Journal: Masters Seminary Journal
Volume: TMSJ 16:2 (Fall 2005)
Article: The New Perspective’s View Of Paul And The Law
Author: Jack Hughes

TMSJ 16:2 (Fall 2005) p. 261

The New Perspective’s View Of Paul And The Law

Jack Hughes a

Scholars have not reached a consensus concerning Paul’s view of the law. Disagreement prevails even among those who believe in verbal plenary inspiration. Paul’s frequent references to the law come in many different contexts. Interpreting each reference accurately within its own context and synthesizing the interpretations into a systematic whole are difficult challenges. The New Perspective [NP]on Paul has amplified the existing problem. Founders of the NP take a historical, higher- critical, covenantal approach to interpreting Paul. Their low view of Scripture and their high view of extra-biblical literature have produced an entirely new way of understanding Paul’s view of the law and have led many to redefine key theological terms related to both law and gospel. The NP on Paul leads those who subscribe to it outside the limits of orthodox theology.

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Introduction

Macedonian legend tells of a poor man named Midas who lived during a time of universal unrest. One day Midas entered town with his ox-cart, weary and despondent over the future that lay ahead of him. Little did he know but on that very day the Phrygian elders had called a council to discuss an ancient oracle that told of a man pulling an ox-cart who would bring peace and prosperity to their people. The council spotted Midas and appointed him king.

Thankful for his good fortune, Midas erected a shrine and dedicated it to Zeus. The shrine contained his wagon, hitched to a pole. On the pole hung a large knot with hundreds of tightly interwoven strands of rope made from bark. No ends

TMSJ 16:2 (Fall 2005) p. 262

were exposed. After many months the bark hardened and eventually the knot was moved to the nearby town of Gordium, which was ruled by Gordius, Midas’ father. Eventually, an oracle prophesied that whoever loosed the Gordian knot would become lord and ruler of all Asia. Many attempted to unravel the knot, but failed. In fact, visiting Gordium without attempting to loosen the knot was considered bad luck.

Eventually the son of Philip II, King of Macedonia visited Gordium. He was a young military man facing the conquest of Persia. Not wanting to have bad luck, the young man went to the shrine of Zeus and for two hours tried to undo the Gordian knot while the people of the city watched. Finally, in a fit of frustration he pulled out his sword and slashed at the knot, exposing its hidden ends which allowed him to unravel it. The young man went forth to conquer the known world. His name was Alexander the Great.

This story illustrates the difficulty ...