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Paul, a New Covenant Jew: Rethinking Pauline Theology
After the landmark work of E. P. Sanders, the task of rightly accounting for Paul's relationship to Judaism has dominated the last forty years of Pauline scholarship. Pitre, Barber, and Kincaid argue that Paul is best viewed as a new covenant Jew, a designation that allows the apostle to be fully Jewish, yet in a manner centered on the person and work of Jesus the Messiah. This new covenant Judaism provides the key that unlocks the door to many of the difficult aspects of Pauline theology. Paul, a New Covenant Jew is a rigorous, yet accessible overview of Pauline theology intended for ecumenical audiences. In particular, it aims to be the most useful and up to date text on Paul for Catholic Seminarians. The book engages the best recent scholarship on Paul from both Protestant and Catholic interpreters and serves as a launching point for ongoing Protestant-Catholic dialogue.
304 pages, Paperback
Published August 8, 2019
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523 people want to read
About the author
Brant Pitre
44 books479 followersDr. Brant Pitre is Professor of Sacred Scripture at Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans, Louisiana. He earned his Ph.D. in Theology from the University of Notre Dame, where he specialized the study of the New Testament and ancient Judaism. He is the author of several articles and the books Jesus, the Tribulation, and the End of the Exile (Baker Academic, 2005); Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist (Image Books, 2011); and Jesus the Bridegroom (Image Books, 2014). Dr. Pitre is an extremely enthusiastic and engaging speaker who lectures regularly across the United States. He has produced dozens of Bible studies on CD, DVD, and MP3, in which he explores the biblical foundations of Catholic faith and theology. He currently lives in Gray, Louisiana, with his wife Elizabeth, and their five children.
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December 24, 2019
Summary: In answer to the question of "what kind of Jew was Paul?", three Catholic scholars, focusing on 2 Corinthians 3:2-16, argue that he was a new covenant Jew and then relate this idea to apocalyptic, Christology, atonement, justification, and the Lord's supper.
There is a cascade of literature in Pauline studies in recent years, difficult for any reviewer to keep up with unless one makes this one's focus. One of the qualities that makes this work stand out is that it is the work of three Catholic scholars, seeking both to interact with and contribute to serious Pauline scholarship, and to do so in a way faithful to Catholic tradition. The other distinctive of their work is their proposal answering the question of "what kind of Jew was Paul?"
The first chapter considers this question and alongside the alternatives of former Jew, eschatological Jew, and Torah-observant Jew, the authors propose that Paul is a new covenant Jew. They center their contention on Paul's self-description as a minister of a new covenant (2 Corinthians 3:6) and the broader context of 2 Corinthians 3:2-16. They argue that this best explains both the discontinuities ("new") and continuities ("covenant") evident in Paul's ministry and letters (this work focuses on the seven uncontested letters of Paul).
Remaining chapters then press out the connection of this idea to other Pauline themes. With regard to apocalyptic thought, they note the continuity of Paul's thought with the idea of two ages, and the discontinuity in the assertion that in the death an"d resurrection of Jesus, the new age has already begun, new creation already is a reality, and both Jews and Gentiles already part of the heavenly Jerusalem. This is, in the words of Michael Gorman, an "apocalyptic new covenant." Along the lines of Jewish expectation, Jesus is a very human figure, according to Paul. Yet Paul also asserts that he is in "the form of God" and "equal with God," on the creator side of the creature/creator divide. Paul's new covenant hope is in a Messiah both human and the divine Son. For these scholars, the cross is not only new covenant sacrifice by the apocalyptic revelation of the character of God in the self-giving of his son--a revelation of both righteousness and love.
The chapters that are most "Catholic" and might evoke the most discussion are those on justification and the one on the Lord's table. The authors contend that justification is not merely juridical but, drawing on Pauline language, contend that justification also involves three transformative realities in the life of the believer:
1. Cardiac righteousness, in which the heart of the believer is transformed resulting in an obedience of the heart, and obedience of faith. (2 Cor. 3:9; Romans 10:10).
2. This righteousness comes through baptismal initiation (Romans 6:11; 1 Cor. 6:11; Gal. 3:24-27).
3. Through our participation in the death and resurrection of Christ, reflected in baptism, we are being conformed to the image of Christ, which Paul describes under the term, justification (cf. Gal. 2:15-21; Phil. 3:7-12; Romans 6:1-11).
Finally, with regard to the Lord's Supper, they draw out the connection between participation in Christ and participation in drinking the cup, eating the bread of the sacrifice. They note the strong cultic language in Paul's discussion of the Lord's supper and emphasize its sacrificial nature. The authors make a strong exegetical case for their contention, although I would contend one can understand the Lord's supper as participation in Christ's sacrifice, without the elements becoming body and blood, that is, a sacrifice (although the authors do not assert this explicitly, but draw parallels to Old Testament sacrifices, and the consumption of these).
In these last two chapters, the authors walk a fine line between Catholic and post-Reformation discussions. They raise important exegetical issues and cite other scholars from the wider discussion whose work aligns with their conclusions. They make a proposal about how we might understand Paul that echoes his own self-description and that plausibly connects with other themes in Pauline teaching. Their work suggests the potential of biblical theology to foster constructive engagements between different parts of the church around the biblical text.
________________________________
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
There is a cascade of literature in Pauline studies in recent years, difficult for any reviewer to keep up with unless one makes this one's focus. One of the qualities that makes this work stand out is that it is the work of three Catholic scholars, seeking both to interact with and contribute to serious Pauline scholarship, and to do so in a way faithful to Catholic tradition. The other distinctive of their work is their proposal answering the question of "what kind of Jew was Paul?"
The first chapter considers this question and alongside the alternatives of former Jew, eschatological Jew, and Torah-observant Jew, the authors propose that Paul is a new covenant Jew. They center their contention on Paul's self-description as a minister of a new covenant (2 Corinthians 3:6) and the broader context of 2 Corinthians 3:2-16. They argue that this best explains both the discontinuities ("new") and continuities ("covenant") evident in Paul's ministry and letters (this work focuses on the seven uncontested letters of Paul).
Remaining chapters then press out the connection of this idea to other Pauline themes. With regard to apocalyptic thought, they note the continuity of Paul's thought with the idea of two ages, and the discontinuity in the assertion that in the death an"d resurrection of Jesus, the new age has already begun, new creation already is a reality, and both Jews and Gentiles already part of the heavenly Jerusalem. This is, in the words of Michael Gorman, an "apocalyptic new covenant." Along the lines of Jewish expectation, Jesus is a very human figure, according to Paul. Yet Paul also asserts that he is in "the form of God" and "equal with God," on the creator side of the creature/creator divide. Paul's new covenant hope is in a Messiah both human and the divine Son. For these scholars, the cross is not only new covenant sacrifice by the apocalyptic revelation of the character of God in the self-giving of his son--a revelation of both righteousness and love.
The chapters that are most "Catholic" and might evoke the most discussion are those on justification and the one on the Lord's table. The authors contend that justification is not merely juridical but, drawing on Pauline language, contend that justification also involves three transformative realities in the life of the believer:
1. Cardiac righteousness, in which the heart of the believer is transformed resulting in an obedience of the heart, and obedience of faith. (2 Cor. 3:9; Romans 10:10).
2. This righteousness comes through baptismal initiation (Romans 6:11; 1 Cor. 6:11; Gal. 3:24-27).
3. Through our participation in the death and resurrection of Christ, reflected in baptism, we are being conformed to the image of Christ, which Paul describes under the term, justification (cf. Gal. 2:15-21; Phil. 3:7-12; Romans 6:1-11).
Finally, with regard to the Lord's Supper, they draw out the connection between participation in Christ and participation in drinking the cup, eating the bread of the sacrifice. They note the strong cultic language in Paul's discussion of the Lord's supper and emphasize its sacrificial nature. The authors make a strong exegetical case for their contention, although I would contend one can understand the Lord's supper as participation in Christ's sacrifice, without the elements becoming body and blood, that is, a sacrifice (although the authors do not assert this explicitly, but draw parallels to Old Testament sacrifices, and the consumption of these).
In these last two chapters, the authors walk a fine line between Catholic and post-Reformation discussions. They raise important exegetical issues and cite other scholars from the wider discussion whose work aligns with their conclusions. They make a proposal about how we might understand Paul that echoes his own self-description and that plausibly connects with other themes in Pauline teaching. Their work suggests the potential of biblical theology to foster constructive engagements between different parts of the church around the biblical text.
________________________________
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
March 22, 2020
A more scholarly work than many of Pitre’s popular books, I definitely recommend it if you want to dive deep into Paul’s theology!
April 30, 2023
A great addition to Pauline scholarship from a specifically Catholic perspective.
August 17, 2020
Given the wealth of Pauline scholarship published in recent years, it can honestly be tough to know where to start. Where one could begin with the revolutionary work of Sanders and the New Perspective, the New Perspective has now developed along many streams of thought, all interested in recovering Paul's Jewish roots (primarily by shifting our perspective from Paul's letters to the Gospels, and then reintegrating our understanding of the Gospels in their world back into our readings of the Pauline corpus).
There is little doubt this is a scholarly work, but this book, written by three Catholics entrenched in Western, Protestant scholarship finding their way through the New Perspective(s) functions an accessible and largely summarized overview of the main ideas floating through the breadth of available scholarship. Together they then offer a fresh perspective that tries to locate the New Perspective within their understanding and value for Tradition. Being a considerable fan of Eastern Orthodoxy, and as someone largely entrenched in New Perspective ideas from a similarly Protestant perspective, this was something I greatly appreciated.
Much of this book uses the kind of language that suggests an aim to carve a middle path. Many chapters offer the views on either side of the extremes (typically the NP and the common Reformed position), and then lean into the idea of Paul as a "New Covenant Jew" as a way to reconcile some of the debate. This comes to the forefront most readily in the idea that by seeing him first and foremost as a New Covenant Jew, we can locate Paul both as a Jew and as someone bringing something radically different to the table. This reconciles the Pauline tendency to fluctuate back and forth between upholding his Jewish identity while also addressing a uniquely Christological focus. And they are pretty convincing to this end.
The first 3 chapters provide the foundation, beginning with locating Paul's writings as a New Covenant Jew in the Apocalyptic Tradition of Second Temple Judaism. This helps to explain some of the judicial language regarding sin as "debt" more readily and more accurately, both pulling it from the typical Reformed position that has held it captive in modern understandings, while also relocating it in Paul's gradual formation as a New Covenant Jew. This becomes necessary for understanding the final 3 chapters which address, in the more complicated portions of the book, Paul's understanding of faith and works, justification and sanctification, once again presenting this as a both-and and a more holistic representation.
Some of the final 3 chapters gets bogged down, particularly in Chapter 5, but I did really enjoy the emphasis on the sacraments and the eucharist as central to Paul's teaching, a facet that their understanding of Tradition is able to both allow for and bring to the table (pun intended).
This could use another read from to be honest to fully engage with the larger concept, but there is a lot that I appreciated and took away from this for sure.
There is little doubt this is a scholarly work, but this book, written by three Catholics entrenched in Western, Protestant scholarship finding their way through the New Perspective(s) functions an accessible and largely summarized overview of the main ideas floating through the breadth of available scholarship. Together they then offer a fresh perspective that tries to locate the New Perspective within their understanding and value for Tradition. Being a considerable fan of Eastern Orthodoxy, and as someone largely entrenched in New Perspective ideas from a similarly Protestant perspective, this was something I greatly appreciated.
Much of this book uses the kind of language that suggests an aim to carve a middle path. Many chapters offer the views on either side of the extremes (typically the NP and the common Reformed position), and then lean into the idea of Paul as a "New Covenant Jew" as a way to reconcile some of the debate. This comes to the forefront most readily in the idea that by seeing him first and foremost as a New Covenant Jew, we can locate Paul both as a Jew and as someone bringing something radically different to the table. This reconciles the Pauline tendency to fluctuate back and forth between upholding his Jewish identity while also addressing a uniquely Christological focus. And they are pretty convincing to this end.
The first 3 chapters provide the foundation, beginning with locating Paul's writings as a New Covenant Jew in the Apocalyptic Tradition of Second Temple Judaism. This helps to explain some of the judicial language regarding sin as "debt" more readily and more accurately, both pulling it from the typical Reformed position that has held it captive in modern understandings, while also relocating it in Paul's gradual formation as a New Covenant Jew. This becomes necessary for understanding the final 3 chapters which address, in the more complicated portions of the book, Paul's understanding of faith and works, justification and sanctification, once again presenting this as a both-and and a more holistic representation.
Some of the final 3 chapters gets bogged down, particularly in Chapter 5, but I did really enjoy the emphasis on the sacraments and the eucharist as central to Paul's teaching, a facet that their understanding of Tradition is able to both allow for and bring to the table (pun intended).
This could use another read from to be honest to fully engage with the larger concept, but there is a lot that I appreciated and took away from this for sure.
April 27, 2026
Review of Paul: A New Covenant Jew by Michael Patrick Barber
This is a thought-provoking and carefully argued re-examination of Paul’s identity and theology. Barber opens with a crucial question: what kind of Jew was Paul? He outlines four main scholarly options:
* Former Jew – the idea that Paul effectively left Judaism behind after encountering Christ, embracing a new, distinct religion.
* Eschatological Jew – Paul as one who believed the end-times promises to Israel were being fulfilled, redefining Jewish identity around that unfolding reality.
* Torah-observant Jew – Paul as continuing to uphold the Law, seeing faith in Christ as compatible with ongoing Torah observance.
* New Covenant Jew – Paul as one who understood himself within the fulfillment of Jeremiah’s new covenant promise, where the Law is internalized and transformed through the Spirit.
As someone drawn to new covenant theology, I found Barber’s case for Paul as a new covenant Jew especially compelling. From there, the book unfolds a rich vision of Paul’s theology - one that moves beyond purely legal or forensic categories. Barber argues that the cross is not merely a transaction that alters our standing before God, but a transformative event in which divine life is imparted through the Holy Spirit. This emphasis on participation and transformation, rather than simple imputation, gives fresh depth to familiar Pauline themes.
One particularly striking insight for me was Barber’s interpretation of Romans 11, especially the phrase “all Israel will be saved.” Rather than reading this as a vague future hope or a purely ethnic restoration, he situates it within the prophetic expectation that God would regather the scattered tribes of Israel in the last days. In this light, Christ’s mission—and the inclusion of both Jews and Gentiles - becomes the means by which the twelve tribes are being restored and reconstituted as one people. I found this reading both compelling and illuminating, and it gave me a new lens through which to understand a difficult passage.
I also appreciated the way Barber draws connections between the new covenant and the Exodus narrative. His treatment of the covenant-making meal in Exodus 24—where Moses and the elders ascend the mountain, behold God, and eat in His presence - provides a powerful backdrop for understanding the meal Jesus institutes at the Last Supper. Seeing the Last Supper not just as a memorial but as the climactic covenant meal of the new Exodus adds a layer of richness that ties together Scripture in a deeply satisfying way.
That said, I didn’t agree with everything. Some aspects of the discussion on the Lord’s Supper felt less convincing to me, and I found myself wrestling with parts of the argument concerning ongoing transformation through the Spirit. Revisiting Scripture, I still lean toward seeing the Christian life less as a progressive acquisition and more as a deepening revelation—an unfolding awareness of what Christ has already accomplished, as the Holy Spirit reveals His heart to us.
Even where I disagreed, Barber pushed me to think more carefully and read more closely. That alone makes the book worth engaging. It’s a stimulating and enriching contribution to Pauline studies, especially for readers interested in covenant theology, the identity of Israel, and the transformative work of the Spirit.
February 1, 2024
This book attempts to bring together conversations in modern scholarship by putting forth a view of Paul as a “new covenant Jew”.
He begins by interacting with several perspectives of Paul’s relationship to Judaism. I found this section helpful in bringing together some of the helpful aspects from each of these perspectives. However, he seems to have assumed all adherents to the Paul within Judaism school of thought hold a “two ways” way of thinking of the relationship between Judaism and Christians. I would have enjoyed if they interacted with those who hold to a Paul within Judaism perspective that don’t agree with this idea.
The chapter on Apocalyptic I found especially insightful, showing how many ideas in Paul find direct parallels in second temple Apocalyptic literature.
They go on to play out how this proposal factors into several other areas of Pauline theology, such as Christology, atonement, justification, and the Lord’s Supper.
These chapters were very enjoyable, and the justification chapter in particular was challenging for me as a Protestant.
Overall, this book was very enjoyable, insightful, and a welcome challenge to my own perspectives at times. The authors do well to establish and defend their thesis of Paul as a “New Covenant Jew”.
He begins by interacting with several perspectives of Paul’s relationship to Judaism. I found this section helpful in bringing together some of the helpful aspects from each of these perspectives. However, he seems to have assumed all adherents to the Paul within Judaism school of thought hold a “two ways” way of thinking of the relationship between Judaism and Christians. I would have enjoyed if they interacted with those who hold to a Paul within Judaism perspective that don’t agree with this idea.
The chapter on Apocalyptic I found especially insightful, showing how many ideas in Paul find direct parallels in second temple Apocalyptic literature.
They go on to play out how this proposal factors into several other areas of Pauline theology, such as Christology, atonement, justification, and the Lord’s Supper.
These chapters were very enjoyable, and the justification chapter in particular was challenging for me as a Protestant.
Overall, this book was very enjoyable, insightful, and a welcome challenge to my own perspectives at times. The authors do well to establish and defend their thesis of Paul as a “New Covenant Jew”.
November 6, 2024
The first chapter of this book was really great. Paul is perhaps the most complicated and discussed figure in the entire Bible. Some even put the founding of Christianity upon Paul instead of Jesus, but anyway, this book was helpful (in the first chapter) for identifying the various perspectives on Paul throughout the ages. I was hoping it would carry these various iterations throughout the book, as in, it would take each perspective on Paul that it expertly laid out and describe what each position has thought about Paul's theology.
It did not do that.
The second chapter talked about angels and the apocalypse. It was crazy. The Third chapter spends a significant amount of time trying to tell the reader that Jews were not always monotheistic, it was incredibly distracting. The 4th chapter redeemed the book a bit for me; offering helpful descriptions of grace and atonement, that were extremely profound. Chapter 5 was long and muddy; not helpful once again. Chapter 6 was interesting on the Eucharist because this was written by a bunch of Catholics so they had to put a Mass in there, but it was good. So, it was a roller-coaster of a book with good, bad, and ugly, so, ultimately just okay.
It did not do that.
The second chapter talked about angels and the apocalypse. It was crazy. The Third chapter spends a significant amount of time trying to tell the reader that Jews were not always monotheistic, it was incredibly distracting. The 4th chapter redeemed the book a bit for me; offering helpful descriptions of grace and atonement, that were extremely profound. Chapter 5 was long and muddy; not helpful once again. Chapter 6 was interesting on the Eucharist because this was written by a bunch of Catholics so they had to put a Mass in there, but it was good. So, it was a roller-coaster of a book with good, bad, and ugly, so, ultimately just okay.
November 11, 2025
I thought this was a very good read, engages with a lot of scholarship out there, synthesizing it within Catholic theology. I thought the first two chapters were very good. The chapter on justification, I wouldn't say was weak, they definitely put forward their view and showed why they thought forensic justification was wrong. However, I felt like the position was not quite a steel-man one. I think engaging with Melanchton on the "why?" and also Philip Carey's work on Augustine would have made the chapter stronger. There certainly were better passages that support forensic justification (Old and New), and I know Douglas Campbell tips his hat to them that they are good exegetes, he just disagrees that that's Paul's view he has in mind.
July 4, 2022
Gleaned a lot from this. Agreed substantially at some, but not all, points. At the very least, good food for thought and good engagement with contemporary conversation around a Paul.
At certain moments, as I hoped and suspected, the authors fly quite close to how I see it. Everyone talks about “now and not yet.” The big, lingering question remains: what is now and what not yet? I’m lately working from the thesis that kingdom is not, but covenant is now. I think these folk may agree with me.
I also read this over a wide period, so don’t have the bulk of it as fresh in my mind as would be good for one writing a review. So maybe I should just stop here.
At certain moments, as I hoped and suspected, the authors fly quite close to how I see it. Everyone talks about “now and not yet.” The big, lingering question remains: what is now and what not yet? I’m lately working from the thesis that kingdom is not, but covenant is now. I think these folk may agree with me.
I also read this over a wide period, so don’t have the bulk of it as fresh in my mind as would be good for one writing a review. So maybe I should just stop here.
April 30, 2021
It was, and wasn't, more than I'd heard before.
It explained a lot, in depth while including other views and why this view was preferable. I found nothing to dispute, and a very in depth bit of reason to believe this presentation. From a Catholic background and education to studying under a Navigator military mission from 1973 to 1977, a little Southern Baptist, some Vineyard,Dutch Reformed and Nazarene in the mix I even agree with the wee bit of Real Presence alluded to in the Communion meal, its covenantal significance and our need to be right with God before partaking.
It explained a lot, in depth while including other views and why this view was preferable. I found nothing to dispute, and a very in depth bit of reason to believe this presentation. From a Catholic background and education to studying under a Navigator military mission from 1973 to 1977, a little Southern Baptist, some Vineyard,Dutch Reformed and Nazarene in the mix I even agree with the wee bit of Real Presence alluded to in the Communion meal, its covenantal significance and our need to be right with God before partaking.
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August 10, 2020I basically love everything these guys do. A general overview of Paul’s theology in a number of areas from a Catholic perspective. Takes advantage of the most recent evidence. The first part of the book, where the authors argue essentially that for Paul the new heavens and new earth, final judgment etc. have already arrived in a limited sense is very good.
March 24, 2022
An excellent treatment of complex Pauline theology. Well organized, clear, and beautifully written. While very academic, it is at the same time riveting and thought-provoking. You can’t go wrong with these authors.
May 21, 2023
A very well written book. Normally I don’t get through academic books quickly but this one is special. I didn’t agree with everything, being Protestant, but don’t let that stop you! I really appreciated the continuity with the Old Testament.
July 16, 2023
Brant Pitre is one of my favorite authors. Unlike many of his other books this one is an academic treatise. It is NOT written for the layman but is an excellent tome for one versed in theology and St. Paul.
December 17, 2024
Still reading, but a great and holistic synthesis of the New Perspective with historic Catholic teaching. If you want a deep-dive – like gives you a run for your money sometimes deep – on why Catholics don’t believe in sola fide, for example, this is a great scholarly resource.
July 12, 2025
A very in-depth Academic work on the Theology of Paul. The authors are Roman Catholic, but do a very good job of citing Protestant Scholarship and discussing where their insights are valid and where they are not. This book will be one that I keep on my shelf and come back to again and again.
June 12, 2022
Very solid book for up to date scholarship on Paul
z-dnf
March 20, 2025Dnf 40%
January 13, 2026
Among the best books available on Pauline theology.
March 27, 2026
This is a great book that discusses Paul’s views on Christ, Judaism, and his own identity, and the authors weigh in on how to interpret some of his most debated teachings to the early church. I have to say, my favorite chapter was chapter 5, which discusses Paul’s views on faith, righteousness, and justification. The authors here make a very strong case for the Catholic viewpoint on salvation, although this is certainly not an apologetic work. The authors do a great job weighing the viewpoints of scholars from various backgrounds.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews