New Perspectives on Paul

[contra]

How are the New Perspectives on Paul regarded within Messianic Judaism?

[Shimshon]

Can you enlighten me on this "new perspective" you mention? I've not heard of it. Todah

Shimshon

[contra]

The NPP is very hard to define, partly because it is "Perspectives" (plural) and partly becuase it has a lot of hard to grasp subtleties.

Basically it is a rejection of the traditional Protestant, even Western, way of reading Paul, with the claim that Paul meant something very different. Partly it is a development of liberal theology. Partly it is post-WWII liberal guilt. Partly is an attempt to kickstart a post-modern theology. Lately forms of it have been taking hold among Evangelical groups, with popular works appearing and being translated into various languages.

The NPP originated in the graduate schools among specialists in New Testament studies or Judaic studies, and only after a few decades did it emerge at the popular level.

The basic claim is that Paul was not writing against salvation by works, against works-righteousness or the like. He did not have problems with the guilt of sin (only using the word "guilt" once in all his writings) and never underwent a conversion. Paul was concerned with the power of sin, not with guilt (culpability).

What Paul was really writing against was Jewish cultural distinctives as the mark of covenant membership, and the NPP says that this is what Paul meant by "works of the law". Paul's Damascus road experience was a call to apostleship, much like any prophet received a call to be a prophet, and not a conversion.

[Shimshon]

Oh, I think I understand. This "new" perspective is actually the original perspective. It is only new to Christians because Christianity has been teaching another message than the original. i.e. Though I sin I will be counted as righteous and replacement theology that states the church replaces Yisrael or it's counterpart seperate entity theolgy which states the church exists along side of Yisrael. The "justification" of sins not the "sanctification" of our souls.

I see this NPP as the church realizing some real Truth. It's not new. Only to those who have been taught false teachings will it seem like a "new" perspective. it's actually the old message finally becomeing acceptable.

I would be fearful if I were the church. It was this enlightenment that lead me straight away from any church based theology to start with. And if the church embraces too much of it's "Jewish Roots" it will be faced with a dilema to either adjust their theology to fit this "new" perspective and thus reject centuries of false theology. And in turn tear down the very organization they see as "G-d ordained". Or they will turn and reject this "new" original perspective and thus reject El Yeshuati. The G-d of their salvation. Hey, this sounds like the church is considering Messianic Judaism. lol Which leads me to an even greater concern that the church in it's usual way will attempt to mix in parts of Judaism now. Mixing even more theology into it's grab bag of doctrines. This will make it even harder to discern truth (so the Adversary might think). And yet at the same time make it even easier to discern. Because those who go along with the mixing will be seen as apostate by those who remain faithful to the witness testified by G-d through Yeshua.

Either way the power of G-d is moving and nobody can stop it. You either stand or fall. No fence sitters are allowed in the presence of G-d. Yes?

in peace
Shimshon

[insaneinthebrain]

Honestly, I think Brad Young put it best: Paul claimed to be a Pharisee, why should we believe he was anything different? (my paraphrase, but the meaning is the same ;))

[Bon]

Hi contra,

Welcome to the forums,

Just as Shimshon has said, it is not a new perspective but the true perspective.

You will find that most MJ's believe that Paul's writings have been gravly misinterpreted by many christians and has been a major cause of disagreement between MJ's and Christians.

Does anyone here believe that this has anything to do with the unvieling of the eyes of many in the end times?

Shalom from Bon

[Torah]

Very good answer Shimshon! Right on the money. :thumbsup:

[koilias]

Basically it is a rejection of the traditional Protestant, even Western, way of reading Paul, with the claim that Paul meant something very different. Partly it is a development of liberal theology. Partly it is post-WWII liberal guilt. Partly is an attempt to kickstart a post-modern theology. Lately forms of it have been taking hold among Evangelical groups, with popular works appearing and being translated into various languages.
Well, that's putting it somewhat snidely, wouldn't you think?;)

There is nothing "Post-Modern" about wanting to follow the heart of Yeshua's teaching, the Torah, which our Father in Heaven gave us!:)