I appreciate Sanders branching out from traditional thought on Paul even if I do not agree with all of his arguments. I agree that Paul's belief was one of participationist eschatology (Paul also believed the end was near): the only way to become one of the People of God was through faith in Christ ("dying to Christ") and the old covenant was no longer sufficient. I agree that Paul had a connection to Judaism but, I do not agree with Sanders keeping with the ideal that Paul was a Pharisee just because Paul says so (he doesn't provide support for this). I found his `covenantal nomism' interesting but, I would like to do some more research on the subject.
Sanders' does touch on Paul's break from the Jewish religion and his Hellenistic ideals which was helpful in the quest to understanding Paul.

This was THE book that kicked off the "New Perspective" on Paul. Actually the book is mostly about Judaism. Sander's primary point is that Judaism was NOT a legalistic works-for-salvation religion. His principal axe to grind is with Ferdinand Weber and Emil Schurer, both of whom put out books on Judaism in the early 1900s or so.



His treatment of Paul is scant but potent. He sees Paul arguing that ritual works of the law (circumcision and food laws) must not be foisted on Gentile Christians -and NOT arguing that salvation is by faith and not works.



In truth this book is really rather dry - and the average theology student will get more out of reading N.T. Wright or James D.G. Dunn, who discuss Sanders extensively, critiquing and fleshing out his positions.



But if you are a Pauline student you may simply want a copy on yout shelf!

This was THE book that kicked off the "New Perspective" on Paul. Actually the book is mostly about Judaism. Sander's primary point is that Judaism was NOT a legalistic works-for-salvation religion. His principal axe to grind is with Ferdinand Weber and Emil Schurer, both of whom put out books on Judaism in the early 1900s or so.

His treatment of Paul is scant but potent. He sees Paul arguing that ritual works of the law (circumcision and food laws) must not be foisted on Gentile Christians -and NOT arguing that salvation is by faith and not works.

In truth this book is really rather dry - and the average theology student will get more out of reading N.T. Wright or James D.G. Dunn, who discuss Sanders extensively, critiquing and fleshing out his positions.

But if you are a Pauline student you may simply want a copy on yout shelf!