Rom - Lesson 15 Flashcards
Give the two conclusions for which E. P. Sanders is most famous.
1. Palestinian Judaism of the first century was not works-righteousness oriented (legalistic)
* One did not enter the covenant by works, but by grace
* The law was a gracious response to God although obeying the law was a necessity for “staying in” in the covenant. (From a theological perspective, Sanders did not realize that “staying in the covenant” is just another aspect of works-righteousness and did not understand the distinction between meriting salvation and the third use of the law)
* Sanders called this Palestinian Jewish pattern of religion of the first century “covenantal nomism.”
* NPP authors felt that from Luther through Bultmann, German scholarship had interpreted “works of the law” as achieving self-righteousness due to the following historical and cultural factors:
* The propensity of the medieval Roman Catholic church towards self-righteousness
* Hence, as the now standard historical explanation goes, Luther read the medieval Roman Catholic view onto the first century opponents of Paul
2. Paul first found Christ and then made up reasons why the law was bad
* “From solution [Christ] to plight [therefore something must have been wrong].”
* But of all the possible options as to what Paul found wrong regarding the law, works righteousness was not on the table because:
* No one believed in works-righteousness
* Therefore, this cannot be Paul’s problem with the law
*
What does Paul’s use of “works of the law” mean according to Dr. Cara and according to Dunn?
DUNN:
* Nationality badges are Sabbath-keeping, circumcision, and food laws
* When Paul says that by the “works of the law no flesh shall be justified” (Gal 2:16; Rom 3:20, 27) Paul primarily means that since Christ came we can drop the nationality badges
* Dunn’s thesis also includes that “works of the law” in Gal 2:16 is not antithetical to “justified by faith” as a soteriological system.
Dr. Cara:
* Works of the Law in the reformed world is works righteousness.
What is Dunn’s view of (1) Justification and (2) Ephesians 2:8-9?
(1) Justification
* Justification is not forensic, but relational:
* It is “not a once-for-all act of God.
* It is rather the initial acceptance by God into restored relationship.
* But thereafter the relationship could not be sustained without God continuing to exercise his justifying righteousness with a view to the final act of judgment and acquittal”
(2) Ephesians 2:8-9?
* Dunn argues that this text does most likely speak of achieving self-righteousness and not nationality badges
* Of course, this is (further) evidence to Dunn that Paul did not write Ephesians
What is Sanders’ rationale that the works righteousness in 4 Ezra is not representative of Second Temple Judaism? (ch. 3)
He argues that the works righteousness of 4 Ezra is not representative becaus3e it is a polemical document produced by the pressures of teh Roman oppression near A.D. 70.
Why has 4QMMT garnered attention in the NPP debate? (ch. 3)
- 4QMMT C27 wording “works of the Law” matches Paul (Rom 3:20, Gal 2:16).
- “and it will be reckoned to you as righteousness” in 4QMMT C31 is similar to Gen 15:6, Ps 106:31 and Paul (Rom 4:3, Gal 3:6).
- On teh Surface, 4QMMT appears to have a clear works righteousness theology.
In the Tosefta Quiddushin, explain the context for the following quote, “A person should always see himself as if he is half meritorious and half guilty.” (ch. 3)
- The larger context is discussing laws to obey when in the promised land.
- It includes a balance for weighting good and evil deeds.
- One single sin distroys many good things (Eccl9:18)
Many NPP authors concede that Eph 2:8-10, 2 Tim 1:8-10, and Titus 3:4-7 contrast grace and works righteousness. According to Cara, how does this concession argue against Sander’ Covenantal Nomism and ultimately against NPP? (ch. 4)
- Since these three passages refer to works righteousness, Covenantal Nomism was NOT universal as Sanders argues.
- Even if these three passages are only for a Gentile audience, Works righteousness was “in the air.”
- This underminds NPP since works righteousness existed during 2nd Temple Judaism and CN relies on no works righteousness theology existed at the time.
