Against the prevailing models for understanding the Apostle Paul's interpretation and use of scripture, Matthew Bates proposes a fresh approach toward developing a Pauline hermeneutic. He combines historical criticism with an intertextual strategy that takes seriously the work of the early church fathers, and in so doing fills a void in current scholarship. Bates applies his method to both oft-referenced and underutilized passages in the writings of Paul and suggests a new model for Pauline hermeneutics that is centered on the apostolic proclamation of Christ.
Matthew W. Bates (Ph.D., University of Notre Dame) is Assistant Professor of Theology at Quincy University. His main teaching area is the Bible and early Christian literature, especially the New Testament. He also teaches courses in Western Religion, Church History, and Christian Spirituality.
I'll admit...I picked my way through this book. Bates makes a convincing argument that Paul adopted a prosopological reading of OT texts. It resolves some tricky issues in Paul's use of the OT. Reads like a dissertation (because it was one) but has some great material. It's essential reading if you are doing your Ph.D in Pauline hermeneutics.