Outlaw Justice: The Messianic Politics of Paul

by Theodore W. Jennings Jr.

This book offers a close reading of Romans that treats Paul as a radical political thinker by showing the relationship between Paul's perspective and that of secular political theorists. Turning to both ancient political philosophers (Plato, Aristotle, and Cicero) and contemporary post-Marxists (Agamben, Badiou, Derrida, and Žižek), Jennings presents Romans as a sustained argument for a new sort of political thinking concerned with the possibility and constitution of just socialities. Reading Romans as an essay on messianic politics in conversation with ancient and postmodern political theory challenges the stereotype of Paul as a reactionary theologian who "invented" Christianity and demonstrates his importance for all, regardless of religious affiliation or academic guild, who dream and work for a society based on respect, rather than domination, division, and death. In the current context of unjust global empires constituted by avarice, arrogance, and violence, Jennings finds in Paul a stunning vision for creating just societies outside the law.

Genres: Theology, Religion, Philosophy, New Testament, Christianity

256 pages, Paperback

First published April 17, 2013

Reviews

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m teaching on Romans at the campus ministry I run this semester and this is one of the books I’ve been using as a resource. Jennings reads Romans in conversation with contemporary philosophers, thus bringing a fresh perspective. I always learned Romans as the closest thing to pure theology we find in the New Testament with the first 11 chapters, especially the first 8, are Paul practically being a systematic theologian. Then in the end, he gets into living. Jennings argues, echoing much else I’ve been reading, that all of Romans is political. Paul is showing the community how to live by a justice that rests outside the Law.

This book is helpful because it hits on other themes I’ve read - Paul is talking about community much more than individual, when all are saved or will be saved it means all, the Jewish roots must remain central. At the same time, with the conversation with philosophers, there are interesting insights.

Definitely worth a read for any interested in Biblical theology, Romans, and politics.

[Zach · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a pivotal and perfectly timed read for me. I started it a few weeks after US Attorney General Jeff Sessions used Romans 13 to justify the terrorization of children and families at the border (and a week before Grudem made a popular theological case for the border wall), so Jennings worked as a natural and welcome counterweight. It was also very exciting for me personally to see deep convictions about biblical sociality juxtaposed with the work of people like Levinas and Derrida, who I’ve had an armchair fascination with for some time.

Stylistically, most people will see this book as a slog, and yes, it’s very niche, but it packs a punch, and I can see myself returning to it as a resource for years to come.

[E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Paul is proposing a radical rethinking of the political by insisting that justice should be thought in contrast to law."

Building on recent work by various European thinkers, Jennings introduces us to the idea that Paul in Romans was writing to address fundamental political and social issues (and not what most commentators have traditionally focused on). And, particular, a revolutionary idea that society ought to be oriented around love and fellowship instead of law if we are ever going to achieve peace.

A compelling and exciting approach that you'll want to engage with.