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Let No One Judge You: A Pronomian Pocket Guide to Colossians 2
Does Paul say that the Law was nailed to the cross? Does Paul imply that his readers disregarded the Law when he instructs them not to accept judgment from people in regard to food, festivals, and the Sabbath? In this short book, R. L. Watson considers these questions and more.
Our Pronomian Pocket Guide series aims to show that the New Testament is consistent in proclaiming the Law's ongoing validity. We hope you are blessed as you consider Colossians 2 from a Pronomian perspective.
Our Pronomian Pocket Guide series aims to show that the New Testament is consistent in proclaiming the Law's ongoing validity. We hope you are blessed as you consider Colossians 2 from a Pronomian perspective.
70 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 7, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 1, 2022
Because it is listed as a "pocket guide," this book is relatively short. Even so, it packs a powerfull punch in arguing it's case to a proper understanding of Colossians 2. Have your Bible handy when you read through this well-written book.
June 28, 2025
Colossians 2:13-17 are often used in mainstream Christianity to justify Christians no longer resting on Saturday or abstaining from unclean meats like pork. The arguments goes that since Christ has nailed “the handwriting of ordinances” - interpreted to mean the Torah – to the cross (v. 14), then we should not let anyone judge us for not observing what were but “shadow[s] of things to come” (v. 17), these shadows being, according to the antinomian interpretation of verse 16, the dietary laws, biblical feasts, the Hebrew calendar, and the sabbath day. At first blush, this way of viewing the passage seems reasonable, but is it when read contextually? R.L. Watson argues otherwise in the concise first installment of the Pronomian Pocket Guide series: A Pronomian Pocket Guide to Colossians 2.
The entire second chapter of Colossians is devoted to opposing the “philosophy and vain deceit” (v. 8) that was at the time infiltrating the doctrines of the Colossian congregation. This heresy, a “tradition of men” (idem), involved judging others in terms of religious practices (v. 16), “a voluntary... worshipping of angels” (v. 18), and a “neglecting of the body” (v. 23). Watson uses this context as well as scholarly writings about first-century Colossian culture to suggest that the false teachers were not “Judaizers” but rather followers of Greek asceticism. He also points out that for Paul to be condemning the Mosaic Law in Colossians 2 would mean him contradicting other statements in his letters (e.g. Romans 3:31 and 2 Timothy 3:16). His interpretation of the passage is that Paul was instructing the Colossians to not let others guilt-trip them away from obeying the Torah, rather than the other way around.
All this and more is discussed in A Pronomian Pocket Guide to Colossians 2. It may be a little book, but no person can read it and afterward say that it is not either extensively researched or well thought out. It may be hard to understand for some, as it is geared toward a scholarly audience, but it is nonetheless an interesting exegesis of an oft-oversimplified passage. I recommend it for anyone wanting to learn more about pronomian Christianity.
The entire second chapter of Colossians is devoted to opposing the “philosophy and vain deceit” (v. 8) that was at the time infiltrating the doctrines of the Colossian congregation. This heresy, a “tradition of men” (idem), involved judging others in terms of religious practices (v. 16), “a voluntary... worshipping of angels” (v. 18), and a “neglecting of the body” (v. 23). Watson uses this context as well as scholarly writings about first-century Colossian culture to suggest that the false teachers were not “Judaizers” but rather followers of Greek asceticism. He also points out that for Paul to be condemning the Mosaic Law in Colossians 2 would mean him contradicting other statements in his letters (e.g. Romans 3:31 and 2 Timothy 3:16). His interpretation of the passage is that Paul was instructing the Colossians to not let others guilt-trip them away from obeying the Torah, rather than the other way around.
All this and more is discussed in A Pronomian Pocket Guide to Colossians 2. It may be a little book, but no person can read it and afterward say that it is not either extensively researched or well thought out. It may be hard to understand for some, as it is geared toward a scholarly audience, but it is nonetheless an interesting exegesis of an oft-oversimplified passage. I recommend it for anyone wanting to learn more about pronomian Christianity.
October 28, 2025
"If God could forgive us by deleting the Law, Christ died for nothing."...
A small book that packs a punch and is a valuable contribution to the "pronomian" perspective. Pleasant to read in one day/sitting, depending.
Watson smartly included multiple historically popular antinomian perspectives on Colossians 2 before dissecting the text in question. It is good and fair to lay everything out on the table in order to "compare notes." The author has a pleasant tone throughout, and I found my own understanding of this epistle being challenged on a few points, which was agreeable.
As I tend to be pedantic, I must mention a noticed spelling error: the accidental use of "aestheticism" instead of the surely intended "asceticism" on p.17. I only feel compelled to note as I imagine such small errors may cause the overcritical to turn up their nose. Although, if that is the case, one could further imagine such a reader to be looking for any reason to condemn this book, and thus, its point... I digress.
Ultimately, I would gladly recommend this pocket guide to those looking for an arguably concise exegesis on the "let no one judge you" question.
A small book that packs a punch and is a valuable contribution to the "pronomian" perspective. Pleasant to read in one day/sitting, depending.
Watson smartly included multiple historically popular antinomian perspectives on Colossians 2 before dissecting the text in question. It is good and fair to lay everything out on the table in order to "compare notes." The author has a pleasant tone throughout, and I found my own understanding of this epistle being challenged on a few points, which was agreeable.
As I tend to be pedantic, I must mention a noticed spelling error: the accidental use of "aestheticism" instead of the surely intended "asceticism" on p.17. I only feel compelled to note as I imagine such small errors may cause the overcritical to turn up their nose. Although, if that is the case, one could further imagine such a reader to be looking for any reason to condemn this book, and thus, its point... I digress.
Ultimately, I would gladly recommend this pocket guide to those looking for an arguably concise exegesis on the "let no one judge you" question.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews