The judaistic New Testament scholars such as E. P. Sanders, James Dunn, and N. T. Wright have re-presented the controversy of soteriology that occurred at the Galatian church in the first century. The judaism of the first century was covenantal nomism...
The judaistic New Testament scholars such as E. P. Sanders, James Dunn, and N. T. Wright have re-presented the controversy of soteriology that occurred at the Galatian church in the first century. The judaism of the first century was covenantal nomism. The Jews lived by means of it in the covenant with God, went into the path of the salvation. The scholars of New perspective argue the first century judaism has nothing to do with the Pauline controversy of justification denouncing the works of the law. They suggest a suspicion on the reformational soteriology, arguing that it is not right for Paul to make a distinction between imputation of righteousness and effective jusitification. The writer s point is that Paul interpretation of the New perspective is the Judaistic Christian one in a modern version and semi-pelagian. Sanders has suggested a covenantal nomism as a reinterpretation of the judaism. This is a judaistic Christian perspective in a modern version. Dunn has reinterpreted the law, the behavior of law and the righteousness of God, by making a sociological approach. Wright has reinterpreted the righteousness of God and faith, by making an ecclesiological approach. These scholars of the New perspective on Paul altogether have viewed in the context of covenantal nomism the doctrine of justification and the soteriology are not the subject of the Pauline Gospel but a subtitle. The truth of the Gospel that gives salvation and justification by believing in Jesus Christ becomes a subtitle in the context of covenantal nomism of the understanding of judaistic norm and covenant observance. So, the character of legalistic condemnation and judgement which will judge us in the eschatological day shall be falling away. The core of Pauline message is the soteriological subject. Therefore, the doctrine of the justification does not teach the law observance but the imputation of Christ s righteousness. Covenantal nomism Sander s suggests remains a nomism of behavior-salvation. The doctrine of the justification gave birth to the pagan mission. Dunn disregards the righteousness of God s just judgement. Dunn makes the justice of judgement and justice falling away, disregarding the universality of sin. Wright distorts the concept of God s people and covenant. He disregards the new covenant of cross redemption, disregarding the spiritual Israel, which was the new people of God. He is dominated by judaistic covenant. The Gospel of justification is the corner stone of the Christian church. 1. The doctrine of the justification and the one of the sanctification should not be confused. 2. The total depravity of humans, the judgement of God, the forgiveness of sins should be preached. 3. Law can not be the covenant giving the salvation. 4. The seriousness of the eschatological judgement should be kept.