E.P Sanders, in his writing, was attentive concerning an anti-jewish tendency adopted in the old perspective, arguing that both eras of Judaism had equal strength, resonating the grace seen in Pauline christianity. Sanders, along with Wright and Dunn concentrated on the idea of ‘exclusivism’, the righteousness upheld by traditional jewish practice. Paul however, was against this idea of righteousness as he saw God as he who welcomed people from all the land.
Justification itself is the process of being justified - being accepted by others and most importantly, god. In the old perspective, ‘justification’ is regarded as if it were a state of being - in reference to what you are/are not. In the NT however, Paul views the terms ‘justification’ and indeed ‘faith’ as a translation of what you readily DO, and more importantly, what God and Jesus have done for you. ‘Faith must be directed by the believer towards christ’. Faith means trust in God’s love, thus our own salvation depends on our faith in Jesus - how firmly we believe; however, the new perspective, as Paul contended, concentrates on faith as echoing the faithfulness of Jesus, shown explicitly through his sacrifice on the cross, and should be adopted by all people. In romans, ‘our faith in Jesus’ is an inaccurate translation of Galatians and romans. The use of the genitive case indicates possession - ‘of’ as opposed to ‘in’. We must therefore look to ‘the faith of Jesus’ - the faith of the believer in jesus must mirror the faith and trust Jesus himself has in his father. Thus, the foundation of our salvation and our own faith in Jesus is a response to Jesus’ action. Whats more, faith allows gentiles to convert to christianity without become israelites, highlighted by Paul in Romans, ‘for we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law. Is God the God of jews only? Is he not the God of gentiles too? Yes, of gentiles too.’
Paul defined faith with help of the genesis narrative, highlighting Abraham’s response to God’s promise, ‘He did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.’
Paul was addressing the idea the that trust in God was not simply an addition to one’s life. Instead, it requires a change in attitude, living through the word of the lord, maintaing faith in God’s promise. Faith answers the divine word of God - he speaks, and we must believe in response to his word. God promises justification to all who trust in him as Jesus’ saviour. Just as Abraham had trusted that ‘God had power to do what he had promised’, faith must reflect that of God, the object of such faith. By defining God, the Bible sets the mark for the faith we must place in him for he was the one who rose Jesus from the dead, who allowed Jesus to perform his miracles, accepting people from all backgrounds, using his power to bring righteousness upon the world.
Paul had discontentment with the ‘works of the law’ as it highlighted things done outside of Christ. Paul associated the works of the law with the flesh, which is inadequate in obeying the word of the lord. ‘By the works of the law no flesh will be justified in his sight.’ Paul argued that no relationship could be formed with God merely through law abiding, as humans would be lead astray. Paul clearly highlights that God regards righteousness in line with grace and that he alone defines what is necessary to enter the kingdom of god. ‘And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.’
Paul uses justification in contention that gentiles should stand firm to not ‘let yourself be burdened again by the yoke of slavery’. Paul’s uses the word yoke, much like his contemporaries in reference to the yoke of the law. It places the believer under the weight of the commandments, preventing them from breaking free of sin and finding pure faith. The spirit however, the mark of covenantal inclusion by faith, produces love and peace. Jesus himself was, ‘born under law’ and died under it, taking it all upon himself - in doing so he has set us free so that we don't take it upon ourselves again.Thus, as Paul argues, people of all faith can come together under God in harmony.
by
purplej (student)
