
According to the first point, the Lutheran perspective on Paul has got him all wrong. It results in a total travesty of what he meant. So, in place of Total depravity, our own first point is: 'Total travesty'.
According to the second point, the cardinal belief of first century Judaism is the unmerited divine election, God's choice of Israel to be his covenant people. In this case, no modification seems necessary. 'Unconditional election' will do just fine.
According to the third point, this Jewish belief in election comes to expression in a firm allegiance to the marks of difference - circumcision and the rest. 'Limited atonement' isn't quite right here, so I suggest we replace it with 'Loyalty to the law'.
According to the fourth point, Paul is generally affirmative of this Jewish covenant theology, and certainly does not criticize it for any alleged tendency to make salvation dependent on human law-observance. He is, however, critical of its tendency to confine membership of the people of God to the Jewish community; God is, after all, the God of Gentiles also. We will call our fourth point not 'Irresistible grace' but 'Inclusive salvation'.
According to the fifth point, historical-critical study of Paul must rid itself of misreadings stemming from interpreters' prior theological commitments. 'The Perseverance of the saints' is no good here, so we will call our final point, 'Presuppositionless exegesis'.
Finally, we have a standard by which to measure one's fidelity to the New Perspective. So, how many points do you adhere to? I consider myself a 4.45 point Calvinist, and a 2.75 point New Perspectivist...roughly.
1 comment:
As a 5.5 point Calvinist this may seem odd but here's my break down.
Point 1 - 3/4 point. I think the Lutheran reading of Paul is right, but not complete, but I don't think thats the issue in Rom & Gal.
Point 2 - Agree
Point 3 - Agree
Point 4 - 1/2 point. I think Paul does critique Jewish covenant theology precisely for not recognizing the inclusion of the Gentiles as Gentiles in the New Covenant.
Point 5 - 1/2 point. Even it is impossible to completely take off our 'lenses' we should try our best to understand Paul and other texts as they would have been originally understood.
By my count that is 3.75.
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