Paul’s Jewish Prophetic Critique of Jews in Romans
The article examines Paul’s critique of Jews in Romans, focusing on Romans 1–3. It adopts an approach of reading Paul within Judaism while differing from some interpreters representative of this approach by arguing that Paul is critiquing his fellow Jews and that his critique is relevant to his gent...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Religions |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/16/1/9 |
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| author | Lionel J. Windsor |
| author_facet | Lionel J. Windsor |
| author_sort | Lionel J. Windsor |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The article examines Paul’s critique of Jews in Romans, focusing on Romans 1–3. It adopts an approach of reading Paul within Judaism while differing from some interpreters representative of this approach by arguing that Paul is critiquing his fellow Jews and that his critique is relevant to his gentile audience. It argues against the traditional Protestant problematization of “works righteousness”, Sanders’ claim that Paul reasons from solution to plight, and the New Perspective’s problematization of ethnic distinctiveness. Paul’s critique is grounded in Jewish intramural prophetic critique and restoration eschatology, over against Torah-wisdom traditions. Consistent with this perspective, Paul’s fundamental criticism of Jews and Israel is their failure to keep the divine Torah. Central to Paul’s argument is the interplay between Jewish particularity and the universal scope of Paul’s gospel. Israel’s failure is an intermediate but not an ultimate divine purpose. Jewish distinctiveness and Torah reveal the seriousness of sin and affirm the justice of God’s wrath. Thus, Paul’s prophetic critique also implies a prophetic hope for Israel, intertwined with his critique of and hope for all humanity, whom he views as sinners standing under God’s judgment and needing salvation through faith in the Davidic messiah, Jesus. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-cdbbbb2527314ea1b1bdf7edd8499e2d |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2077-1444 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Religions |
| spelling | doaj-art-cdbbbb2527314ea1b1bdf7edd8499e2d2025-01-24T13:47:13ZengMDPI AGReligions2077-14442024-12-01161910.3390/rel16010009Paul’s Jewish Prophetic Critique of Jews in RomansLionel J. Windsor0New Testament Department, Moore Theological College, Sydney 2042, AustraliaThe article examines Paul’s critique of Jews in Romans, focusing on Romans 1–3. It adopts an approach of reading Paul within Judaism while differing from some interpreters representative of this approach by arguing that Paul is critiquing his fellow Jews and that his critique is relevant to his gentile audience. It argues against the traditional Protestant problematization of “works righteousness”, Sanders’ claim that Paul reasons from solution to plight, and the New Perspective’s problematization of ethnic distinctiveness. Paul’s critique is grounded in Jewish intramural prophetic critique and restoration eschatology, over against Torah-wisdom traditions. Consistent with this perspective, Paul’s fundamental criticism of Jews and Israel is their failure to keep the divine Torah. Central to Paul’s argument is the interplay between Jewish particularity and the universal scope of Paul’s gospel. Israel’s failure is an intermediate but not an ultimate divine purpose. Jewish distinctiveness and Torah reveal the seriousness of sin and affirm the justice of God’s wrath. Thus, Paul’s prophetic critique also implies a prophetic hope for Israel, intertwined with his critique of and hope for all humanity, whom he views as sinners standing under God’s judgment and needing salvation through faith in the Davidic messiah, Jesus.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/16/1/9IsraelJudaismNew Perspective on PaulPaul and the lawPaul within JudaismPauline theology |
| spellingShingle | Lionel J. Windsor Paul’s Jewish Prophetic Critique of Jews in Romans Religions Israel Judaism New Perspective on Paul Paul and the law Paul within Judaism Pauline theology |
| title | Paul’s Jewish Prophetic Critique of Jews in Romans |
| title_full | Paul’s Jewish Prophetic Critique of Jews in Romans |
| title_fullStr | Paul’s Jewish Prophetic Critique of Jews in Romans |
| title_full_unstemmed | Paul’s Jewish Prophetic Critique of Jews in Romans |
| title_short | Paul’s Jewish Prophetic Critique of Jews in Romans |
| title_sort | paul s jewish prophetic critique of jews in romans |
| topic | Israel Judaism New Perspective on Paul Paul and the law Paul within Judaism Pauline theology |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/16/1/9 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT lioneljwindsor paulsjewishpropheticcritiqueofjewsinromans |