New Creation in Paul's Letters and Thought
As a biblical motif, 'new creation' resonates throughout the pages of the Jewish and Christian scriptures, and occupies a central place in the apostle Paul's vision of the Christian life. Yet the biblical and extra-biblical occurrences of this theme vary widely in meaning, referring to either a new cosmos, a new community, or a new individual. Beginning with the Old Testament and working through the important texts of Second Temple Judaism, Moyer V. Hubbard focuses on how the motif functions in the argument, strategy, and literary structure of these documents, highlighting its role as the solution to the perceived plight. He then explores in detail which senses of the term Paul intends in Galatians 6.15 and 2 Corinthians 5.17, concluding that 'new creation' in Paul's letters describes the Spirit-wrought newness of the person in Christ, and is fundamentally anthropological in orientation.
- New approach to Paul's letters
- New theological insights
- Thorough investigation of the New Testament concept of 'new creation'
Reviews & endorsements
"...a fine, well-argued book." Religious Studies Review
"...this work is useful to scholars exploring the theology of Paul. It is well worth reading." Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society
Product details
August 2005Paperback
9780521018951
308 pages
217 × 140 × 19 mm
0.408kg
Available
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction: the current debate
- Part I. New Creation: Central Jewish Texts:
- 2. New creation in the Jewish scriptures: an overview
- 3. New creation in apocalyptic Judaism: Jubilees
- 4. New creation in diaspora Judaism: Joseph and Aseneth
- Part II. From Death to Life: New Creation in the Contours of Paul's Thought:
- 5. From death to life: Prolegomena
- 6. Newness of life: Romans 6.1–11
- 7. Newness of the Spirit: Romans 7.1–6
- 8. Spirit, newness, life: The Pauline antecedents
- 9. Crucified with Christ: Galatians 2.19–20
- Part III. The Old and the New: New Creation in the Context of Paul's Letters:
- 10. If anyone be in Christ:
- 2 Corinthians 5.17
- 11. Neither circumcision, nor uncircumcision: Galatians 6.15
- 12. Summary and conclusions.