"Toward a New Perspective on Paul"

Before, we look at the main New Perspective writers; there is a preliminary scholar that should be discussed.  Kister Stendahl, in the 60’s was already looking critically at the interpretation of Paul.  Specifically, Stendahl noted that the problems Luther dealt with where not the primary issues for Paul.  Paul was interested in the relation of Jews and non-Jews.  For Stendahl the contrast is not “Christianity” and “Judaism” but “the law” and “the gospel.”

This shifts the way Paul’s conversion has been traditionally read.  Paul conversion was not from “Judaism” to “Christianity.”  Paul’s changed outlook was more in line with the calling of prophets, such as Isaiah and Jeremiah.  As Zetterholm notes “According to Stendahl, Paul serves the same God as before, admittedly in a different way, but still directly linked to what was already part of Jewish tradition” (99).  Paul’s theology then is understood as being in line with his own calling to be an apostle to the non-Jew.

“Justification,” for Stendahl is a part of the relation of Jew and Gentile, in Romans and Galatians.  “Justification” should be placed along side the center of the letter, mainly Romans 9-11.  This section deals with the God’s plan for final salvation and the relation of Paul’s ministry to the Gentiles, as a part of that plan.  Stendahl argues that God’s salvation plan anticipates the “no” of the Jews and opens to the Gentiles.  Salvation is for the Jews, as well, according to Stendahl, and he argues against a contradiction between salvation offered to Jews and non-Jews.  “Justification” then fits within this overall idea of God’s “victory” and “salvation” and that God’s righteousness will set everything right (99).

Stendahl’s writing points towards many of the ideas of recent scholarship and it is the overwhelming dominance of the traditional view, at the time, that made Stendahl’s ideas hard for many to understand.  It will be a short move from Stendahl to the next several scholars.