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Paul and His Recent Interpreters
This companion volume to N. T. Wright's Paul and the Faithfulness of God and Pauline Perspectives is essential reading for all with a serious interest in Paul, the interpretation of his letters, his appropriation by subsequent thinkers, and his continuing significance today. In the course of this masterly survey, Wright asks searching questions of all of the major contributors to Pauline studies in the last fifty years.
405 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2013
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About the author
N.T. Wright
417 books2,854 followersN. T. Wright is the former Bishop of Durham in the Church of England (2003-2010) and one of the world's leading Bible scholars. He is now serving as the chair of New Testament and Early Christianity at the School of Divinity at the University of St. Andrews. He has been featured on ABC News, Dateline NBC, The Colbert Report, and Fresh Air, and he has taught New Testament studies at Cambridge, McGill, and Oxford universities. Wright is the award-winning author of Surprised by Hope, Simply Christian, The Last Word, The Challenge of Jesus, The Meaning of Jesus (coauthored with Marcus Borg), as well as the much heralded series Christian Origins and the Question of God.
He also publishes under Tom Wright.
He also publishes under Tom Wright.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
February 5, 2016
Summary: N.T. Wright surveys the scholarship in Pauline studies over the past fifty years engaging scholars developing the "new perspective", "apocalyptic", and "social history" approaches to Paul.
It is hard to believe but N.T. Wright has not been able to say all there is to say about Pauline scholarship in his two volume (1700 pages) Paul and The Faithfulness of God. Paul and His Recent Interpreters is a companion to that work in which Wright develops his own understanding of Paul's life and thought. Here he engages other scholars who have been working in this field, particularly in the last fifty years, carefully summarizing their work and offering a critique in light of his own scholarship.
After a preface which outlines the program of the book, Wright begins with a review of the antecedents of the current scholarship, particularly the work of F.C. Baur and the history of religions school and the discussion of Christian origins as distinct from Judaism as Christianity moved into the Hellenistic context. The other major figure he considers here is Albert Schweitzer who first challenges the "forensic" understanding of justification as central to Paul's thought with the proposal that 'being in Christ' is central.
Most of the book considers three schools of thought in Pauline studies. The first is the "new perspective". Here Wright deals with the work of E.P. Sanders and J.D.G Dunn, who worked to understand the Jewish origins of Paul's thought, working with the rich emerging material on first century AD Judaism. In many ways, Wright's own work is closely associated with this school, although he particularly differentiates himself from Sanders in arguing that the central idea of Paul's thought is not "participation in Christ" but rather the "covenant faithfulness of Christ" which has been extended to the Gentiles. More briefly, Wright engages his "old perspective" (Lutheran and Calvinist) critics.
The second school he discusses is the apocalyptic school arising from the work of Kasemann, whose proponents include J. C. Beker, M. C. DeBoer, and J Louis Martyn. Wright, while indeed acknowledging the place of apocalyptic, the inbreaking of a new age in Christ, he strongly differs with these thinkers, and particularly Martyn, who make this a centerpiece of Paul's thought, and especially with Martyn's treatment of Galatians, where he strongly questions Martyn's exegesis.
The third school is that of social history, whose leading figure is Wayne Meeks, author of The First Urban Christians. Here Wright is genuinely appreciative of the insights into the kind of communities Paul formed in the Mediterranean cities where he planted churches. What he wishes for is more exegetical work linking this historical work with the Pauline corpus. He concludes this section by briefly considering the more recent political readings of Paul.
One senses that in his critique, Wright is trying to do two things. One is to plead for the integration of these three schools, which he has tried to do in his own work. The other is to plead the case for careful exegesis in conjunction with the historical and theological work of these perspectives. He notes that of the figures he studies, only Martyn has actually written a commentary on a Pauline work, Galatians.
I found myself at a disadvantage on two scores in reading this work. While familiar with some of Wright's basic ideas about Paul, and the New Perspective, I haven't read Paul and the Faithfulness of God. I also have not read any of the scholars with whom he interacts except for Wayne Meeks, so I have to take Wright at his word. That said, his review of the field serves as a helpful introduction to the last fifty years of scholarship and points the way for the New Testament and Pauline scholar who wants to pursue these matters more deeply. And Wright sets a high standard for scholarship that is both critical and generous in the pursuit of truth. It is a delight to observe virtuosity in any discipline. This was clearly in evidence in Wright's engagement with these scholars.
_________________________________
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
It is hard to believe but N.T. Wright has not been able to say all there is to say about Pauline scholarship in his two volume (1700 pages) Paul and The Faithfulness of God. Paul and His Recent Interpreters is a companion to that work in which Wright develops his own understanding of Paul's life and thought. Here he engages other scholars who have been working in this field, particularly in the last fifty years, carefully summarizing their work and offering a critique in light of his own scholarship.
After a preface which outlines the program of the book, Wright begins with a review of the antecedents of the current scholarship, particularly the work of F.C. Baur and the history of religions school and the discussion of Christian origins as distinct from Judaism as Christianity moved into the Hellenistic context. The other major figure he considers here is Albert Schweitzer who first challenges the "forensic" understanding of justification as central to Paul's thought with the proposal that 'being in Christ' is central.
Most of the book considers three schools of thought in Pauline studies. The first is the "new perspective". Here Wright deals with the work of E.P. Sanders and J.D.G Dunn, who worked to understand the Jewish origins of Paul's thought, working with the rich emerging material on first century AD Judaism. In many ways, Wright's own work is closely associated with this school, although he particularly differentiates himself from Sanders in arguing that the central idea of Paul's thought is not "participation in Christ" but rather the "covenant faithfulness of Christ" which has been extended to the Gentiles. More briefly, Wright engages his "old perspective" (Lutheran and Calvinist) critics.
The second school he discusses is the apocalyptic school arising from the work of Kasemann, whose proponents include J. C. Beker, M. C. DeBoer, and J Louis Martyn. Wright, while indeed acknowledging the place of apocalyptic, the inbreaking of a new age in Christ, he strongly differs with these thinkers, and particularly Martyn, who make this a centerpiece of Paul's thought, and especially with Martyn's treatment of Galatians, where he strongly questions Martyn's exegesis.
The third school is that of social history, whose leading figure is Wayne Meeks, author of The First Urban Christians. Here Wright is genuinely appreciative of the insights into the kind of communities Paul formed in the Mediterranean cities where he planted churches. What he wishes for is more exegetical work linking this historical work with the Pauline corpus. He concludes this section by briefly considering the more recent political readings of Paul.
One senses that in his critique, Wright is trying to do two things. One is to plead for the integration of these three schools, which he has tried to do in his own work. The other is to plead the case for careful exegesis in conjunction with the historical and theological work of these perspectives. He notes that of the figures he studies, only Martyn has actually written a commentary on a Pauline work, Galatians.
I found myself at a disadvantage on two scores in reading this work. While familiar with some of Wright's basic ideas about Paul, and the New Perspective, I haven't read Paul and the Faithfulness of God. I also have not read any of the scholars with whom he interacts except for Wayne Meeks, so I have to take Wright at his word. That said, his review of the field serves as a helpful introduction to the last fifty years of scholarship and points the way for the New Testament and Pauline scholar who wants to pursue these matters more deeply. And Wright sets a high standard for scholarship that is both critical and generous in the pursuit of truth. It is a delight to observe virtuosity in any discipline. This was clearly in evidence in Wright's engagement with these scholars.
_________________________________
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
January 17, 2016
A bit sprawling, the book is essentially NTW's interpretation of the various important (i.e. most influential) interpreters of Paul. Käsemann et al are scrutinized and interpreted with clarity (though the charity part could be challenged), and I'm not certain the "Apocalyptic" school will appreciate his responses to them.
All in all, a helpful, fast-paced read about the important recent interpreters of Paul. As usual, polemical, passionate, and stimulating. Which sounds dirty now that I think about it...
Pick it up, and be challenged, and challenge back.
NQ
All in all, a helpful, fast-paced read about the important recent interpreters of Paul. As usual, polemical, passionate, and stimulating. Which sounds dirty now that I think about it...
Pick it up, and be challenged, and challenge back.
NQ
October 5, 2017
This is vintage Wright: clear, humorous, and unbelievably brilliant. Not only will this guide you through modern Pauline scholarship from Baur to the present day, it also helps in giving a sense of the "anomalous" Jew himself. Can't recommend it enough.
March 22, 2021
Wright's book aims to outline recent history of interpretation of Paul in the English-speaking world. It is fairly representative though certainly not exhaustive summary of recent trends in scholarship. Wright focuses especially on three major movements: (1) New Perspective (and whole discussion following Sanders) which was a corrective to the perception of Judaism in older literature as a religion of works rather than grace, (2) Apocalyptic readings which emphasise the cosmic dimension of Paul's gospel and prioritise participatory understanding of salvation over individual justification, and (3) Social readings which shift attention from the study of Pauline 'religion' to the 'thick description' of Pauline message and communities within the ancient world.
Wright does not merely describe various trends but also actively engages with them, expresses his appraisals and quarrels with various points that they make. The book is written in his usual creative and witty style and is a pleasure to read.
Wright does not merely describe various trends but also actively engages with them, expresses his appraisals and quarrels with various points that they make. The book is written in his usual creative and witty style and is a pleasure to read.
July 28, 2021
Summary: The book aims to offer a map of Anglophone scholarship for students coming to Pauline Studies, based on three significant ‘waves’ within the field in the last few decades: the New Perspective on Paul, ‘Apocalyptic’ readings and Social History. The intention is that this book should complement the already massive project "Paul and the Faithfulness of God" by the same author.
After a brief consideration on how Paul was read in the perspective of history-of-religions from the mid-19th century up to the mid-20th century (roughly from Baur to Bultmann), Wright structures his ‘map’ around three highly significant pillars in the study of Paul since the 70s which reacted tho this former paradigm: (1) The New Perspective on Paul (NPP), epitomized in the work of E. P. Sanders; (2) The ‘Apocalyptic’ readings of Paul in the tradition of J. Louis Martyn; and (3) Social-historical approaches of Paul, with the quintessential early example in Wayne Meeks.
This triad (Sanders, Martyn and Meeks) form the three main divisions of Wright’s book, although he perceives ten ‘subdivisions’ worth considering and a few representative names within each group (xv-xvi).
These three waves co-exist (alongside the classical Religionsgeschichte in a few isolated places), although for much of the time they have little conscience of what is going on in the other camps. Wright compares it to watching a football/soccer match, but then several different players gather inside the field and start playing different sports, although all are trying to work the same delimited space and reaching for the same ball (p.27). The issue here, then, is to spend time describing methods, rules and objectives in each ‘sport’ played inside Pauline scholarship, in order to understand the (not-too-dialogical) works therein, and perhaps try to find contributions that can cross boundaries along these 'tribes'.
Positive remarks: Tom Wright is always very careful with his presentation of scholarship, and his analogies are helpful and particularly enjoyable when they come close to witty (cp. the way he describes Paul's interpretation by Luther and Calvin in p.32). His assessment of the period between Baur and Bultmann is very thought-provoking and precise in translating cultural opinions and idioms that seem quite distant from us now.
Negative remarks: Although most of the time Wright expounds and evaluates different authors and methods with apparent fairness, his acidity in responding to the ‘old perspective’ group (ch. 5, esp. the critique of Stephen Westerholm in p.128) gets to the edge of passive-aggressive and personal. A similar harshness can be felt in chapter 9, when Wright describes and evaluates Campbell’s “The Deliverance of God” (esp. 186-189). A different negative point can be made of Wright’s well-known prolixity (the book could easily have 250 pages).
If you have the time and energy to invest, this book is a valuable large-scale review of recent Pauline studies, highly recommended as a guide for students into the dense woods of the field.
After a brief consideration on how Paul was read in the perspective of history-of-religions from the mid-19th century up to the mid-20th century (roughly from Baur to Bultmann), Wright structures his ‘map’ around three highly significant pillars in the study of Paul since the 70s which reacted tho this former paradigm: (1) The New Perspective on Paul (NPP), epitomized in the work of E. P. Sanders; (2) The ‘Apocalyptic’ readings of Paul in the tradition of J. Louis Martyn; and (3) Social-historical approaches of Paul, with the quintessential early example in Wayne Meeks.
This triad (Sanders, Martyn and Meeks) form the three main divisions of Wright’s book, although he perceives ten ‘subdivisions’ worth considering and a few representative names within each group (xv-xvi).
These three waves co-exist (alongside the classical Religionsgeschichte in a few isolated places), although for much of the time they have little conscience of what is going on in the other camps. Wright compares it to watching a football/soccer match, but then several different players gather inside the field and start playing different sports, although all are trying to work the same delimited space and reaching for the same ball (p.27). The issue here, then, is to spend time describing methods, rules and objectives in each ‘sport’ played inside Pauline scholarship, in order to understand the (not-too-dialogical) works therein, and perhaps try to find contributions that can cross boundaries along these 'tribes'.
Positive remarks: Tom Wright is always very careful with his presentation of scholarship, and his analogies are helpful and particularly enjoyable when they come close to witty (cp. the way he describes Paul's interpretation by Luther and Calvin in p.32). His assessment of the period between Baur and Bultmann is very thought-provoking and precise in translating cultural opinions and idioms that seem quite distant from us now.
Negative remarks: Although most of the time Wright expounds and evaluates different authors and methods with apparent fairness, his acidity in responding to the ‘old perspective’ group (ch. 5, esp. the critique of Stephen Westerholm in p.128) gets to the edge of passive-aggressive and personal. A similar harshness can be felt in chapter 9, when Wright describes and evaluates Campbell’s “The Deliverance of God” (esp. 186-189). A different negative point can be made of Wright’s well-known prolixity (the book could easily have 250 pages).
If you have the time and energy to invest, this book is a valuable large-scale review of recent Pauline studies, highly recommended as a guide for students into the dense woods of the field.
December 1, 2015
As I finish this book I am wondering whether I should just simply turn to the beginning and start again? This is not because Wright is difficult to understand but because of the sheer breadth of this book and the immensity of the implications.
I have said it before and I will say it again: Whether you agree with Wright or not you need to grapple with him. He remains the most prolific and influential theologian or our time.
I have said it before and I will say it again: Whether you agree with Wright or not you need to grapple with him. He remains the most prolific and influential theologian or our time.
December 18, 2015
Wright explores the interpretation of Paul from Baur to present day interpreters, seeking to bring into conversation wide swaths who normally never cross paths. The first half was very good—5 stars. The middle to the last portion seemed to lose a little steam. It could also be that my interest lies more in discussions surround the New Perspective and less so on some of the sociological readings of Paul. All the same, a nice read and survey of the Pauline landscape.
November 28, 2019
Thoroughly researched, but may be challenging for the laymen
To begin with, I was debating between giving this book 3 or 4 stars. On the one hand this book is meticulously researched and exhaustively covers the main interpretations and interpreters of Paul (hence the title). I appreciated being exposed to to these varying viewpoints, however I really struggled to understand quite a few of the authors responses and descriptions of these various viewpoints. I have always enjoyed Mr. Wright's work, however he can be challenging to read sometimes as he sometimes meanders around in his writing (in my observations at least). However, the book seemed to tie everything together nicely in the end, and I got a better idea of what he was talking about, hence the four stars.
To begin with, I was debating between giving this book 3 or 4 stars. On the one hand this book is meticulously researched and exhaustively covers the main interpretations and interpreters of Paul (hence the title). I appreciated being exposed to to these varying viewpoints, however I really struggled to understand quite a few of the authors responses and descriptions of these various viewpoints. I have always enjoyed Mr. Wright's work, however he can be challenging to read sometimes as he sometimes meanders around in his writing (in my observations at least). However, the book seemed to tie everything together nicely in the end, and I got a better idea of what he was talking about, hence the four stars.
December 28, 2020
3.5 stars. Wright engages with a number of recent trends in Pauline studies (the three main ones are the New Perspective, Apocalyptic readings of Paul, and social studies/history in relation to Paul). He's essentially in conversation with these different views throughout, rather than a neutral observer. He's not always charitable toward those who disagree with him, including those who, like me, adhere to the 'Old Perspective'. Much of the book also required some knowledge of the field. The book does raise some very important questions, and the reader (even the one disagreeing with Wright) quickly realises that Wright has thought through these questions, and really knows the primary and secondary literature. I'm hoping to read his Paul and the Faithfulness of God soon.
August 3, 2021
In this book, N. T. Wright gives us his prolegomena for his companion book on Paul. It is an extensive but not exhaustive study in contemporary literature on Paul. There is a solid argument, but because I’ve not read most of the books he references (and there are many), it was at points reasonably opaque to me. Though, I’m sure that it will help me as I read his arguments in his much larger constructive work on Paul. I don’t recommend this book for enjoyable reading or as a study of Paul. It is a study of recent interpreters of Paul. I suspect, however, that it is an essential book if you are going to read the rest of what Wright has to give us on Paul.
July 12, 2020
As ever a startling and stirring read. It is a great introduction and evaluation of past and especially current discussions on Paul. I would recommend you start at the end (Sections 2 and 3 of Paul in the Marketplace) to have an overview of what Wright is saying which might help you appreciate more all that he says in the previous 329 pages. Worth every penny.
May 24, 2023
Wright is superb, per usual. One contention: part 3 feels a little disjointed. Part 1 read like a typical scholarly compendium but in narrative form. Part 3 seemed to be full of quotes and less reliant on narrative progression. This is a minor critique, but overall this book is formative and a must read for anyone in Pauline studies.
Want to read
March 30, 2025Read just a little bit, but was already super helpful in contextualising 19th and 20th century biblical studies in the shadow of Hegel, Baur and Bultmann. Hope to read complete soon, along with Wright's "Paul and the Faithfulness of God"!
February 27, 2025
Pretty dense reading at times.
March 27, 2016
For anyone who has read Mr. Wright's colossal Paul and the Faithfulness of God, one may have noticed the countless references he makes to some great names in the history of Pauline scholarship such as Albert Schweitzer and Ed Sanders. While you can piece together what those authors said from Mr. Wright's references, but it can be like putting together a broken glass cup. But thanks to this supplementary volume, Mr. Wright gives us a short, mostly narrative history of the last 100 years of Pauline studies in the West while also engaging and assessing their arguments. He breaks it down into three parts that break these authors into the categories of New Perspective, Apocalyptic, and Social History. Having read Mr. Wright's series Christian Origins and the Question of God as well as PFG's other supplementary volume, Pauline Perspectives: Essays on Paul, 1978-2013, I can say that this is Mr. Wright's most accessible scholarly work. It is short and incredibly insightful as it touches upon all the great intellectual movements within Pauline studies. It is also insightful for Mr. Wright's own scholarly work because of how often he cites and interacts with them. However, there is one chapter where Mr. Wright addresses critics of the New Perspective, of which he is a part of, and seems to go a little overboard and then uses the same lament that every scholar ends up using with their critics: "If only they had actually read my work..." It feels rather petulant and distracts from some of the good. Still, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is thinking about tackling Mr. Wright's scholarly work or has already read PFG. It will help illuminate all of Mr. Wight's work.
December 23, 2016
Reading Wright can be a joy or a journey. He writes incredibly lucid books for lay people and then he writes scholarly books that demand time and careful attention. This book kind of falls in between. It is not theology for the scholar but a historical exploration of Pauline studies over the past few generations. I found it intriguing to know what has happened since Baur and Bultmann. For those of us who don't follow the academic give and take, this was very eye-opening. It also helped to put Wright where he and the "New Perspective(s)" crew fit into the picture. The last section on the most recent interpretations and applications was enlightening. It's amazing how far present day political philosophers are taking Pauline writings. Much of it is just plain weird, but certainly demonstrates the bankruptcy of the Enlightenment project as philosophers attempt to find some path to utopia or Eden to be more Biblical.
I liked the section on the social scientists view of 1st century Judaism and Roman culture. It show meticulous and creative thinking. It helps to fill out story of Paul and his communities. It also points to the real difficulty of translating his letters into our time period as we struggle with some similar but some quite different cultural issues.
This is not a book for the faint of heart. Sometimes I had to take it a couple of pages at a time. But it was worth the effort.
I liked the section on the social scientists view of 1st century Judaism and Roman culture. It show meticulous and creative thinking. It helps to fill out story of Paul and his communities. It also points to the real difficulty of translating his letters into our time period as we struggle with some similar but some quite different cultural issues.
This is not a book for the faint of heart. Sometimes I had to take it a couple of pages at a time. But it was worth the effort.
June 25, 2016
An excellent companion to Wright's larger "Paul and the Faithfulness of God." This book is essentially a survey of Pauline scholarship over the last two centuries, tracing three distinct yet interwoven strands of interpretation. Wright assesses and critiques major landmarks in Pauline studies and offers analyses of major proponents and publications along the way.
The greatest strength of the book, however, is that such an overview is never dry or dull. Wright's exploration is incisive, insightful, and interested in illuminating larger issues of history, theology, sociology, and hermeneutics. And of course, periodically he serves up delicious exegesis with a dash of common sense, a helping of sweeping biblical theology, all seasoned throughout with characteristic Wrightian wit. Though not the easiest read given the complexity and breadth of the subject matter (owing to the discipline's own confusing and convoluted interpretive history), the book is highly commendable.
The greatest strength of the book, however, is that such an overview is never dry or dull. Wright's exploration is incisive, insightful, and interested in illuminating larger issues of history, theology, sociology, and hermeneutics. And of course, periodically he serves up delicious exegesis with a dash of common sense, a helping of sweeping biblical theology, all seasoned throughout with characteristic Wrightian wit. Though not the easiest read given the complexity and breadth of the subject matter (owing to the discipline's own confusing and convoluted interpretive history), the book is highly commendable.
January 9, 2016
There are a lot of scholars who focus on Paul, a number of camps with their own approaches. Wright provides a usable overview of these camps here without being exhaustive. The wider theme of this book seems to evolve around the relationship between the work of theologians and the work of historians. (Not to mention social scientists and philosophers.) Unlike much of Wright's other books, this one is not for beginners, necessarily. I'm looking forward to reading the book series which this 300+ page book was supposed to be an intro to.
July 19, 2016
If it's Tuesday, it must be another over-long, easy to read, exhausting book by N. T. Wright. This one was originally a chapter in another over-long, easy to read exhausting book by N. T. Wright. On the downside, this is mostly about other twentieth century scholars. On the upside, I'll never need to read scholarship about Paul because Wright has read it all for me.
November 7, 2016
Excellent survey of Pauline studies over the last couple generations. While a little more dry than his usual work, Wright drill finds a way to insert nuggets of profound insight and inspiration. Certainly not, however, a place to initiate oneself in Wright's work.
January 12, 2017
It's a terrific book, but really aimed at a scholarly audience as a review of over a century of trends and counter-trends in Pauline scholarship. I only gave 4 stars because it is so full of "in house" language that restricts it to the arcane world of biblical scholars....
April 18, 2016
Thought Provoking
Very interesting study. Appreciate that NT Wright's use of Scripture, history and Jewish roots in presenting his evaluations and defense.
Very interesting study. Appreciate that NT Wright's use of Scripture, history and Jewish roots in presenting his evaluations and defense.
July 30, 2016
An excellent, if polemical survey of the current state of Paul studies.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews