Paul the Jewish Theologian: A Pharisee among Christians, Jews, and Gentiles

by Brad H. Young

Publisher:

Baker Academic

, 2012

Overview

Paul the Jewish Theologian reveals Saul of Tarsus as a man who, though rejected in the synagogue, never truly left Judaism. Author Brad Young disagrees with long-held notions that Hellenism was the context which most influenced Paul’s communication of the gospel. This skewed notion has led to widely divergent interpretations of Paul’s writings. A correct interpretation of Paul can only be achieved by rightly aligning Paul as rooted in his Jewishness and training as a Pharisee. Young asserts that Paul’s view of the Torah was always positive, and he separates Jesus’ mission among the Jews from Paul’s call to the Gentiles.

The Logos Bible Software edition of this volume is designed to encourage and stimulate your study and understanding of Scripture. Biblical passages link directly to your English translations and original-language texts, and important theological concepts link to dictionaries, encyclopedias, and a wealth of other resources in your digital library. In addition, you can perform powerful searches by topic and find what other authors, scholars, and theologians have to say about the Word of God.

Key Features

• Examines Paul’s life and teachings through a cultural and historical context
• Discusses Paul’s relationship with Judaism and Hellenism
• Debates what Paul was really like as a human

Contents

• Paul the Jewish Theologian
• Pentecost, the Nations of the World, and the Apostle Paul
• Judaism and Christianity: Diverse Perspectives on Torah
• The Torah: Roots of Grace and Faith in Paul’s Message
• Torah: The Dead Letter or the Living Word?
• The Transcendence of Torah in Paul’s Teachings
• Love as the Foundation of Christian Ministry: The Model of 1 Corinthians 13
• The Essence of Paul’s Jewish Faith
• Seven Pillars of Paul’s Jewish Theology

Top Highlights

“The resurrection of Jesus liberates the believer from the power of sin in the flesh in order to live a life of righteousness in obedience to God. The Gentile must not pretend to be Jewish by keeping all the ceremonial laws in Torah. The Jewish believer must not behave like a Gentile, disregarding his or her rich heritage.” (Page 137)

“Often Rom 10:4 has been translated improperly, ‘For Christ is the end of the law …’ The Greek word telos, which is translated as ‘end’ in this verse, is better understood in its wider meaning, ‘goal’ or ‘purpose.’²⁶ Paul viewed the coming of the Messiah as the climax of salvation history. When the New International Version, New American Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, and King James Version translate the Greek word telos with ‘end,’ the result is devastating.” (Page 31)

“Not Torah, but the individual’s response to the divine revelation in God’s law, is the problem. Torah reveals the sinfulness of humankind. But each person is free to respond negatively or positively to the message of Torah. It is the individual’s response that determines whether Torah is the ‘law of sin and death’ or the ‘Spirit of life in Christ Jesus’ (Rom 8:2).” (Page 92)

“What Paul is trying to say is that a person dies to his or her evil inclination, in order that he or she may become a servant of God alone. The sinful flesh dies so that the person may become a servant of righteousness (see Rom 6). Hence the individual is free to live a life pleasing to God.” (Page 90)

“ focuses upon Jesus at the center as revealed in Torah and reaches out for a life of righteousness as its aim” (Page 92)

Praise for the Print Edition

The Pharisee Saul of Tarsus is arguably one of the most influential religious figures in the history of Western culture. . . . Brad Young is one of the important theologians who is leading the way for Christians to explore the Jewish roots of Jesus, Paul, and Christianity. . . . Brad Young has endeavored to excavate Paul’s Pharisaic roots for all to examine, while at the same time leaving the family tree firmly planted and continuing to grow.

—Rabbi Burton Visotzky, Appleman Chair of Midrash and Interreligious Studies, Jewish Theological Seminary, New York

Brad Young offers an extremely well-informed, insightful study of Paul as a Jewish theologian. . . . Among the many important qualities Brad Young gained from his years of study from Jewish scholars is a love for and an almost exclusive focus upon the text, what it actually says and does not say; and this perspective has led him to some new, important, and sometimes ‘unorthodox’ conclusions.

—Cheryl Anne Brown, consultant, Theological Assistance Group, European Baptist Federation

Product Details

• Title: Paul the Jewish Theologian: A Pharisee among Christians, Jews, and Gentiles
• Author: Brad H. Young
• Publisher: Baker Academic
• Publication Date: 1995
• Pages: 192

About Brad H. Young

Bradford Humes Young, also known as Brad Young is a Professor of Biblical Literature in Judeao Christian Studies at the Graduate Department of Oral Roberts University. He is also founder and President of the Gospel Research Foundation, Inc. After receiving his B.A. from ORU, Dr. Young departed Tulsa for Israel. At the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, he pursued graduate studies in early Christianity and ancient Judaism.