Perspectives on Paul: Five Views

by Scot McKnight (Editor), B.J. Oropeza (Editor), Dennis Edwards (Afterword)

This five-views work brings together an all-star lineup of Pauline scholars to offer a constructive, interdenominational, up-to-date conversation on key issues of Pauline theology. The editors begin with an informative recent history of biblical tradition related to the perspectives on Paul. John M. G. Barclay, A. Andrew Das, James D. G. Dunn, Brant Pitre, and Magnus Zetterholm then discuss how to interpret Paul's writings and theology, especially the apostle's view of salvation. The book concludes with an assessment of the perspectives from a pastoral point of view by Dennis Edwards.

Genres: Biblical Studies, Theology, Christianity, New Testament

304 pages, Paperback

Published October 27, 2020

About the author

Scot McKnight is a recognized authority on the New Testament, early Christianity, and the historical Jesus. McKnight, author or editor of forty books, is the Professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary in Lombard, IL. Dr. McKnight has given interviews on radios across the nation, has appeared on television, and is regularly speaks at local churches, conferences, colleges, and seminaries in the USA and abroad. Dr. McKnight obtained his Ph.D. at the University of Nottingham (1986).

Reviews

[Bob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summary: Presents five perspectives on the ministry and message of Paul: the Catholic, traditional Protestant, the “New Perspective” pioneered by E.P. Sanders, the Paul within Judaism perspective, and the Gift perspective.

Beginning with the work of E. P. Sanders and those who followed him, there has been an explosion of Pauline scholarship, often some version of “perspective” on Paul. The editors of this volume offer a brief overview of the recent scholarship in introducing the five perspectives in this volume:

1. The Roman Catholic Perspective. Brad Pitre, affirming the New Perspective contribution to understanding Second Temple Judaism’s covenantal nomism, contends that the Catholic view of faith and works has strong resonances with the New Perspective, which for him is not that new.

2. The Protestant Perspective. A. Andrew Das sets forth the traditional Protestant perspective on justification by grace alone with works as a response to being saved. He also recognizes that the New Perspective gives the lie to stereotypic faith vs. work caricatures.

3. The New Perspective. James D. G. Dunn offers a restatement of the New Perspective, valuable because it may be one of the last pieces of writing from this scholar before his death in June of 2020, particularly affirming Paul’s theology of justification that crossed cultural boundaries.

4. Paul within Judaism. This perspective, discussed by Magnus Zetterholm, takes the Second Temple Judaism of Paul further and insists that Paul never left Judaism or its practices, while teaching non-Jews to live consistently with Judaism while respecting their Gentile identity.

5. The Gift Perspective. John Barclay contributes perhaps the newest perspective, one that sees the gift of Christ, his grace as making sense of the promises to Abraham, the experience of the Spirit, and the oneness of God.

Each of the contributors respond to others with a concluding response from each contributor. What is striking (perhaps apart from A. Andrew Das’ response to the Catholic perspective), was that this wasn’t one versus the others, but each in conversation with the others. It was striking the widely shared consensus on the New Perspective, particularly in its shattering of stereotypes of Judaism that lead to anti-Semitism. More clearly we see the Paul who is a product of second temple Judaism as well as apostle to the Gentiles. James D. G. Dunn candidly admitted his lack of reading of the early fathers in conversation with Brad Pitre. In addition to the irenic character of the conversation, one sensed a convergence of perspectives. Not that there was total agreement, particularly in the nuances. But one had the sense of scholars at different vantage points considering the same object, Paul, and gaining a fuller perspective from the perspectives of each.

This, to me, represented the best of theologians from different perspectives in conversation. In addition, between the editors’ introduction and the interactions around each perspective, this book is a good introduction to recent Pauline scholarship in a single volume, drawing upon the very best from each perspective. Dennis Edwards adds a concluding essay considering the pastoral relevance of the discussion. This is one of the very best “perspectives” books I’ve encountered.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

[Filip Sylwestrowicz · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Perspectives on Paul' helpfully set side by side several major perspectives on Paul. One would wish that they've included also an apocalyptic Paul but otherwise major views are covered. All essays are interesting, although Pitre's essay stands out as an exercise in theological reading heavy on reception history. It is a good exercise insofar as it goes but not the best match for an exegetical and historical focus of remaining essays. One stimulating aspect of this collection is that there is a helpful exchange on the Antioch incident between Dunn, Das, and Zetterholm which provides a helpful practical test-case for various readings.

[Tim Donnelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who knew there were so many perspectives on interpreting Paul?!

I found this book after doing a little searching in an effort to learn more about The New Perspective on Paul. Which this book addresses, as do all the contributors to some extent. The really interesting part is you get to hear from the experts themselves who each come with a different perspective: Catholic, Traditional Protestant, The NPP, Paul Within Judaism, and The Gift Perspective.

I found Pitre’s (Catholic) and Barclay’s (Gift) contributions to the book to be the most compelling and stimulating. Barclay’s being my favorite overall, and Zetterholm (PWJ) being my least favorite.

I was also a bit disappointed by Dunn’s contribution as it felt he wasn’t very thorough in his responses or in his attempt to encapsulate what the NPP is. At times it seemed he was saying, “Well I’ve already written a ton on this, so just go and read that instead.” Which is fair being a trailblazer of the NPP, but not the best introduction to the topic if you’re wanting to learn more about it specifically.

Aside from that though, really good stuff in this book! Nothing that will change your life, but cool to learn more about.

[John Pawlik · Rating 4 out of 5]

These “5 views” books are a crazy format to read and learn through. I oscillate back and forth between hating the format and loving it when reading! It can seem at times very pedantic, but at other times it reveals pieces of information through constant clashing that would take me much longer to glean without the great help of these tools

This book in particular was wild! The study of Paul is at a wild place right now, so many debates across so many issues within the New Testament demand serious reflection and thought from everyone reading Scripture!

My thankfulness for authors like James Dunn and John Barclay (and even Brant Pitre) is rooted in their refusal for weak answers from traditional reformed scholars. Often the same questions they ask are the ones I ask of my own tradition, and even more frequently they ask better questions than I could have thought of.

The result of this is a stronger reading of Scripture that has been tested by the fire of accountability and has shaken off the myopic dross of secluded reading.

[Brad Dell · Rating 4 out of 5]

At times this book’s format frustrated me, but largely I enjoyed its discussion and can’t think of a better format for this book’s nature. The interpretation of Paul has long been a head scratcher for the masses — even Peter agrees in his epistle — and so I appreciated that none of the five authors compromised with weak answers or oversimplified. They gave their most powerful efforts and formed a demonstration of why we really should listen to one another’s reasoning rather than dismiss face-value arguments as foolish. I’m glad when we can wrestle scripture as a community undivided and hungering for the heart of the Jesus.

[Corey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book comparing different views on Paul. Really demonstrates the depth of ocean that is Pauline studies.

My favorite bits were E.P Sanders covenantal nomism, and James Dunn's essay, especially his response to Das. Mostly enjoyed all of Barclay's writings.

My only knock on the book that it wasn't as cohesive as I was hoping for. Each author had some overlap with others, but it wasn't as if they were ALL arguing what "works of the law" means, or whether its "faith in Christ" or "faith of Christ" and implications for Pauline interpretation, etc. But nonetheless, significantly better than the other perspectives on Paul book's ive read.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is well worth the read. It shows the different sides of the debates surrounding Paul, and in doing so it enhances the reader’s own understanding. I found Das and Barclay to be the most illuminating. Pitre was also helpful at times. Zetterholm had the most disappointing parts (some made me question if he was Christian), but even this was helpful in its own way.

[Daniel Supimpa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably the best books in this “n-views-on-x” I have ever come across. The overall objective of the book is to give a landscape of pauline studies (particularly on the apostle’s theological categories and soteriology) displaying five angles represented in sharp scholars of the field:

1) Catholic Perspective (Brant Pitre)

2) Traditional Protestant/“Lutheran” (Andrew Das)

3) New Perspective on Paul (James D G Dunn)

4) Paul Within Judaism/Radical New Perspective (Magnus Zetterholm)

5) “Gift” Perspective (John M G Barclay)

It was an example of blunt, but fair and balanced criticism toward each other. The departing point for all the essayists is the turn in pauline studies since E P Sanders’ work “Paul and Palestinian Judaism” (1977). Then, each portion of the book brought an essay by one representative scholar, evaluative replies and questions by all the others, and a final response of the representative scholar. The book concludes with a pastoral reflection on the importance of pauline studies for the life of the church by Dennis Edwards.

An incredibly helpful book for those who seek to understand the positions on the apostle Paul (although the Apocalyptic Paul was a missing element, in my view).

[Frank Russell · Rating 4 out of 5]

The introduction to this book has the best succinct description and history of “The New Perspective on Paul” that I’ve read. At the same time, it delivers on showcasing 5 perspectives on the apostle that challenge the traditional Protestant view on Paul that, to some, can seem cut and dry.

My appreciation for Pauline interpretation has increased tenfold from this excellent book. Im encouraged and looking forward to reading from the extensive list of bibliographies each author presents!