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Paul among Jews and Gentiles, and Other Essays (1976) is a book by Krister Stendahl.

Abstract

Stendahl, a Lutheran bishop writing here for a primarily Protestant audience, seeks in the first essay of this collection to correct what he sees as a western tradition of misinterpretation of Paul’s original message (due to an inaccurate reading of Paul through the lens of Augustine and Martin Luther) and to strike at the most vicious root of theological anti-Judaism (127). Only by understanding the original context of Paul’s letters and Paul’s original meanings can one then begin to make Paul’s message relevant for modern times and situations. As opposed to traditional interpretations, Paul’s doctrine of justification by faith did not grow out of his dissatisfaction with Judaism nor was it intended as a frontal assault on any sort of legalism. Paul, the devout, pious Jew in no way felt dissatisfaction with the Mosaic Law or felt that he could not uphold it. Paul’s “conversion” was really a prophetic “call” for him to bring the gospel to the gentiles, and Paul, the consummate academic and theologian, pondered over the problem as to how to include the gentiles in the church now that the Messiah had come. Justification by faith became the answer.

The second essay of the collection, “The Apostle Paul and the Introspective Conscience of the West,” was first delivered at the Annual Meeting of the American Psychological Association on September 3, 1961 and is essentially a condensed argument of the larger, more detailed examination in the first essay. – Jason Zurawski, University of Michigan

"A sharp challenge to traditional ways of understanding Paul is sounded in this book by a distinguished interpreter of the New Testament. Krister Stendahl proposes-in the key title essay-new ways of exploring Paul's speech: Paul must be heard as one who speaks of his call rather than conversion, of justification rather than forgiveness, or weakness rather than sin, of love rather than integrity, and in unique rather than universal language. The title essay is complemented by the landmark paper, "Paul and the Introspective Conscience of the West," and by two seminal explorations of Pauline issues, "Judgement and Mercy" and "Glossolalia-The New Testament Evidence." The book concludes with Stendahl's pointed reply to the eminent scholar Ernst Kasemann who has taken issue with the author's revolutionary interpretations. This volume provides convincingly new ways for viewing Paul, the most formative of Christian teachers."--Publisher Description

Editions

Published in Philadelphia: Fortress, 1976.

Translations

• Der Jude Paulus und wir Heiden = Paul among Jews and Gentiles (1978 Stendahl), book (German ed.)

• Paolo fra ebrei e pagani = Paul among Jews and Gentiles (1995 @1978 Stendahl / Tomasetto, Ribet), book (Italian ed.)

Contents

Paul Among Jews and Gentiles

• 1 Paul Among Jews and Gentiles

• 2 Call Rather Than Conversion

• 3 Justification Rather Than Forgiveness

• 4 Weakness Rather Than Sin

• 5 Love Rather Than Integrity

• 6 Unique Rather Than Universal

The Apostle Paul and the Introspective Conscience of the West

Judgment and Mercy

Glossolalia – The New Testament Evidence

Sources and Critiques

External links

Google Books