Paul and the New Perspective : Second Thoughts on the Origin of Paul's Gospel

Rating:
Summary: Good critique of the New Perspective, but difficult to read
Review: This book is a good and scholarly critique of the New Perspective on Paul (e.g., Sanders, Raisanen, Dunn, and Wright). This book which is an offshoot of Kim's previous work "The Origin of Paul's Gospel" further extends and updates the debate regarding Second Temple Judaism, the Law, and Paul's view of justification. Kim's main thesis is that the Gospel preached by Paul in his letters was the same Gospel he received from the Lord Jesus Christ on the Damascus road--that salvation is to extend to the Gentiles and is received by grace/faith alone apart from the works of the Law. Kim heavily interacts with the views of James D. G. Dunn. To Dunn and other New Perspectivists Paul preached the message of salvation by grace/faith alone as a reaction against the Jewish exclusivists (in Antioch, Galatia, etc.) and that he formulated this doctrine (salvation by grace/faith alone) much after his Damascus road experience (in fact, the whole first chapter is an intense examination and critique of Dunn's view). In chapter two, Kim argues persuasively that Paul taught salvation by grace/faith alone in one of his earliest epistles--1 Thessalonians. This proves that Paul did NOT develop this doctrine years later in reaction to the Jewish exclusivists (or Judaizers). In chapter three, Kim shows that Paul used Isaiah 42 as a way of telling his readers that he is an Apostle commissioned by God (through the endowment of the Spirit) and was representing Christ during his ministry. In chapter four, Kim deals with the relationship between the Spirit and the Law. This chapter is probably the best in the book. According to Kim, Paul saw the Law as obsolete and powerless to bring about obedience among sinners (including the Jews). What was needed was a transformation of the heart and the indwelling of the Spirit. However, faith in Jesus Christ (along with the sealing of the Spirit) will bring about forgiveness of sin and the ability to fulfill the just requirements of the Law. Chapter five deals with Paul's Adam-Wisdom christology. Kim argues that he received this christology through the Damascus road experience. According to Kim, Paul saw Christ as the Last Adam and those who incorporate themselves to Christ through faith also become part of the Last Adam (hence, the Church also becomes the Last Adam). In chapter six, Kim analyzes 2 Corinthians 5:11-21 and the origin of the doctrine of reconciliation. He argues that Paul's doctrine of reconciliation originated in his Damascus road experience and that God reconciles sinners to Himself through the atoning death of Christ. In chapter seven, Kim deals with the "mystery" of Romans 11:25-26. He argues that this "mystery" is a mystery Paul received on the Damascus road and deals with God's future plan ("Heilsplan") to bring "all Israel" in His salvific blessings after the Gentiles have come in (this motivated Paul in part to evangelize the Gentiles). This observation by Kim destroys the typical "Dutch Interpretation" of Romans 11 where it sees no massive conversion of Jews before the Parousia (according to the "Dutch Interpretation", "all Israel" means the remnant of saved Jews during the whole Church dispensation). In chapter eight, Kim convincingly argues that Paul knew about the Jesus tradition and proves this by examining various Pauline passages (1 Corinthians 7:10-11; 9:14; 11:23-25; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17; 5:1-7; Romans 8:15; 12:14-21; 13:7, 8-10; 14:14, etc.) and various Pauline themes (justification by faith, the kingdom of God, etc.). Paul was not ignorant of who Jesus was and what he did--in fact, he wanted to fully follow his Lord's example and discipline. Thus, there is no conflict or opposition between Jesus' theology and Paul's theology. This book is a good intermediate-advanced level discussion on the origin of Paul's Gospel and the New Perspective view. However, it is a difficult read and a reader should first get a good understanding of Biblical Greek before tackling this book. Overall, though, a good, scholarly, and convincing book.