Journal: Southern Baptist Journal of Theology
Volume: SBJT 18:2 (Summer 2014)
Article: Book Reviews
Author: Anonymous

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SBTJ 18:2 (Summer 2014) p. 131

Book Reviews

Paul and the Faithfulness of God: Christian Origins and the Question of God. By N. T. Wright. 2 vols. Minneapolis: Fortress, 2013. Xv + 1,696 pp., $89.00 paper.

N. T. Wright continues to be amazingly productive. In this two volume work on Paul, Wright, resumes his multi-volume work on “Christian Origins and the Question of God.” The book is divided into four parts. Wright begins by exploring the religious, social, political, and cultural world in which Paul lived (chapters 1-5). He then investigates the worldview of Paul, focusing on symbol and praxis (chapters 6-8). The third part zeroes in on Paul’s theology under the themes of monotheism, election, and eschatology (chapters 9-11). Finally, he considers how Paul’s theology interfaces with both the Greco-Roman and Jewish world of his day (chapters 12-15). The last chapter discusses Paul’s aims and intentions (chapter 16).

Another angle on the plan of the book helps us to see what Wright is trying to accomplish. Paul’s worldview (chapters 6-8) precedes the explication of his theology (chapters 9-11), since Wright believes that Paul’s theology flowed from his worldview. In addition, chapters 12-15 return to the discussion of the historical, cultural, social, and religious world discussed in chapters 2-5. In these final chapters, Wright unpacks how Paul’s theology relates to its first century context. Wright’s work is grounded in history. He has no patience for those who attempt to do Pauline theology apart from the historical context of the day, and in this he is exactly right.

A short review cannot do justice to Wright’s contribution, and I will pick up on a few items of interest. The book is launched with a fascinating discussion of Philemon, comparing Paul’s perspective on the runaway Onesimus with Pliny’s response to the runaway slave of Sabinianus. What is particularly striking is how Paul’s response differs from Pliny’s, and we are introduced to Paul’s theology as he encounters a practical situation in everyday life. One cannot read this chapter without being struck anew with Wright’s creativity and genius. In some ways the whole of the book is in this first chapter, for we see, according to Wright, how Paul’s theology explains and sustains his worldview. The symbolic praxis at the heart of Paul’s worldview was the unity of

SBTJ 18:2 (Summer 2014) p. 132

the people of God, and hence Paul exhorted Philemon to be reconciled to Onesimus, for they were brothers in the same family.

What were the symbols and praxis in Paul’s world? The Jews focused on Temple, Torah, land, family, zeal, prayer, and scripture. The boundary markers of Sabbath, circumcision, and food laws separated them...

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