual Transformation 164
3 Symptomatic and Systemic Responses to the Galatian Problem 167
12 Pastoral Priorities 170
Introduction 170
1 Accommodation and the Agitators 170
2 The Parting of the Ways 172
3 Accommodation in Paul 175
4 Accommodation Today 177
13 Voices From the Past 180
Introduction 180
1 Recognizing Regression - Ignatius, Justin, Origen 180
2 Resisting Regression - Tertullian, Cyprian, Origen 183
3 Disregarding Regression - Gregory Thaumaturgus,
Gregory the Great 185
4 Regression and Retrojection - Luther 187
14 Challenges and Opportunities for the Present 191
Introduction 191
1 Pagan Post-Modernity 193
2 Running on the Rails of Ritual 195
3 Making it Tangible 198
4 Exhortation 200
Inscription Corpora 203
Bibliography 205
Index of Ancient Sources 225
Index of Modern Authors 232
Index of Subjects 235