Joseph B. Tyson on ‘Works of law’ in Galatians

Rob Bradshaw has posted a classic article by Tyson on ‘Works of Law’ in Galatians here.

Joseph B. Tyson, “‘Works of Law in Galatians.” Journal of Biblical Literature. 92:3 (1973): 423-431.

Tom Wright & James Dunn The New Perspective on Paul

Michael Bird drew my attention to a video on Youtube that features N.T. Wright and James D.G. Dunn discussing the NPP. Wright’s thoughts have particular relevance for readers of Galatians as he discusses the Qumran document 4QMMT. This is of interest because of its relationship to our understanding of “works of the law” in Galatians. Wright concludes that circumcision is not a debate over moralism in the same sense as “do not commit adultery” and encourages us to read Paul historically so we will come to a new understanding. His two articles on the subject are available online as you can see below.

Not surprisingly 4QMMT has been discussed at length by those comparing its thought on the works of the law with the expression in Paul.

Abegg, Martin G., Jr. “4QMMT, Paul and ‘Works of the Law.’” In The Bible at Qumran: Text, Shape, and Interpretation. Edited by Peter W. Flint. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2001. 203-216.

Bachmann, Michael. “4QMMT und Galaterbrief, מעשׂי התורה und ΕΡΓΑ ΝΟΜΟΥ.” Zeitschrift für die neutestamentliche Wissenschaft und die Kunde der älteren Kirche. 89:1-2 (1998): 91-113.

Dunn, James D.G. “4QMMT and Galatians.” New Testament Studies. 43:1 (1997): 147-153.

Dunn, James D.G. “4QMMT and Galatians.” In The New Perspective on Paul: Collected Essays. Tűbingen: Mohr Siebeck, 2005. 333-340?. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2007. 339-346.

Kampen, John and Bernstein Moshe J., eds. Reading 4QMMT: New Perspectives on Qumran Law and Theology. Atlanta: Scholars Press, 1996.

Wright, N.T. “4QMMT and Paul: Justification, ‘Works,’ and Eschatology.” In History and Exegesis: New Testament Essays in Honor of Dr E. Earle Ellis for His 80th Birthday. Edited by Aang-Won (Aaron) Son. New York and London: T&T Clark 2006. 104-132.

http://www.ntwrightpage.com/Wright_4QMMT_Paul.pdf

Wright, N.T. “Paul and Qumran” 14:5 Bible Review. (1998): 18, 54.

http://www.ntwrightpage.com/Wright_BR_Paul_Qumran.htm

You may also want to check out Francis Watson’s paper “Constructing an Antithesis: Pauline and
other Perspectives on Divine and Human Agency” for the Colloquium on Divine and Human Agency in Paul and Early Judaism, Aberdeen, August 2004.

There are also a few other 4QMMT articles over on the Paul Page.

“Works of the Law” in Galatians 3:10

Brian LePort over at near emmaus has asked for some bibliographic material on Galatians 3:10 and the “works of the law.” With the realisation that I may be using a firehouse to put out a marshmallow roast I have put together a “few” resources that I think he needs to have a look at when addressing this issue. Happy reading Brian!

Bonneau, Normand. “The Logic of Paul’s Argument on the Curse of the Law in Galatians 3:10-14.” Novum Testamentum. 39:1 (1997): 60-80.

Braswell, Joseph P. “‘The Blessing of Abraham’ Versus ‘The Curse of the Law’: Another Look at Gal 3:10-13.” Westminster Theological Journal. 53:1 (1991): 73-91.

Catchpole, David. “Galatians 3:10-13: Crucifixian Curse and Resurrection Freedom.” In, Interpreting the New Testament Text: Introduction to the Art and Science of Exegesis. Edited by Darrell L. Bock and Buist M. Fanning. Wheaton: Crossway Books, 2006. 377-385.

Cranford, Michael. “The Possibility of Perfect Obedience: Paul and an Implied Premise in Galatians 3:10 and 5:3.” Novum Testamentum. 36:3 (1994): 242-258.

Dunn, James D.G. “Works of the Law and the Curse of the Law (Galatians 3.10-14).” New Testament Studies. 31:4 (1985): 523-542.

Dunn, James D.G. “Works of the Law and the Curse of the Law (Galatians 3.10-14).” In, The New Perspective on Paul: Collected Essays. Tűbingen: Mohr Siebeck, 2005. 111-130?.

Garlington, Don. “Role Reversal and Paul’s Use of Scripture in Galatians 3.10-13.” Journal for the Study of the New Testament. 65 (1997): 85-121.

Grindheim, Sigurd. “Apostate Turned Prophet: Paul’s Prophetic Self-Understanding and Prophetic Hermeneutic with Special Reference to Galatians 3.10-12.” New Testament Studies. 53:4 (2007): 545-565.

Hong, In-Gyu. “Does Paul Misrepresent the Jewish Law? Law and Covenant in Gal. 3:1-14.” Novum Testamentum. 36:2 (1994): 164-182.

Lambrecht, Jan. “Curse and Blessing A Study of Galatians 3,10-14.” In, Pauline Studies: Collected Essays. Leuven: Leuven University Press, 1994. 271-298.

Schreiner, Thomas R. “Is Perfect Obedience to the Law Possible? A Re-Examination of Galatians 3:10.” Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society. 27:2 (1984): 151-160.

Scott, James M. “’For as Many as Are of Works of the Law Are Under a Curse’ (Galatians 3.10).” In, Paul and the Scriptures of Israel. Edited by James A. Sanders and Craig A. Evans. (JSNTSS, 83; Studies in Scripture in Early Judaism and Christianity; 1). Sheffield: JSOT Press, 1992. 187-221.

Silva, Moisés. “Abraham, Faith, and Works: Paul’s Use of Scripture in Galatians 3:6-14.” Westminster Theological Journal. 63:2 (2001): 251-267.

Smiles, Vincent M. “The Blessing of Israel and ‘the Curse of the Law’: A Study of Galatians 3:10-14.” Studies in Christian-Jewish Relations. 3:1 (2008): 1-17.

Stanley. Christopher D. “‘Under a Curse’: A Fresh Reading of Galatians 3:10-14.” New Testament Studies 36:4 (1990): 481-511.

Waters, Guy. The End of Deuteronomy in the Epistles of Paul. (Wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zum Neuen Testament. 2. Reihe 221), Tübingen, Mohr Siebeck, 2006.

Wright, N. T. “Chapter Seven: Curse and Covenant: Galatians 3.10-14.” In, The Climax to the Covenant: Christ and the Law in Pauline Theology. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1991. 137-156.

Young, Norman H. “Who’s Cursed – and Why? (Galatians 3:10-14).” Journal of Biblical Literature. 117:1 (1998): 79-92.

And last but not least some general articles on Paul and works of the law:

Dunn, James D.G. “Yet Once More—‘The Works of the Law’: A Response.” Journal for the Study of the New Testament. 46 (1992): 99-117.

Evans, Craig A. “Paul and ‘Works of the Law’ Language in Late Antiquity.” In, Paul and His Opponents. Pauline Studies; 2. Edited by Stanley E. Porter. Leiden: Brill, 2005. 201-226.

Moo, Douglas J. “Law, ‘Works of the Law’, and Legalism in Paul.” Westminster Journal of Theology. 45 (1983): 73-100.

Schreiner, Thomas R. “‘Works of Law’ in Paul.” Novum Testamentum. 33:3 (1991): 217-244.

Silva, Moisés. “Law in the New Testament: Dunn’s New Synthesis.” Westminster Theological Journal. 53 (1991): 339-353.

Jason Meyer on Galatians 3:10

Jason Meyer began a four part series today discussing “Galatians 3:10 and the ‘Works of the Law’ (ex ergōn nomou).” He introduces it as a slightly revised version of a discussion in his forthcoming book: The End of the Law: Mosaic Covenant in Pauline Theology. Nashville: B & H Academic, 2009. 080544842X, 9780805448429.

The first post is concerned with the meaning of “from the works of the law” (ex ergōn nomou eisin). He argues that it should be taken in a purely descriptive way; i.e. as “works demanded by the law.” In this he positions himself within the stream of Douglas Moo and Moises Silva. I will be interested to see where he takes this series in the next three sections.

June 5 The second post looks at the inferences of his conclusion about the interpretation “works demanded by the law.” According to this conclusion 3:10 should be translated as “for as many as are ‘of the works commanded by the law’ are under a curse.” The natural question is “why does a curse come to those who are of the works of the law?” This post looks at some of the ways in which scholars have dealt with the logic of 3:10. He promises that the next post will look at how to asses the various answers to the logic of 3:10.

June 7 Meyer’s third post claims that “Neither the traditional nor the redemptive-historical view goes far enough in its analysis of the law. The problem with the Law is three-fold: (1) anthropology, (2) ontology, and (3) chronology.” He then looks at the first two of these issues. He concludes with charting the law/flesh and faith/spirit contrast, concluding, “The joining of the Law and flesh highlights the two problems we have been discussing. The Law (though good and spiritual) does not have the power (ontological problem) to overcome the flesh (anthropological problem).”

June 8 Meyer completed his series on Galatians 3:10 today by discussing whether or not Paul implied that the Law requires perfect obedience. Not surprisingly, Meyer disagrees with Sanders and others of the NPP persuasion. He ends by hoping that this discussion will continue in the blogosphere.

Meyer seems to be solidly Baptist; currently assistant professor of Religion (New Testament and Greek) at Louisiana College in Pineville, Louisiana and holding degrees from Oklahoma Wesleyan University (BS) and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (MDiv, PhD). His PhD was earned under Tom Schreiner and his dissertation is being published later this year as the book mentioned above.