Paul and Palestinian Judaism: A Comparison of Patterns of Religion, 40th Anniversary Edition
Overview
This landmark work, which has shaped a generation of scholarship, compares the apostle Paul with contemporary Judaism, both understood on their own terms. E.P. Sanders proposes a methodology for comparing similar but distinct religious patterns, demolishes a flawed view of rabbinic Judaism still prevalent in much New Testament scholarship, and argues for a distinct understanding of the apostle and of the consequences of his conversion. A new foreword by Mark A. Chancey outlines Sanders’s achievement, reviews the principal criticisms raised against it, and describes the legacy he leaves future interpreters.
Key Features
- Examines Paul through the context of contemporary Judaism
- Features a new foreward by Mark A. Chancey on Sanders, criticisms against the book, and its legacy
- Contains an extensive bibliography and indices
Contents
- Part One: Palestinian Judaism
- Tannaitic Literature
- The Dead Sea Scrolls
- Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha
- Palestinian Judaism 200 BCE–200 CE: Conclusion
- Part Two: Paul
Top Highlights
“A pattern of religion, defined positively, is the description of how a religion is perceived by its adherents to function.8 ‘Perceived to function’ has the sense not of what an adherent does on a day-to-day basis, but of how getting in and staying in are understood: the way in which a religion is understood to admit and retain members is considered to be the way it ‘functions’.” (Page 17)
“Thus one can see already in Paul how it is that Christianity is going to become a new form of covenantal nomism, a covenantal religion which one enters by baptism, membership in which provides salvation, which has a specific set of commandments, obedience to which (or repentance for the transgression of which) keeps one in the covenantal relationship, while repeated or heinous transgression removes one from membership.” (Page 513)
“The warning is against boasting of the relationship to God which is evidenced by possession of the law and against being smug about the knowledge of God’s will while in fact transgressing.” (Page 550)
“As we shall eventually see, knowing God and cleaving to his way does entail a reward (since God is just), but the reward is not the goal of religion.” (Page 83)
“In short, this is what Paul finds wrong in Judaism: it is not Christianity.” (Page 552)
Praise for the Print Edition
Paul and Palestinian Judaism revolutionized New Testament Studies. This great book began the serious academic retrieval of Second Temple Judaism as the defining context, in positive ways, of Paul’s life and work. Brilliantly analyzing a broad range of early Jewish texts, Sanders likewise exposed the deep and abiding anti-Judaism afflicting – and disfiguring – centuries of Christian scholarship. Both intellectually and morally, his writing sounded a summons that has reshaped an entire field of study. If, in the forty years since its first publication, things have begun to change, it is thanks to Sanders, and to the enduring achievement of Paul and Palestinian Judaism.
—Paula Fredriksen, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem
E.P. Sanders’s Paul and Palestinian Judaism is a modern classic. It changed the way we look at Paul and the way we look at ancient Judaism. Forty years later, it is still worth reading and worth arguing about.
—Shaye J.D. Cohen, Harvard University
- Title: Paul and Palestinian Judaism: A Comparison of Patterns of Religion, 40th Anniversary Edition
- Author: E. P. Sanders
- Edition: 40th Anniversary Edition
- Publisher: Fortress Press
- Print Publication Date: 2017
- Logos Release Date: 2017
- Pages: 668
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subjects: Dead Sea Scrolls; Bible. O.T. › Criticism, interpretation, etc; Bible. N.T. Epistles of Paul › Theology; Tannaim; Apocryphal books (O.T.) › Criticism, interpretation, etc
- ISBNs: 9781506438146, 9781506438450, 9780800604998, 1506438148, 1506438458, 0800604997
- Resource ID: LLS:PAULPALJUDSM40AVYED
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2023-04-18T01:22:33Z
In the Logos edition, this volume is enhanced by amazing functionality. Important terms link to dictionaries, encyclopedias, and a wealth of other resources in your digital library. Perform powerful searches to find exactly what you’re looking for. Take the discussion with you using tablet and mobile apps. With Logos Bible Software, the most efficient and comprehensive research tools are in one place, so you get the most out of your study.
Sample Pages from the Print Edition
Reviews
2 ratings
Logosed
7/10/2020
In his thorough "Paul and Palestinian Judaism" E. P. Sanders attacked the most sacred view of Pauline scholarship: that Judaism was a legalistic religion based on works-righteousness. This belief was characteristic of Augustine and later Luther. The first two thirds of Sander's study is devoted to a detailed study of Second Temple Judaism. The last 1/3 is focused on Pauline theology, and despite its brevity, gets to the meat. The power of this book has not diminished after nearly thirty years. It is without doubt the most important work on the theology of Paul in the latter half of the 20th century: compulsory and compulsive reading.
Nathan Wayne VanHorn
2/12/2019
Jeremy Priest
3/30/2018
As far as I can see, the only thing different about this edition is a new preface... or am I missing something?
