Book notice: Paul and the Hermeneutics of Faith
My thanks to the kind folk at T&T Clark for a review copy of Francis Watson's, Paul and the Hermeneutics of Faith (T&T Clark, 2004).
Given my new teaching responsibilities, it has slowly become clear that I don't have the time to write as many proper book reviews as previously. Instead, I wanted to write a few 'book notices'. Besides, you can find coherence summaries of Watson's work in numerous reviews (cf. e.g. here for Mark Gignilliat), so I instead wanted to simply offer a few thoughts on why the book has impressed me.
I have postponed a review of Watson's book simply as it is one of the best books in the Apostle Paul part of my library. It is one of those few books that has challenged me to rethink my stance on fundamental matters, such as the much debated meaning of dikaiosu,nh qeou/ in Romans 1:17, the way Paul uses scripture and how this relates to the 'Christ-event', the plausibility of the so-called apocalyptic paradigm for understanding the Apostle etc (I will never forget his argument which runs that for Paul 'it is more important that scripture should shed a light on Christ than that Christ should shed light on Scripture' [16]! Not sure I would agree, but his point has buried under my theological skin forever). Apart from that, reading Watson is simply a delight. You know that you will learn a lot, and his close reading of the texts is a lesson in and of itself. I turn to the work of Watson when I want to digest serious scholarship, when a want my mind stretched and my flaky 'New Perspective' biases challenged! What is more, if anyone wants to engage with his more recent work, Paul, Judaism, and the Gentiles: Beyond the New Perspective (Cambridge: Eerdmans, 2007), bear these words in mind (from the preface of the Eerdmans volume): 'this volume conserve to complement the argument of my Paul and the Hermeneutics of Faith'.
Of course, if anybody is seeking to understand 'Paul's doctrine of righteousness by faith', one will need to engage with Watson's argument that claims it 'is an exercise in scriptural interpretation and hermeneutics' (76). And more broadly, if anybody wants to understand Paul's use of the Old Testament, this book is going to be essential. But because of the scope of Watson's argument, and the number of texts with which he engages, Paul and the Hermeneutics of Faith is a book worth having in your library for all matter of issues. As I said, it is one of the best books in my Apostle Paul library. This tome will take a while to work through properly, but he is a scholar with whom time is well, and enjoyably, spent.
Labels: Book Review
posted by Chris Tilling @ 12:39 AM
6 comments
6 Comments:
No one seems to be interested in you "Book notice", Mr. Tillinch. How sad!
Thanks for the notice Chris. I like the sound of Watson's belief that, "it is more important that scripture should shed a light on Christ than that Christ should shed light on Scripture". I am assuming he is referring to the historical maybe prophetic aspects of Christ and scripture and not the theological or hermeneutical? One of the things that Fee taught me was to make sure we understand that the OT texts that shed light on Jesus as Christ first had meaning their historical context. I also think Wright might agree with this. I believe the tendency has been (especially in Evangelical circles) to disregard the historical/ contextual aspect of OT Messiah texts and in doing so we lose much of their beauty and meaning!
What is the trouble you have with the quote?
Hi Mark, my problem is that it may be sometimes "more important that scripture should shed a light on Christ than that Christ should shed light on Scripture". Though I doubt this is always the case. There is more back and forth on this point, I suspect. What think you?
I agree with you there is more back and forth and one could easily argue this point with someone and conduct two completely different conversations (of meanings)!
My concern is that we don't reduce the OT to the 'vehicle' that got us here. Within my own denomination there is a strong emphasis on the NT Church as a picture of what the present day church might look like.
My argument is however, that we are actually apart of the people of God. The OT is OUR story as much as the NT. We are not meant to look to the NT (only) as our model) but we must look more broadly at God's salvation work beginning with Israel if we are to have a better understanding of how the community of God's people should function! Therefore it is important that we as ministers and teachers teach the OT as much as the NT as part of our community formation. If we reduce the OT to a series of prophecies and metaphors for Christ one could well be in danger of abandoning one's heritage.
Therefore, and I come to this point as I type, surely it is both aspects of the hermeneutical spiral we need. Christ sheds the light on the text and the text sheds light on Christ as Israel's Messiah first and then Lord of the world?
*Please forgive any grammatical or spelling errors. This was typed rather hurriedly :-)
"*Please forgive any grammatical or spelling errors."
I absolve thee. Go in peace, brother!
Chris posted: 'it is more important that scripture should shed a light on Christ than that Christ should shed light on Scripture' [16]! Not sure I would agree
This seems to be the direct opposite of Dahl's position on Paul.
Mark said: Christ sheds the light on the text and the text sheds light on Christ
I think this is the way forward. The text ought always to be read in light of its res, its substance.
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