Damien the Leper Posted October 28, 2011 Posted October 28, 2011 I'm just now learning about this and plan to read Marcus Borg's book The First Paul (co-authored with John Dominic Crossan). For those who are more familiar with this newer field of study, what does it mean in light of Latter-day Saint thought concerning Paul? Has it changed anyone's line of thinking?
volgadon Posted October 28, 2011 Posted October 28, 2011 It certainly has changed my perspective on grace, works and covenant. "Paul and Palestinian Judaism" by EP Sanders is the work that truly inaugarated the New Perspectives school. James Dunn and NT Wright took it forward.
diglot Posted October 29, 2011 Posted October 29, 2011 The NPP is a wonderful area of research and can be quite enlightening. I recommend James Dunn's, The New Perspective on Paul.
Sargon Posted October 29, 2011 Posted October 29, 2011 I own and have read a little of Wright's "Justification". The New Perspective on Paul basically allows us to stop squabbling with Calvinists about the meaning of "works" and their relationship to grace, and understand Paul on his own terms. It isn't necessarily a "Mormon" view of salvation (which in itself is hard to pin down) but it is definitely closer.James
David T Posted October 29, 2011 Posted October 29, 2011 Blake Ostler's Exploring Mormon Thought volume 2: The Problem of Theism and the Love of God makes extensive use of the the New Perspectives on Paul.
Damien the Leper Posted October 29, 2011 Author Posted October 29, 2011 I decided to pick up Borg's Reading the Bible Again for the First Time: Taking the Bible Seriously But Not Literally. I have only read a couple pages but it seems to be a promising and fascinating book.I understand that Borg was in the same group initially as Sanders but also broke off and took a different direction.
Nevo Posted October 29, 2011 Posted October 29, 2011 I understand that Borg was in the same group initially as Sanders but also broke off and took a different direction.I don't think Borg has ever had anything to do with the New Perspective on Paul (or with Sanders). He made his name as a historical Jesus scholar with the book Conflict, Holiness, and Politics in the Teachings of Jesus (first published in 1984) and then gained prominence as one of the more visible members of the Jesus Seminar in the 1990s. He hasn't produced any serious scholarship in decades but he is a popular author and speaker (at least among Karen Armstrong-style liberal Christians). My aunt really liked his book The Heart of Christianity: Rediscovering a Life of Faith.My favorite "New Perspective" book is Terence L. Donaldson's Paul and the Gentiles: Remapping the Apostle's Convictional World.
Damien the Leper Posted November 3, 2011 Author Posted November 3, 2011 I don't think Borg has ever had anything to do with the New Perspective on Paul (or with Sanders). He made his name as a historical Jesus scholar with the book Conflict, Holiness, and Politics in the Teachings of Jesus (first published in 1984) and then gained prominence as one of the more visible members of the Jesus Seminar in the 1990s. He hasn't produced any serious scholarship in decades but he is a popular author and speaker (at least among Karen Armstrong-style liberal Christians). My aunt really liked his book The Heart of Christianity: Rediscovering a Life of Faith.My favorite "New Perspective" book is Terence L. Donaldson's Paul and the Gentiles: Remapping the Apostle's Convictional World.Borg co-authored The First Paul: Reclaiming the Radical Visionary Behind the Church's Conservative Icon with John Dominic Crossan.
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