Studies in the Pauline Epistles: Essays in Honor of Douglas J. Moo
Overview
A must-have for any serious Pauline scholar or student, this Festschrift to Douglas J. Moo is unique in several ways. Since Doug has been a key proponent to the Old Perspective on Paul, the reader will be interested in reading the essay by N. T. Wright in which he reflects on the phrase “the righteousness of God” in Romans 3. And where else can you read an essay by James D. G. Dunn on “What’s Good about the Old Perspective on Paul” and by Stephen Westerholm on “What’s Right about the New Perspective on Paul”?
Since one of Doug Moo’s roles is as chairman of the Committee on Bible Translation (which oversees the NIV translation), several authors offer arguments for modifications to the NIV for the committee to consider. Interestingly, Jonathan A. Moo, Doug’s son, who is following in his father’s footsteps as a biblical scholar, does a careful analysis of Paul’s reflections on himself as the father of those whom he has led to Christ.
These are only some of the rich, solid essays from colleagues and former students that fill this book.
Key Features
- Focues on exegesis, Paul’s use of Scripture, and contemporary Pauline scholarship
- Honors the works and legacy of Doug Moo
- Explores specific passages in the Pauline Epistles
Contents
- “Douglas J. Moo: Life and Career,” by Dane C. Ortlund
Exegeting Paul
- “Already Reigning in Life through One Man: Recovery of Adam’s Abandoned Dominion (Romans 5:12–21),” by Ardel B. Caneday
- “The Catalytic Operation of the Law and Moral Transformation in Romans 6–7,” by Chris A. Vlachos
- “Of Parents and Children: 1 Corinthians 4:15– 16 and Life in the Family of God,” by Jonathan A. Moo
- “A Slogan in 1 Corinthians 6:18b: Pressing the Case,” by Jay E. Smith
- “Mirror-Reading with Paul and against Paul: Galatians 2:11–14 as a Test Case,” by D.A. Carson
- “Greek Grammar and the Translation of Philippians 2:12,” by Verlyn D. Verbrugge
Paul’s Use of Scripture and the Jesus Tradition
- “Quotations, Allusions, and Echoes of Jesus in Paul,” by Craig L. Blomberg
- “Allegory, Typology, or Something Else? Revisiting Galatians 4:21 –5:1,” by Matthew S. Harmon
- “Hermeneutics and Paul: Psalm 68:18 in Ephesians 4:7–10 as a Test Case,” by Grant R. Osborne
Pauline Scholarship and His Contemporary Significance
- “Salvation History (Heilsgeschichte) and Paul: Comments on a Disputed but Essential Category,” by Robert W. Yarbrough
- “The Eschatology of Paul,” by G.K. Beale
- “What’s Right about the Old Perspective on Paul,” by James D.G. Dunn
- “What’s Right about the New Perspective on Paul,” by Stephen Westerholm
- “A New Perspective on Käsemann? Apocalyptic, Covenant, and the Righteousness of God,” by N.T. Wright
- “Understanding Truth according to Paul,” by Thomas R. Schreiner
- “Paul’s Message Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow: For Doug Moo, in Gratitude,” by Mark A. Seifrid
Top Highlights
“While freedom from the law, for Paul, is the reality in which the believer experiences deliverance from sin, death with Christ is the gate through which each must pass to enter this law-free realm.” (Page 53)
“just as God credits ‘righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead’ (4:24” (Page 36)
“life, does not reign; rather it is the recipient of grace that reigns in life” (Page 29)
“All are agreed that Paul’s doctrine did not have as its target legalists striving to earn salvation by their good deeds. And all are united in claiming that the point of his doctrine was rather that Gentile believers did not need to be circumcised or keep other distinctively Jewish practices in order to belong to the people of God; the latter was made up simply of those with faith in Jesus Christ.” (Page 231)
“On a second point, the old perspective was quite right, in relation to the related verb—δικαιόω. It was right in insisting that the verdict of acquittal which the metaphor expressed constituted a change of status rather than of character—to ‘count or reckon as righteous’ rather than to ‘make righteous.’ This is clear enough from the law-court context from which the metaphor is derived.” (Pages 217–218)
Praise for the Print Edition
It goes without saying that Doug Moo and I have not always agreed. But his patient attention to the text, especially when it does not seem to agree with our church traditions, is a shining example of what exegesis means. That, I believe, is the ideal in which he and I are bound in ties of fellowship transcending verbal disputes.
—N. T. Wright
Doug is a top-notch NT scholar, as apparent from his several excellent published commentaries. I believe that he is one of the best commentary writers of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. His excellent and incisive exegetical thinking is always evident.
—G. K. Beale
Doug is the essence of a Christian gentleman and scholar. His kindness is demonstrated in how he treats those who disagree with him, for he honors and respects those who differ with him.
—Thomas R. Schreiner
Product Details
- Title: Studies in the Pauline Epistles: Essays in Honor of Douglas J. Moo
- Editors: Matthew S. Harmon and Jay E. Smith
- Publisher: Zondervan
- Publication Date: 2014
- Pages: 320
- Resource Type: Festschrifts
- Topic: Pauline Epistles
About the Editors
Matthew S. Harmon (PhD, Wheaton College) is professor of New Testament studies at Grace College and Theological Seminary in Winona Lake, Indiana. He was previously on staff with Cru for eight years and is the author of several books. Matthew and his wife, Kate, live in Warsaw, Indiana, and have two sons.
Jay E. Smith is Department Chair and Professor of New Testament Studies at Dallas Theological Seminary
Sample Pages from the Print Edition
Reviews
1 rating
Alessandro
4/18/2023
Everything in the "Pauline Scholarship and His Contemporary Significance" section is worth reading
