Divine and Human Agency in Paul and His Cultural Environment

by John M.G. Barclay (Editor), Simon J. Gathercole (Editor)

Since the work of E.P. Sanders, most modern approaches to this topic have been focused on social or sociological aspects of the issue (particularly in relation to Paul's mission to the Gentiles), but the last few years have seen an increasing willingness to open up questions seemingly 'settled' in the New Perspective, and a renewed desire to examine the structures of theology concerning grace and human action both in Paul and in his contemporary Judaism. It seems now worthwhile to examine to what extent there was an internal debate within Judaism about divine grace and its relation to human agency, and whether this debate could or did spawn various more or less radical solutions.

The aim of this volume is to re-examine Paul within contemporary Jewish debate on this topic, attuned to the significant theological issues he raises without imposing upon him the frameworks developed in later Christian thought.

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 16, 2007

About the author

John Barclay has been Lightfoot Professor of Divinity at Durham University since 2003. He has served as President of the British New Testament Society, TRS-UK,the umbrella organisation for Subject Associations and Departments of Theology and Religious Studies in the UK), and shortly, the Studiorum Novi Testamenti Societas.

His research is in the history and thought of early Christianity and early Judaism, with special interest in the ancient Jewish Diaspora and in the letters and theology of Paul. Using tools from the social sciences, he has explored the social formation of early Christianity, the ‘postcolonial’ identity of the Jewish historian Josephus, and the practice and theology of gift (‘grace’) in the work of Paul.

Reviews

[Nyameye Otoo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was this a good read? It was definitely a dense read, an informative read; fun? Maybe for a particular type of person. It certainly was a good read though, albeit dry and academic at most points (which it never claimed not to be - I mean, the title is literally just a description of the essays contained). Beyond any doubt extremely high quality and excellently researched! Very helpful to me personally in thinking through these big questions.

What did Paul (as one of the biggest contributers to the New Testament) have in common in with Judaism in and around his time? Which juadism (Qumran/Essene Sectarian? proto-/Rabbinic? Hellenistic/Philo[nic]?) Do these thoughtworlds even all share something in common, or are they in conflict in regards to how human and divine agency relate? What about the contemporary philosophies, how does Paul the Christian's view line up, if at all with a Stoics (Epictetus)? This volume explores such questions and more with the aim of sharpening and nuancing Paul's - and therefore the Christian tradition's - view by comparing and contrasting with the above in often surprising ways.

Like I said, it's what it says on the tin, a collection of essays talking about how much activity and ability is ascribed to various agents in the writings of the Paul's cultural contemporaries and Paul himself (in roughly that order / weighting). Comparisons, contrasts, and conclusions which are really helpfully are made throughout, and there is interaction (even if minimal) between the essayists - it's very technical, and you'll likely struggle a little if you don't know Greek (and Hebrew), both of which I don't!

Nevertheless, the arguments are certainly traceable, and the introduction and epilogues are phenomenal. Basically if you're not particularly satisfied with "simple" dichotomies about "Divine vs (in opposition to) Human Agency", "Monergism vs Synergism", or even want to gain an understanding of how these things developed (and not only in Christian thinking), this collection will definitely be profitable!

In terms of commenting on what it's missing? I'm not sure I'm competent or credentialed enough to comment on that 😂 definitely a book I'll need to pick over again slowly and think about, because some definitely went over my head - again this is a technical read - consider yourself warned! Although I will say, it's very costly (in my opinion) for such a small volume, at £36.99 (I wouldn't have purchased if it wasn't for vouchers!)

[John Pawlik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short collections of essays on Paul from a variety of great writers: Barclay, Martyn, Gathercole, Watson.

The final short essay on Paul’s meta-ethics was particularly good! Introduced some good questions for going forward.