We finish this series on Tom Wright, in Justification: God's Plan & Paul's Vision
. We will look into his treatment of Romans 6 and then offer his summary of what is being said:"Paul does not, 'I am in Christ; Christ has obeyed the Torah; therefore God regards me as though I had obeyed the Torah.' He says: 'I am in Christ; Christ has died and been raised; therefore God regards me -- and I must learn to regard myself -- as someone who has died to sin and been raised to newness of life."
And: "To know that one has died and been raised is far, far more pastorally significant than than to know that one has, vicariously, fulfilled the Torah" (233).
Wright goes on about Romans 5--8 and then 9--11, and you can fill in those lines of thinking by reading his book -- but his major ideas are already on the table and have been emphasized often. With one exception: Wright's theology of Paul is robustly filled with the Spirit, and this is not always done in those who focus on justification. Wright gives plenty of space to the Spirit at work in us now.
The Story of the Bible is the Story of Jesus Christ. This Story goes through Abraham and into Jesus Christ and through the Spirit and for the whole of creation. The creator God called Abraham to bless the whole world and to do this by forgiving its sins and the curse of death and find blessing and the promise of life. The metaphor at work here is the law court and God has brought forward his judgment into history in Christ -- those in Christ are in the right. The sign here is faith.
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"Paul does not [say], 'I am in Christ; Christ has obeyed the Torah; therefore God regards me as though I had obeyed the Torah.' He says: 'I am in Christ; Christ has died and been raised; therefore God regards me -- and I must learn to regard myself -- as someone who has died to sin and been raised to newness of life."
And: "To know that one has died and been raised is far, far more pastorally significant than than to know that one has, vicariously, fulfilled the Torah" (233).
How refreshing this discussion has been! And a great note to end on! Thank you!
(Perhaps with time we can stop calling "The New Perspective" and start calling it "The Refreshing Perspective"! Ha!)
Very clarifying and thought-provoking series. Thanks, Scot, for extending your classroom to all of us.
For those who share Charlie's (#6) desire for more clarity, I would recommend the comparison chart in the June edition of Christianity Today if you haven't already.
Thanks again for the great conversation everyone. Peace.
was there a post 19?
My all-time favourite book on Romans 6,7 & 8 is Brithright: Christian do you know who you are? by David Needham. It liberated me from the standard "we are trapped in sin" theology so often taught in churches
so amazed by brian who comments "It liberated me from the standard 'we are trapped in sin' theology." Are we NOT trapped in sin? the NPP is a great mental exercise, but, unfortunately it is so out of touch with real world. It does not take the fallen human nature seriously
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