Paul and Judaism at the End of History With Dr. Matthew Novenson
Oct 3, 2024
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In this enlightening discussion, Dr. Matthew Novenson, a distinguished New Testament scholar from Princeton Theological Seminary, dives into his latest book, examining the interplay between Paul and Judaism. He highlights the relevance of Paul's eschatological messages in today’s context and unpacks the complexities of early Christianity's relationship with Judaism. Key topics include Paul's interpretation of the law, the concept of justification through faith, and the significant theological implications of Christ as both the end and the fulfillment of the law.
Dr. Novenson emphasizes that Paul saw eschatological events as currently unfolding, contrasting with traditional views of them as future occurrences.
The podcast reveals that Paul's relationship with Judaism was complex, suggesting he maintained his identity while evolving his theological understanding post-conversion.
Deep dives
Eschatology and Its Present Reality
The podcast discusses the concept of eschatology, focusing on how Paul perceives the end of the world and the kingdom of God as a present reality rather than a distant future event. This perspective contrasts traditional Christian eschatology, which views such occurrences as far off and assured. Dr. Novenson highlights that Paul's writings suggest a more immediate stance, indicating that the culmination of the ages was already occurring in his time. By referencing Bo Burnham's quote about the end of the world, he emphasizes a shift in understanding eschatological events as concurrent with human experience.
Paul's Relationship with Judaism
The discussion explores Paul’s intricate relationship with Judaism, particularly how he identifies his past within it while asserting that he does not abandon Judaism after his conversion. Dr. Novenson argues that Paul's reference to 'Judaism' in his letters should not imply he transitioned to a separate religion but rather that he departed from a specific sectarian interpretation that lead to his prior persecution of believers. He contends that Paul's life should be understood as existing within the context of Judaism before and after his encounter with the risen Christ. This perspective challenges the conventional interpretation that positions Paul at odds with traditional Jewish teachings, highlighting a more nuanced understanding of his theological framework.
Works of the Law and Justification
The concept of 'works of the law' is examined within the podcast, with an emphasis on its implications for understanding Paul's doctrine of justification. Dr. Novenson posits that 'works of the law' refer to the observance of commandments outlined in the Torah and that Paul did not perceive these as the means to ultimate justification. Instead, he asserts that true justification comes through faith in Christ, positioning this faith as crucial for both Jews and Gentiles. This understanding leads to a broader discussion on how Jewish identity intersects with the faith experience of Gentile believers without dissolving their cultural distinctions.
Christology as Central to Paul's Theology
The podcast concludes by highlighting the intertwined relationship between Christology and eschatology in Paul's theology. Dr. Novenson argues that recognizing Jesus as the Messiah is essential for understanding Paul’s teachings on law and life in the Spirit. He suggests that the resurrection of Christ changes the interpretation of the law, presenting it not as a means of justification but as a parameter of living out one’s faith. By framing Christ as the 'end of the law', Novenson elucidates that Paul advocates for a transformation beyond traditional law observance towards a new way of being that embodies the life in Christ.
In this episode Scot McKnight and Cody Matchett talk with Dr. Matthew Novenson about his new book, Paul and Judaism at the End of History.
Matthew Novenson is the Helen H.P. Manson Professor of New Testament at Princeton Theological Seminary. He is also an honorary fellow at the University of Edinburgh, where previously he held the Chair of Biblical Criticism and Biblical Antiquities. He is the author of Christ among the Messiahs (Oxford University Press, 2012), The Grammar of Messianism (Oxford University Press, 2017), Paul, Then and Now (Eerdmans, 2022), and Paul and Judaism at the End of History (Cambridge University Press, 2024), among other works.
Ethereal Vistas by Denis Brodovskyi
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