Judgment & Justification In Early Judaism And The Apostle Paul

Judgment & Justification In Early Judaism And The Apostle Paul

Judgment & Justification In Early Judaism And The Apostle Paul is Chris VanLandingham’s revised dissertation under the supervision of W.E. Nickelsburg at the University of Iowa.

I just got the book today from amazon,in fact it was about 3 minutes ago when I removed the plastic cover. This book is set to change the face and direction of New Testament studies, particularly Pauline theology. VanLandingham wants us to take Paul more seriously and revisit our understanding of some major pauline concepts of grace, deeds, reward in light of the final judgment. In fact, he really thinks that we misread Paul and Second Temple Judaism religious thought on the noted issues. This book will be a valuable resource to Pauline students.

From the Introduction of the book

“This book addresses the relationship between divine grace and human reward as these two concepts relate to an individual’s eternal destiny within the writings of Early Judaism and the Apostle Paul”(1).

According to Chris VanLandingham, one must understand the nature and cultural milieu in which Paul’s letters were fashioned/written (as well as Paul theology/theological conviction). It was in the context of Greco-Roman world within the religious environment of Early Judaism he insists(ibid). Vanlandingham warns us that, in order to grasp Paul’s thought appropriately one must understand the concept of grace and recompense in Early Judaism. Thus, ” a study of grace and reward in Early Judaism isn only appropriate but required” (ibid).

I look forward to reading it. I have acquired lots of book with little time to read all of them. I need a good three years of sabbatical for reading only.