Episode 19: Liberating Paul's Gospel with Jon DePue

It Means What It Means

In this conversation, Jon DePue discusses the main themes of his book Beyond Justification: Liberating Paul’s Gospel with Jared. They explore the concept of Paul's gospel as a gospel of life and liberation, moving beyond the traditional understanding of justification. They discuss the cosmic scope of Paul's gospel and the importance of the afterlife in Paul's thinking. They also delve into the alternative gospel proposed by justification theorists and the significance of Jewish practices in Paul's theology. In this conversation, Jon and Jared discuss the overcorrection in Second Temple Judaism studies and the need for a theological perspective. They highlight the pre-Sanders scholars who were already challenging traditional interpretations of Paul. They also address the resistance to covenantal nomism and the failure of some theologians to find a different path. The seriousness of describing Judaism in a negative light is emphasized, along with the implication of Christianity in historical atrocities against Jews. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the dialogues in Romans and recommended resources on Paul and Second Temple Judaism. Books referenced in the conversation include Deliverance of God, A Jewish Paul, The Fall of Númenor, Silence, and his forthcoming book with Wipf and Stock Publishers.

Takeaways

Paul's gospel is a gospel of life and liberation, going beyond the traditional understanding of justification.

The cosmic scope of Paul's gospel includes the redemption of the entire cosmos, not just individual moral actors.

The afterlife is important in Paul's thinking, but he is more concerned with the present reality of the new age and the ethical implications of the gospel.

The alternative gospel proposed by justification theorists focuses on individual moral actors and their salvation through faith in Christ, often disregarding Jewish practices and traditions. There was an overcorrection in Pauline studies that needed to be addressed.

Pre-Sanders scholars were already challenging traditional interpretations of Paul.

Some theologians failed to find a different path and resisted the idea of covenantal nomism.

Describing Judaism in a negative light is a serious issue that needs to be addressed.

Christianity is implicated in historical atrocities against Jews and needs to be reckoned with.

The dialogues in Romans provide insight into Paul's response to certain problem people.

There are recommended resources available for a better understanding of Paul and Second Temple Judaism.