Channels, Fall 2016

Channels • 2016 • Volume 1 • Number 1 Page 25 summary of some of the essential NPP definitions, particularly Wright’s and Dunn’s, con- cerning key terms (points of dispute) such as “works of the law,” “the righteousness of God,” and “justification.” This summary will be followed by important counter-arguments against the NPP definitions. The second section provides three main arguments for Paul’s use of justification, keeping in mind primarily soteriological purposes. This demonstrates that a deeper understanding of the doctrine of justification requires a “both-and” approach instead of an “either-or” approach, which is sadly defended by those who perceive the Paul- ine doctrine only through the scope of ecclesiology. Points of Dispute Works of the Law Much debate revolves around the meaning of the term “works of the law” used by Paul when dealing with justification in his epistles. According to the majority of the NPP schol- ars, Luther was terribly wrong in interpreting such works as good, moral deeds intended to lead to salvation. 11 In contrast, they believe that “works of the law” is referring solely to Jewish regulations functioning as boundary markers responsible to make the Israelites dis- tinct from the other nations 12 . Therefore, this section will provide N.T. Wright’s and Dunn’s definition of this crucial term and will be followed by an analysis of their arguments. The two key passages containing the terminology “works of the law” or “deeds of the Law” are found in Galatians 2:16 and Romans 3:28. They say, “we know that a person is not justi- fied by works of the law but through faith in Jesus (Gal.2:16, Emphasis added) and “we hold that one is justified by faith apart from the works of the law (Rom. 3:28, Emphasis added). In Wright’s interpretation of Gal. 2:16, he claims that the context surrounding the verse is ethnical boundary laws, which once separated Jews and Gentiles. Now, these boundaries no longer have the power to do so. 13 Wright states, concerning the “works of the law”, “they are the ‘living like a Jew’ of Galatians 2:14, the separation from ‘Gentile sinners’ of Galatians 2:15. They are not, in other words, the moral ‘good works’ which the Reformation tradition loves to hate. They are the things that divide Jew from Gentile.” 14 In short, Wright affirms that the term “works of the Law” is only referring to Jewish ceremonial laws, such as cir- cumcision and dietary laws. In a more moderate fashion, Dunn argues that Paul is talking about the Torah as a whole, the Jewish Law. He defines “works of the Law” as “what the law required of Israel as God’s 11 N.T Wright, Justification: God’s Plan & Paul’s Vision, 112 ; Wright claims that Luther’s commentary on Gala- tians was “wonderful and deeply flawed.” Since the reformer imagined that the apostle was attacking the ex- actly same enemies as himself. In other words, Luther interprets “works of the law” as moral deeds that led to righteousness because the Roman Catholic Church of his time was promoting such notion. Thus, Wright ac- cuses Luther of bringing his own context to the text, instead of identifying Paul’s content and the author’s original intent when dealing with justification. 12 S. Brian Pounds, “Romans 4:1-8 as a Text Case for the New Perspective on Paul,” 221-222. 13 N. T. Wright, justification, 116. 14 N. T. Wright, justification, 117.