New Perspective on Paul

"New Perspective" redirects here. For the song by Panic! at the Disco, see New Perspective (song).
Valentin de Boulogne: Saint Paul Writing His Epistles, c. 1618–1620

The "New Perspective on Paul" is a movement within the field of biblical studies concerned with the understanding of the writings of the Apostle Paul. The "new perspective" was started with scholar E. P. Sanders' 1977 work Paul and Palestinian Judaism.[1][2] The old Protestant perspective claims that Paul advocates justification through faith in Jesus Christ over justification through works of the Law. After the Reformation, this perspective was known as sola fide; this was traditionally understood as Paul arguing that Christians' good works would not factor into their salvation – only their faith would count. In this perspective, first-century Second Temple Judaism is dismissed as sterile and legalistic.[3]

According to Sanders, Paul's letters do not address general good works, but instead question observances such as circumcision, dietary laws, and Sabbath laws, which were the "boundary markers"[4] that set the Jews apart from the other ethnic groups. According to Sanders, first-century Palestinian Judaism was not a "legalistic community," nor was it oriented to "salvation by works." As God's chosen people, they were under his covenant. Contrary to Protestant belief, following the Law was not a way of entering the covenant, but of staying within it.[4]

  1. ^ Sanders, E. P. (1977). Paul and Palestinian Judaism. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press. ISBN 978-0-8006-1899-5.
  2. ^ Dunn, James D. G. (1990). Jesus, Paul, and the Law: Studies in Mark and Galatians. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press. pp. 1–7. ISBN 0-664-25095-5.
  3. ^ Yoon Jr., Paul (2006). In Defense of Sola Fide: A Refutation of N.T. Wright's view of Justification. Master's Seminary.
  4. ^ a b Dunn, James D. G. (2005). The New Perspective on Paul. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans Publishing Co. ISBN 978-0-8028-4562-7.