__What would the world look like if the Old Perspective on Paul was right about justification, the New Perspective was right about Judaism, and the Radical New Perspective was right to note ongoing differences between Jewish and Gentile converts?__Galatians Reconsidered is a compelling, practical study of Paul the Apostle's writing that explores just that. Emphasising the central role played by regression in Paul's argument on justification, Neil Martin examines the dichotomy between faith and works and how the apostle envisaged the differences in how Jews and Gentiles should interact with the Law.

By re-establishing Galatians in its original Jewish and pagan context, Martin exposes the problems faced by Galatian churches and shows how they still speak to modern churches today. His insight not only helps us better appreciate Paul's message but challenges us to put his wisdom into practice in our own church settings.

Provocative and stimulating Galatians Reconsidered is a robust new look at the question of justification. It will leave you with a thorough knowledge of the merits and failings of both the old and new perspectives on Paul, as well as a broader understanding of the letter to the Galatians both in the context in which it was written and its continued relevance today.

Galatians Reconsidered is a provocative and practical study of Paul the Apostle and justification, in which Neil Martin examines how both the old and new perspective on Paul are right about some things and wrong about others.

'Might cultural habits and convictions of their pre-Christian past affect the way converts discern rival interpretations of their new-found faith? In this compelling and original study, Neil Martin argues from a wide range of ancient primary sources that this is what lies behind Paul's puzzling warning to Gentile Galatians: having come to faith in Christ, their additional adoption of Jewish observance would for them entail going back to problematic patterns of their pre-Christian past. An excellent case study in how to bring the rewards of careful historical scholarship to the service of contemporary theological, pastoral and missional engagement!'

'Neil Martin has accomplished something to which few writers in the crowded field of Pauline research should even aspire: saying something both new and significant about as foundational a concept as the reason for Paul's sharp invective in Galatians. Appropriating the best insights of the old, new, and radical new perspectives on Paul, Martin comes down squarely in none of those camps. Instead, he argues that Paul's biggest fears were about Gentile believers adopting Jewish laws and regressing to their previous, pagan attitudes of trying to incentivize the gods to bless them. Searching questions arise about how Christians today may be unwittingly doing the same things when they imitate cultural forms in church practices that do not invite new Christians to make clear breaks from their past. Here is a book to read slowly and reflect on in detail'

'Galatians is a puzzle in many ways, partly because Paul is so angry about encouraging Jewish practices that he is unconcerned about elsewhere. Neil Martin has more emotional intelligence than anyone I've ever met, so I'm not surprised he has found this solution to the conundrum. His suggestion, that Paul is concerned about the insidious effects of old habits, is so obvious once it's pointed out, it becomes difficult to read Paul's letter in any other way. In this work, he shows how churches in all cultures - not just those in first century Galatia - suffer from similar serious problems.'

'When writing on Galatians, scholars face two temptations. The first is the conceit that despite centuries of interpretation, you have, at long last, finally discovered the interpretive key to Paul's most controverted letter. The other is to get so buried in minutiae that you lose touch with its life-changing relevance. In Galatians Reconsidered, Neil Martin admirably resists both temptations. Creatively drawing on an understanding of the power of habit, and applying this insight to the concern Paul has for the Galatians' regression to the patterns of their pagan past, Martin offers a reading coherent for Pauline scholars that is also compelling for twenty-first century readers. Galatians is so much more than sophisticated soteriology; it's an actionable vision of Christian discipleship—as needed in Paul's day as it is in ours. While one may take issue with Martin's interpretation, this is a brilliantly executed argument and a pleasure to read. Highly recommended!'

'In Galatians Reconsidered, Neil Martin builds on the vast scope of Galatians scholarship and offers a new lens for understanding Paul's arguments. Martin reframes the problem Paul is addressing in Galatians: not Jewish legalism or nationalism but Gentile regression. In this proposal, Paul is deeply concerned that Gentiles who have followed Jesus will take a stance toward the Torah that mirrors their own former, pagan law-keeping. A fresh and important contribution to the conversation.'

'Academically well researched, Neil Martin offers a reading of Galatians that reveals one of the key challenges of the churches in Paul's era, yet often overlooked. I recommend this book to academics, pastors, and gospel workers who are interested in the shaping of communities that reflect great accommodation despite differences in the gospel community.'

Contents

Preface and Acknowledgements xiii

Prologue xvii

__Part I__

__OPENING UP THE TEXT__

1 The Problem With the Problem in Galatia 3

Introduction 3

1 Knowns and Unknowns in the Context 3

2 Incongruities in the Text 6

2.1 The Integrity of Paul's Argument 6

2.2 The Complexity of Paul's Stance Concerning Law 7

2.3 The Extremity of Paul's Warnings 9

2.4 The Apparent Incoherence of Paul's Regression Language 10

3\. The Problem With the Problem in Galatia 12

2 A Jewish Problem 13

Introduction 13

1 The Old Perspective on Paul 14

1.1 The Old Perspective Under Scrutiny 15

1.2 The Old Perspective in Galatians 17

2 The New Perspective on Paul 21

2.1 New Perspectives Under Scrutiny 22

2.2 New Perspectives in Galatians 25

3 A Gentile Problem 28

Introduction 28

1 Gentile Political Identity 28

2 Gentile Theological Identity 31

2.1 The Radical New Perspective on Paul 32

2.2 Gentiles and the Law 36

__Part II__

__GOING BACKWARDS IN GALATIA__

4 A Disconcerting Diagnosis 43

Introduction 43

1 Troubling Logic 43

2 Logic That's Integral to the Argument of the Letter 47

2.1 Prevalence 47

2.2 Structure 51

2.3 Significance 53

5 Going Backwards to a Jewish Past 55

Introduction 55

1 Into the Past 55

2 Godfearers in Asia Minor 59

3 The Godfearing Lifestyle 63

4 Regression to a Godfearing Past 66

5 Regression in the General Direction of Judaism 69

6 Going Backwards to a Gentile Past 72

Introduction 72

1 Setting Expectations 74

2 Into the Past 75

2.1 Literary Memories 78

2.2 Memories on Stone 79

3 Regression in Galatia 86

4 Conclusions 89

7 Going Backwards to 'the Present Evil Age' 91

Introduction 91

1 Convergence and Divergence in the Apocalyptic Paul 93

2 Apocalyptic Takes on Regression 96

2.1 J. Louis Martyn 97

2.2 Martinus de Boer 98

2.3 John Barclay 100

2.4 Brant Pitre, Michael Barber and John Kincaid 102

8 Going Backwards in Corinth and Rome 105

Introduction 105

1 The Weak and the Strong 105

2 Weakness and Strength in Corinth 106

3 Weakness and Strength in Romans 111

4 Weakness and Strength in Galatians 115

9 Going Backwards in Galatia 118

Introduction 118

1 Returning to the Stoicheia 121

2 Reading Stoicheia in Context 124

2.1 Calendrical Observances 125

2.2 Thought Experiments in Regression 129

3 Sketching the Galatian Crisis 132

__Part III__

__GOING FORWARDS WITH PAUL__

10 Faith and Works, Law and Gospel 141

Introduction 141

1 Justification 144

2 Obeying the Law 148

3 The Curse of the Law 152

4 Jewish Legalism 156

11 Growing to Maturity 159

Introduction 159

1 Regression Meets Ethics 160

2 Spiritual Transformation 164

3 Symptomatic and Systemic Responses to the Galatian Problem 167

12 Pastoral Priorities 170

Introduction 170

1 Accommodation and the Agitators 170

2 The Parting of the Ways 172

3 Accommodation in Paul 175

4 Accommodation Today 177

13 Voices From the Past 180

Introduction 180

1 Recognizing Regression – Ignatius, Justin, Origen 180

2 Resisting Regression – Tertullian, Cyprian, Origen 183

3 Disregarding Regression – Gregory Thaumaturgus,

Gregory the Great 185

4 Regression and Retrojection – Luther 187

14 Challenges and Opportunities for the Present 191

Introduction 191

1 Pagan Post-Modernity 193

2 Running on the Rails of Ritual 195

3 Making it Tangible 198

4 Exhortation 200

Inscription Corpora 203

Bibliography 205

Index of Ancient Sources 225

Index of Modern Authors 232

Index of Subjects 235

Neil Martin

Cover

Praise Page

Title Page

Copyright

Dedication

Preface and Acknowledgements

Prologue

Part I: Opening up the Text

1. The Problem With the Problem in Galatia

2. A Jewish Problem

3. A Gentile Problem

Part II: Going Backwards in Galatia

4. A Disconcerting Diagnosis

5. Going Backwards to a Jewish Past

6. Going Backwards to a Gentile Past

7. Going Backwards to 'the Present Evil Age'

8. Going Backwards in Corinth and Rome

9. Going Backwards in Galatia

Part III: Going Forwards With Paul

10. Faith and Works, Law and Gospel

11. Growing to Maturity

12. Pastoral Priorities

13. Voices From the Past

14. Challenges and Opportunities for the Present

Inscription Corpora

Bibliography

Index of Ancient Sources

Index of Modern Authors

Index of Subjects

What would the world look like if the Old Perspective on Paul was right about justification, the New Perspective was right about Judaism, and the Radical New Perspective was right to note ongoing differences between Jewish and Gentile converts?  
  
Galatians Reconsidered is a compelling, practical study of Paul the Apostle’s writing that explores just that. Emphasising the central role played by regression in Paul’s argument on justification, Neil Martin examines the dichotomy between faith and works and how the apostle envisaged the differences in how Jews and Gentiles should interact with the Law.   
  
By re-establishing Galatians in its original Jewish and pagan context, Martin exposes the problems faced by Galatian churches and shows how they still speak to modern churches today. His insight not only helps us better appreciate Paul’s message but challenges us to put his wisdom into practice in our own church settings.  
  
Provocative and stimulating Galatians Reconsidered is a robust new look at the question of justification. It will leave you with a thorough knowledge of the merits and failings of both the old and new perspectives on Paul, as well as a broader understanding of the letter to the Galatians both in the context in which it was written and its continued relevance today.

\["For scholars, pastors, and seekers of deeper biblical understanding.","Reshapes perspectives on Paul's teachings in Galatians.","Offers fresh insights for modern churches, enriching interpretation."\]

Might cultural habits and convictions of their pre-Christian past affect the way converts discern rival interpretations of their new-found faith? In this compelling and original study, Neil Martin argues from a wide range of ancient primary sources that this is what lies behind Paul’s puzzling warning to Gentile Galatians: having come to faith in Christ, their additional adoption of Jewish observance would for them entail going back to problematic patterns of their pre-Christian past. An excellent case study in how to bring the rewards of careful historical scholarship to the service of contemporary theological, pastoral and missional engagement!

__- Markus Bockmuehl, Dean Ireland’s Professor of the Exegesis of Holy Scripture, University of Oxford__

Neil Martin has accomplished something to which few writers in the crowded field of Pauline research should even aspire: saying something both new and significant about as foundational a concept as the reason for Paul’s sharp invective in Galatians. Appropriating the best insights of the old, new, and radical new perspectives on Paul, Martin comes down squarely in none of those camps. Instead, he argues that Paul’s biggest fears were about Gentile believers adopting Jewish laws and regressing to their previous, pagan attitudes of trying to incentivize the gods to bless them. Searching questions arise about how Christians today may be unwittingly doing the same things when they imitate cultural forms in church practices that do not invite new Christians to make clear breaks from their past. Here is a book to read slowly and reflect on in detail.

__- Craig L. Blomberg, Distinguished Professor Emeritus of New Testament, Denver Seminary, Littleton, CO__

Galatians is a puzzle in many ways, partly because Paul is so angry about encouraging Jewish practices that he is unconcerned about elsewhere. Neil Martin has more emotional intelligence than anyone I've ever met, so I'm not surprised he has found this solution to the conundrum. His suggestion, that Paul is concerned about the insidious effects of old habits, is so obvious once it's pointed out, it becomes difficult to read Paul's letter in any other way. In this work, he shows how churches in all cultures - not just those in first century Galatia - suffer from similar serious problems.

__- David Instone-Brewer, Senior Research Fellow, Tyndale House, Cambridge__

When writing on Galatians, scholars face two temptations. The first is the conceit that despite centuries of interpretation, you have, at long last, finally discovered the interpretive key to Paul’s most controverted letter. The other is to get so buried in minutiae that you lose touch with its life-changing relevance. In Galatians Reconsidered, Neil Martin admirably resists both temptations. Creatively drawing on an understanding of the power of habit, and applying this insight to the concern Paul has for the Galatians’ regression to the patterns of their pagan past, Martin offers a reading coherent for Pauline scholars that is also compelling for twenty-first century readers. Galatians is so much more than sophisticated soteriology; it's an actionable vision of Christian discipleship—as needed in Paul's day as it is in ours. While one may take issue with Martin’s interpretation, this is a brilliantly executed argument and a pleasure to read. Highly recommended!

__- Todd Wilson, PhD, Cofounder &amp; President, The Center for Pastor Theologians__

Neil Martin interprets Galatians giving due weight to the fact that converts inevitably employ their existing cultural and religious resources to help understand and live their new faith. It makes a very significant difference, allowing Martin to illuminate the puzzle of Paul’s linking of the temptation for the Galatians to place themselves under the law with regression to their previous pagan religious practices (Gal 4:8-10). In the process critical questions are raised about Paul’s relationship with Judaism and a fresh discernment proposed of the contemporary significance of his struggle in Galatia. All interpreters of Galatians will benefit greatly from engagement with this stimulating and thoughtful perspective on the letter.

__- Stephen Chester, Lord and Lady Coggan Professor of New Testament, Wycliffe College, Toronto__

In Galatians Reconsidered, Neil Martin builds on the vast scope of Galatians scholarship and offers a new lens for understanding Paul’s arguments. Martin reframes the problem Paul is addressing in Galatians: not Jewish legalism or nationalism but Gentile regression. In this proposal, Paul is deeply concerned that Gentiles who have followed Jesus will take a stance toward the Torah that mirrors their own former, pagan law-keeping. A fresh and important contribution to the conversation.

__- Jeannine K. Brown, Bethel Seminary, Saint Paul, Minnesota__

Neil Martin offers an innovative and subtle interpretation of a number of the thorniest interpretative quandaries in Galatians. Along the way, he also provides a map of the main schools of Pauline theology, an introduction to the probable religious habits of the Galatians before their conversion, and an investigation of the contemporary relevance of Paul’s pastoral theology. Students of Paul’s letters (including those of us who have been reading Paul for years) are certain to come away wiser.

__- Nathan Eubank, Rev. John A. O'Brien Associate Professor of Theology, Notre Dame__

How can Paul say that for the Gentile Christians to keep the Jewish law would be for them to return to their pagan past? Without either taking Sinai to be a covenant of works or denying the threat of legalism in the human heart, Neil Martin offers a fresh reading of Galatians that explains why keeping the good law of God would have been so dangerous for these converted Gentiles. In the course of exploring the context and content of the letter he communicates deep exegetical and historical work with engaging clarity and the pace of a whodunnit. But the real sting comes at the end of the book when he brings Paul’s warnings as he has explained them to bear upon the contemporary church. This section will open up new vistas of application for preachers far beyond the standard quest for the contemporary Gentile equivalent to circumcision. Taken seriously, its searching critique has the potential to upturn our entire approach to evangelism and Christian discipleship.

__- Garry Williams, Director, Pastors Academy__

To some modern readers, Paul’s letter to the Galatians may appear to be more of a battleground for divergent perspectives within Pauline scholarship than a piece of pastoral communication. In Galatians Reconsidered, Neil Martin offers a fresh reading of Paul’s remarkable letter than engages carefully with the letter in its historical and literary context so as to highlight its pastoral and missiological impact. Martin argues creatively that Paul addresses not primarily the actual teaching of the Jewish ‘agitators’ but the way in which that teaching might have been understood by Galatians who were tempted to ‘regress’ to former pagan patterns of thought and behaviour. This is a fascinating study combining engaging prose with attention to detail. It has significance for understanding Paul’s ancient letter and for contemporary missiological practice. Students, preachers, and other serious readers will benefit from careful reading of this book.

__- Alistair I. Wilson, Lecturer in Mission and New Testament, Director of Postgraduate Studies, Edinburgh Theological Seminary__

Academically well researched, Neil Martin offers a reading of Galatians that reveals one of the key challenges of the churches in Paul’s era, yet often overlooked. I recommend this book to academics, pastors, and gospel workers who are interested in the shaping of communities that reflect great accommodation despite differences in the gospel community.

__- Rev Tayo Arikawe, International Director, Langham Partnership International__

"Galatians Reconsidered" reshapes Pauline theology, offering profound insights for today's seekers of biblical truth.

Galatians Reconsidered

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