Justification and Variegated Nomism, Vol 1: Complexities of 2nd Temple Judaism

"A wonderful resource. . . . There is much that is profitable about this volume. . . . This is an important collection of essays that deserves repeated attention in discussions of the background of Pauline theology, and the Jewish foreground met by the proclamation of the apostolic gospel."

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"Though the main impact of Sanders's contribution has been on the second phase 'new perspective on Paul,' that second phase depends so heavily on Sanders's 'new perspective on Second Temple Judaism' that any thorough rethink of the whole must in the first place focus intensively on Sanders's 'covenantal nomism' and examine its appropriateness as a summary description of the widely diverse literature of Second Temple Judaism. This is the task undertaken by Carson, O'Brien, and Seifrid. . . . The editors of this volume are therefore to be warmly congratulated on conceiving the need and in meeting it so well."

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"A breath of fresh air."

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"This volume succeeds in reminding us of the sheer diversity of Second Temple Judaism and warns us that monolithic constructs such as 'convenantal nomism' will probably always be distorting, particularly when they are pitted against particular writers such as Paul, who were speaking in the context of a particular Judaism in a particular time and place. In this sense it already seems that this first volume succeeds in setting the question of Paul's view of the law in a different light than it has often enjoyed in the past quarter-century. . . . If this first installment is any indication, the [second volume] too will be unavoidable reading for anyone interested in Pauline theology."

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"The level of discussion is pitched quite high, the various authors have provided a useful resource for students in the brief introductions to these Jewish documents. It is particularly important to notice the great care that is taken by the various authors to ensure that they are working with documents which give as accurate as possible an indication of views held prior to or during the early first century. . . . While this book is no easy read and will probably not make the top of the bestsellers charts, its significance is immense and all who have the competence to read it should certainly do so."

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"This is a fine survey of an important theme. The focus on literary genres brings out the diversity of Second Temple Judaism. The editors have brought together a team of scholars that is international, ecumenical, and generally first rate."

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"Justification and Variegated Nomism presents the most thorough reexamination to date of E. P. Sanders's Paul and Palestinian Judaism. This new study of the intertestamental literature will require a rethinking of Sanders's concept of 'covenantal nomism' and its application to Paul's theology of justification."

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