Bibliography
| Title: Paul and the Abrahamic tradition. The background of Abraham and the law in Galatians 3-4 and Romans 4 Type: Generic Year: 1988 Abstract: "This study investigated the historical development of the Abrahamic tradition in intertestamental Judaism as the background for Paul's treatment of Abraham and the Law in Galatians 3-4 and Romans 4. The development of the Abrahamic tradition was established by dating documents from the Apocrypha, Pseudepigrapha, Qumran, Philo, Josephus, and the rabbis and analyzing the Abrahamic accounts according to the particular context of each document. The analysis of the Abrahamic tradition focused on the use of nomistic and nonnomistic paradigms, depending upon the association of Abraham with the Law. Equal consideration was given to both kinds of paradigms in order to ascertain the nomistic emphasis within the tradition. The study then applied the same methodology to Galatians and Romans, describing and interpreting Paul's use of Abrahamic paradigms. The study finds that paradigms were commonly used in the Abrahamic tradition from the second century B.C. through the first-Christian century. The paradigms portray Abraham as a model for Israel to emulate or as an example which sets an authoritative pattern for teachings and laws. Both nomistic and nonnomistic paradigms were used equally. The study also finds that Paul counters the nomistic emphasis common to his day by use of paradigms which contrast Abraham and the Law. Paul reinterprets the significance of Abraham and the Law in terms of contrasting covenants which are given new meaning as a result of Christ's death." Keywords: New Testament / Early Christianity |