I have joined the team of writers at Credo blog which will also feature Credo, an on-line magazine, beginning in October. Here is my first entry at Credo. "Gentiles in Paul's Argument in Romans 2: Their Praise is not from Man but from God."
That Romans 2 should figure prominently within disagreements among contemporary
Christian scholars about how to understand Paul’s reasoning concerning the
gospel in relation to the law of Moses is no surprise, for this chapter has
always posed exegetical difficulties, especially since the Reformation. Two
contrasting interpretations of the passage dominate discussions. The one that
dominated until the past twenty years is that Paul, in portions if not the whole
of Romans 2, argues against his presumptuous and censorious but rhetorical or
imaginary Jewish dialog partner by positing equally imaginary Gentiles whose
salvation by keeping the law is only theoretical because sin renders every human
helpless and incapable of doing good. The second interpretation, which has
gained much greater acceptance in recent years, is that Paul is depicting
Christians generally in 2:7 and 10 but particularly Christian Gentiles in 2:12ff
and 2:25-29, by their conduct, the obedience of faith, in contrast to others
whose evil deeds manifest unbelief.
Read more.
