Customer Reviews

Paul, the Law, and the Jewish People

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Sanders eloquently describes 1st century Judaism and the relationship of the Jewish people to the Law of Moses. He explains the meaning of covenant without the usual Christian revisionism. The Jews work to fulfill the law Not to be saved, (a Christian idea), but rather because they are already beneficiaries of the covenant. Paul's problem with the Judaism of his past is not because of anything necessarily wrong with it, but simply because it is not "Christianity". A ready reference for biblical scholars and informed amateurs, this text is not an easy read, but well worth the effort.

E.P.Sanders started a new look into Paul. It is a hard read, but worth it. E.P. Sanders is cited so often in other works that you really should read him yourself! E.P. Sanders doesn't claim to know all of the answers and he gives plenty of other viewpoints than his own. Read this along with N.T Wright, but watch out for subtle supersessionism.

This book is a very informative and a delightful read, however, I did not give it five stars because of the difficulty of reading the foot notes (which are numerous) throughout the chapters. It would be an easier read and more benifical if the footnotes were linked and you could read them as you go through the text rather than at the end of the chapter. The lack of the 'link' between the reading and the end of the chapter is very frustrating.