Reading Paul in the context of the Bible's Story, with the result that Paul sounds like he fits into the concerns of the Bible, has been the intent of both the new and old perspective. Reading Paul's version of the Story -- his "wiki-story" of the Story -- in the context of his Jewish context has been the quest of the new perspective. In some important ways, the old perspective failed in this regard and it is to Tom Wright's credit, in Justification: God's Plan & Paul's Vision
, to point that out without ignoring that sometimes new perspective folks have exaggerated their claims too.Tom Wright's understanding of "God's righteousness" as his covenant faithfulness enables him to reshape what Paul means about Jewish privilege in Romans 2. In particular, the privilege the Jew has is that God has chosen Israel to bless the world. Along with privilege, comes responsibility, and here's the sticking point for Paul in the new perspective of Tom Wright: Israel failed in its task to bless the world and to be a light to the nations. There is in the new perspective a Jewish privilege -- God chose Israel, not just for personal salvation, but to be a light to the nations. And Israel did not deliver, but Jesus did.
This is why Romans 3:1-2 is so important: "What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision? Much in every way! First of all, they have been entrusted with the very words of God." Israel's privilege is being given the Torah. Entrusted means given something in trust for a purpose. Israel's unfaithfulness is its failure to bless the nations with that Torah.
And Paul's question in this section of Romans 3:3 is about whether or not God will be faithful to his covenant promises -- will God be righteous in that regard. Thus: "What if some did not have faith? Will their lack of faith nullify God's faithfulness?" Doesn't 3:5 then prove that "righteousness" means covenant faithfulness by God? "But if our unrighteousness brings out God's righteousness more clearly, what shall we say?"
Because of Israel's failure, they join Gentiles in the lawcourt dock.
So God has to figure out how to be faithful to himself and to Israel and he must find a way of Israel being faithful -- the Messiah will be that Israel.
And Paul's question in this section of Romans 3:3 is about whether or not God will be faithful to his covenant promises -- will God be righteous in that regard. Thus: "What if some did not have faith? Will their lack of faith nullify God's faithfulness?" Doesn't 3:5 then prove that "righteousness" means covenant faithfulness by God? "But if our unrighteousness brings out God's righteousness more clearly, what shall we say?"
Because of Israel's failure, they join Gentiles in the lawcourt dock.
So God has to figure out how to be faithful to himself and to Israel and he must find a way of Israel being faithful -- the Messiah will be that Israel.
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Scot, it wearies me that some who reflect on NTW's contribution to this discussion on justification do not see how Paul as a literary genius is building his case. Even the quibble with the wording "...God had to figure out..." tips the hand that people are not reading Paul narratively, but through petrified systematic categories. These posts so far are setting us up for the sheer beauty and genius of Romans 9-11 which as been noted usually are in the OPP a parenthesis in Paul's logic or a knotty diversion from his main point. NTW welds those amazing chapters into the biblical historical sweep of salvation. God does not have plan B, what unfolds is his purposed plan. Praise to be God etc as Romans 11 ends!
David Yates (#2), I don't even know who you are commenting to. Certainly not anyone in this discussion. What *are* you trying to say?
John Frye,
The genius of the Bible as Story perspective is to see the powerful drama at work in the pages of the Bible. There's a constant "what will happen next?" if you read the Bible attentively... and in Revelation we get a glimpse of the end to draw us forward.
John Frye:
No disagreement that Romans 9-11 deals with the overarching theme of the Bible (mutual blessing from Israel to the nations) as applied to a particular situation (Christians disdaining Jews and feeling as thought they had replaced or made Israel obsolete). Romans 14 is, I believe also about the same issue. And as usual, God's word to any group feeling rather superior is, watch out that you don't fall and don't assume that you are better than they (after all, the church is grafted as wild branches to Israel's tree and Israel's calling is not revoked nor will it ever be).
Derek Leman
John W Frye (#9), I was trying to address the issue: 'God has chosen Israel to bless the world' (Scot's introduction).
David (#12),
Oh.
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