Paul Perceived

An Interactionist Perspective on Paul and the Law

by Karl Olav Sandnes

Book cover: Paul Perceived

Extent: 260 pages

Publisher: Mohr Siebeck

Subjects: Biblical Studies

Series: Wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zum Neuen Testament

Series volume number: 412

Language: English

Hardback (Published)

(September 2018)

ISBN: 9783161561016

Price: $180.00

In stock

An epicenter in present-day Pauline scholarship is the issue of the Law. The interpretation of this contentious issue started before Paul’s letters and found its way into them by his citing how others perceived of his theology, and in Paul rendering rumors and criticism, and also interacting with them. To this reception-oriented perspective belong also punitive actions taken against Paul by synagogues. As a reception of Paul, Acts is included, leaving a more complex picture than argued by advocates of Paul within Judaism. Thus Karl Olav Sandnes uncovers the first interpretation or reception of Paul’s view on Torah. It is limited in its scope, but provides a critical and necessary view on common trends in Pauline scholarship. Paul’s decentering of the Torah was considered endangering for morality, for Jews and Gentiles alike. Perceptions of Paul’s theology must be accounted for in Pauline studies.

  • By (author) Karl Olav Sandnes