Paul's "Works of the Law" in the Perspective of Second Century Reception
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- čas přidán 11. 09. 2024
- DSPT is pleased to announce our newest faculty member, Dr. Matthew J. Thomas. Among his areas of interest are New Testament and Patristics. He will begin teaching at DSPT fall 2019.
01:40 Background on research
04:23 Old perspectives of Paul
06:10 Three categories of “works of law”
07:20 New perspectives: communal identity
08:50 Luther: we’re unable to obey law
09:10 Luther: works can't justify us
09:26 Luther: earning salvation by works Is idolatry
10:40 Calvin: depravity means we can’t obey law
11:50 Sanders: Experience of Paul’s calling
13:29 Dunn: Attitude of exclusivity
14:23 Wright: Covenantal emphasis
14:45 Wright: Abraham’s promises are universal
17:02 Methodology
18:53 Sources of research
19:59 Epistle of Barnabas
21:43 Ignatius - Epistle to Magnesians
22:30 Ignatius - Epistle to Philadelphians
24:27 Epistle to Diognetus
26:30 Apology of Aristides
28:04 Justin Martyr - Dialogue with Trypho (Important)
36:35 Irenaeus - Against Heresies
40:30 Five oppositions: new law, covenant, universal
43:15 Paul’s dispute over "works of law"
45:05 Luther separates Moses & Christ
46:40 If Christ is Messiah, he is new law giver
49:30 Q&A begins
50:10 Why so many disputes on “works of law”?
52:22 Parable of unmerciful servant
54:38 Role of Ireneaus in Pauline theology
58:04 Augustine vs Luther & Calvin
01:01:49 Early sources: anthropological argument
01:03:38 New perspectives exegetically made sense
01:06:19 Jewish views on law
01:07:41 Tertullian: Jews & Christians only differ on Christ
01:10:44 Saved by grace & more accountable to works
01:14:37 Early writings share insights on Pauline texts
01:15:40 Paul’s writings about laws of Christ
This gives great insight into a traditionally complex issue. Presumed scriptural contradictions evaporate. Thanks so much for your thorough research!
It is complex, but getting rid of the complexity only gets rid of the biblical text. What Dr. Thomas ignored is that several texts in the first and second century do understand "works of the law" as being applicable to "good works in general." See for example the Epistle of 1 Clement:
"And we who through his will have been called in Christ Jesus are justified, not by ourselves, or through our wisdom or understanding or godliness, or the works that we have done in holiness of heart, but by faith, by which all men from the beginning have been justified by Almighty God, to whom be glory world without end. Amen."
And Catholic saints, doctors, and scholars throughout the ages have recognized this, including St. Ambrose, St. John Chrysostom, St. Augustine, St. Thomas Aquinas, etc.
Paul does in fact target the idea that righteousness is like something one earns for their good deeds. See Romans 4: "to the one who works his wages are not a gift but what he has earned. But to the one who does not work but trusts in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness."
See also the allusion to Deut. 9:4 in Rom. 10:6, for example.
@@taylorbarrett384 Yet, even if one has ALL FAITH, but does not LOVE, it is useless. ( 1 Corinthians 13:2), as the widow who gave all she had to the Treasury, as opposed to those who gave of their surplus, was justified before God, as was The Good Samaritan justified by God by his work of mercy. Peace always in Jesus Christ our Great and Kind God and Savior, He whose Flesh is True food and Blood True drink
@@matthewbroderick8756 Faith does have to be repentant (ie, rooted in a desire for Christ), in order to justify. Of course. However, the passages you listed never say that the people were justified/saved by those actions (giving money/taking care of the Samaritan). Rather, Jesus used them as examples of what it looks like to live in love. And, furthermore, we know from dogmatic theology that it is strictly impossible to do those works of love (ie charity) unless we have first already been filled with love by being justified/saved.
@@taylorbarrett384 again, the Good Samaritan, a foreigner, was JUSTIFIED before God by his work of mercy, for it pleased God so much, He told the people to go and do likewise, as The Son of Man shall give to each according to one's WORKS or LACK of WORKS , ( Matthew 25 :35-42),, as God shall render to everyone according to one's WORKS. To those who with patience in WELL DOING. Seek Glory and honor and immortality, He shall give Eternal life ", ( Romans 2:6-8), for "it is by WORKS and NOT BY FAITH ALONE THAT WE ARE JUSTIFIED ", ( James 2:24). Peace always in Jesus Christ our Great and Kind God and Savior, He whose Flesh is True food and Blood True drink
@@matthewbroderick8756 The word justified is never used to describe the Samaritan. I'm not sure why you are insisting upon that. Do you think a person can receive the grace of Baptism or Absolution by helping a poor person? That isn't how justification works.
him im intwrested on thw sources that Dr. thomas Quotes like jv fesco
Have you considered that the term "works of the law" is referring to a sect within the Qumran community? I would take a look at findings in Dead Sea scrolls which are actually called "worka of the law" or "Ma'aseh haTorah", aka 4Qmmt.