Pryor: Romans Part 2 of 20

Summary: (details)

Provides a summary of historical views on Paul and his theology. Pre 20th century summarized as: 1) Paul's center of thought is a polemic against the Law, 2) the Law had no real practical meeting to him, and 3) ancient Jewish literature was not a useful source for explaining Paul. Scholars focused on two questions:

1. Was Paul Jewish or Greek in thought?
   
2. What is the heart of Paul's theology?
   

In the 1970's, E.P. Saunders started a revolution in Pauline theology with his concept of "covenantal nomism". "Briefly put, covenantal nomism is the view that one's place in God's plan is established on the basis of the covenant, and that the covenant requires as the proper response of man his obedience to its commands, while providing a means for trangressions." His work showed that Judaism in the 1st century was NOT a religion of "works rightousness" where
one had to earn ones salvation. Virtually all scholars see Paul as Jewish; the question now is "what is the center of his theology?" Pryor highlights his key descriptions of Paul:

1. He is a zealous Pharisee more closely aligned to Shammai than Hillel.
   
2. Paul affirmed monotheism and was deeply influenced by his eschatological (end times) views.
   
3. Paul was primarily concerned with "halakah", how to walk in a way that was right with God.
   
4. His "calling" is not so much a conversion, but a being "set apart", akin to Jeremiah and Isaiah. It's better to view Paul in the role of a prophet, both to the Jews and Gentiles. His critique of Israel is from within it.

Thoughts:
Mostly, I just have questions. I'm trying to picture Paul and it isn't easy. Who was he? What was his main teaching point? He calls himself a Pharisee in Phillipians. How does that jive with my Gospel view of Pharisees? Who is he arguing with and why? Paul is weaving themes that run throughout the entire Text, am I following them? Seeing Paul as a prophet is new for me. Danielle described his discussions with Jews as a "family argument". You can say things to family members that you don't say to strangers because you know in the end you're still family. I'm still pondering halakah and how to walk. I'm reminded of John, "But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did," 1 John 2:5,6.