What would the world look like if the Old Perspective on Paul was right about justification, the New Perspective was right about Judaism, and the Radical New Perspective was right to note ongoing differences between Jewish and Gentile converts?
Galatians Reconsidered is a compelling, practical study of Paul the Apostle's writing that explores just that. Emphasising the central role played by regression in Paul's argument on justification, Neil Martin examines the dichotomy between faith and works and how the apostle envisaged the differences in how Jews and Gentiles should interact with the Law.
By re-establishing Galatians in its original Jewish and pagan context, Martin exposes the problems faced by Galatian churches and shows how they still speak to modern churches today. His insight not only helps us better appreciate Paul's message but challenges us to put his wisdom into practice in our own church settings.
Provocative and stimulating Galatians Reconsidered is a robust new look at the question of justification. It will leave you with a thorough knowledge of the merits and failings of both the old and new perspectives on Paul, as well as a broader understanding of the letter to the Galatians both in the context in which it was written and its continued relevance today.
"'Might cultural habits and convictions of their pre-Christian past affect the way converts discern rival interpretations of their new-found faith? In this compelling and original study, Neil Martin argues from a wide range of ancient primary sources that this is what lies behind Paul's puzzling warning to Gentile Galatians: having come to faith in Christ, their additional adoption of Jewish obser
Markus Bockmuehl, Dean Ireland's Professor of the Exegesis of Holy Scripture, University o
"'Neil Martin has accomplished something to which few writers in the crowded field of Pauline research should even aspire: saying something both new and significant about as foundational a concept as the reason for Paul's sharp invective in Galatians. Appropriating the best insights of the old, new, and radical new perspectives on Paul, Martin comes down squarely in none of those camps. Instead, h
Craig L. Blomberg, Distinguished Professor Emeritus of New Testament, Denver Seminary, Lit
"'Galatians is a puzzle in many ways, partly because Paul is so angry about encouraging Jewish practices that he is unconcerned about elsewhere. Neil Martin has more emotional intelligence than anyone I've ever met, so I'm not surprised he has found this solution to the conundrum. His suggestion, that Paul is concerned about the insidious effects of old habits, is so obvious once it's pointed out,
David Instone-Brewer, Senior Research Fellow, Tyndale House, Cambridge
