The Faith of Jesus Christ: The Narrative Substructure of Galatians 3:1-4:11

by Richard B. Hays

Publishers:

Dove Booksellers; Eerdmans

, 2002

Overview

Widely praised as a major contribution to Pauline studies, Richard B. Hays's Faith of Jesus Christ now features, in this expanded second edition, a foreword by Luke Timothy Johnson, a new introduction by Hays, and a substantial dialogue with James D. G. Dunn.

In this important study Hays argues against the mainstream that any attempt to account for the nature and method of Paul's theological language must first reckon with the centrality of narrative elements in his thought. Through an in-depth investigation of Galatians 3:1–4:11, Hays shows that the framework of Paul's thought is neither a system of doctrines nor his personal religious experience but the “sacred story” of Jesus Christ. Above all, Paul's thought is guided by his concern to draw out the implications of the gospel story, particularly how the “faith of Jesus Christ” reflects the mission of the church.

Contents

Top Highlights

“The central thesis of the book is stated forthrightly in the opening pages and reiterated in the concluding chapter: a story about Jesus Christ is presupposed by Paul’s argument in Galatians, and his theological reflection attempts to articulate the meaning of that story.” (Page xxiv)

“Does this mean that the human faith-response to God’s action in Christ is insignificant for Paul? By no means! It does mean, however, that ‘faith’ is not the precondition for receiving God’s blessing; instead, it is the appropriate mode of response to a blessing already given in Christ. As such, it is also the mode of participation in the pattern definitively enacted in Jesus Christ: as we respond in faith, we participate in an ongoing reenactment of Christ’s faithfulness.” (Page 211)

“When Paul uses the expression, does he intend the genitive Χριστοῦ to be subjective or objective with respect to the nominative πίστις? Does he, in other words, think of faith as something that Jesus Christ has or exercises, or does he think of it as something that humans direct toward Jesus Christ? Hays marshalls an impressive set of arguments in support of the subjective reading.” (Page xiii)

“The argument of my book is that the conventional judgments of lexicographers and commentators since the Reformation have been mistaken, precisely because they have focused narrowly on the apparent semantic equivalence established in Gal 2:16 and failed to see the larger context provided by Paul’s narrative christology.” (Page xlvii)

“The exegetical considerations advanced here have pointed toward a reading of Gal 3:11 which places the primary emphasis upon Christ’s faith, rather than upon the faith of the individual Christian as a means of attaining life.” (Page 141)

Praise for the Print Edition

This rich and remarkably mature study provides new perspectives on all of Paul’s thought and his place in earliest Christianity.

—Religious Studies Review

Hays’s thesis makes an exciting contribution toward understanding Paul’s soteriology.

—Journal of Theological Studies

This book makes a contribution to the study of Paul’s phrase ‘faith of Jesus Christ’ as well as of Galatians in general. It should be used by all who wish to engage in further consideration of these issues.

—Journal of Biblical Literature

Product Details

• Title: The Faith of Jesus Christ
• Author: Richard B. Hays
• Series: Eerdmans Biblical Resources Series
• Publisher: Eerdmans
• Publication Date: 2001
• Pages: 360

About Richard B. Hays

Richard B. Hays (born May 4, 1948) is Dean and George Washington Ivey Professor of New Testament at Duke Divinity School in Durham, North Carolina. His service as dean is for an intentional interim period while a national search is conducted. Hays received his B. A in English literature from Yale College and Master of Divinity from Yale Divinity School, and a Ph. D from Emory University.