Susan Eastman

‘Cast Out the Slave Woman and her Son’: The Dynamics of Exclusion and Inclusion in Galatians 4.30

Traditionally, the exclusionary command of Gal. 4.30 has been interpreted as proclaiming the exclusion of Jews from salvation, and more recently as commanding the Galatians to cast out the circumcising missionaries and their followers. Tracing the denotations of the respective mothers and sons in Paul’s ‘allegory’, and noting in particular the singular form of the imperative in v. 30, this article offers an alternative interpretation: in Gal. 4.30, as in Gal. 3.8, Paul’s converts overhear Scripture preaching the gospel to Abraham. The proclamation that the fulfillment of the promise comes only through divine faithfulness rather than through any human activity functions as a warning directed at those Galatians seeking circumcision.

Israel and the Mercy of God: A Re-reading of Galatians 6.16 and Romans 9–11

Noting the conjunction of ‘mercy’ and ‘Israel’ in Galatians 6.16 and Romans 9–11, this article argues that in both letters ‘Israel’ denotes the Jews. In Galatians 6.16, with an on-going mission to the Jews in view, Paul invokes peace on those who live according to the new creation, and mercy on unbelieving Israel. In Romans 9–11, he draws on both Scripture and his own experience of mercy to revisit the question of Israels destiny, discerning therein a providential pattern of a divine call that is interrupted by obduracy under the law, and ultimately fulfilled in Christ.

The Foolish Father and the Economics of Grace

By both ancient and modern standards, the exemplary father in the Parable of the Prodigal Son is a foolish parent. Nonetheless his foolish actions reveal an economy of grace that opens the door to repentance and reconciliation, by forgiving debts and exercising unaccountable generosity.

The Evil Eye and the Curse of the Law: Galatians 3.1 Revisited

Paul’s question in Gal. 3.1, ‘Who has cast the evil eye on you?’, echoes the Deuteronomic curse in which starving parents cast the evil eye and devour their own children. This echo anticipates Paul’s presentation of Christ crucified as the antidote to the curse of the law in ch. 3. It also underwrites Paul’s use of parent-child imagery, in ch. 4, to depict his gracious gospel as the free mother who bears children for freedom, but the law-inscribing mission as an enslaved mother whose children will never reach maturity.

Love’s Folly: Love and Knowledge in 1 Corinthians:

Tracing the language of love through 1 Corinthians, this article argues that Paul calls the Corinthians into an attentive communion with one another, in which mutual love will shape their practical wisdom. Paul’s goal is not the establishment of communal regulations, but rather the formation of moral agents through interpersonal bonds of love in Christ.

Jesus, Paul, and the Gospels by James D. G. DunnJesus, Paul, and the Gospels by DunnJames D. G.Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, 2011. 221 pp.

JAMES D. G. DUNN’S Jesus, Paul, and the Gospels is the fruit of a lifetime of study devoted to the love of Scripture and its subject matter. It collects a series of lectures for both Roman Catholic and Jewish audiences into a highly readable book, which will be useful for pastors, church study groups, beginning seminary students, and educated laypeople. As is appropriate to the genre of public lectures, Dunn communicates complex information and arguments with enviable clarity. In the process, he also sets forth his own proposals, and engages very minimally–if at all–with divergent points of view. Not all New Testament scholars will agree with his arguments, but he sets them forth in a winsome and persuasive manner.

21.00. ISBN 978-0-8028-6645-5.

Adapted from a sermon on sin, condemnation and grace preached on March 15, 2009 in Duke Chapel, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina. The Lectionary readings for the day were Romans 7:15-21 and John 2:13-17.

Sin’s Wages and God’s Gift in the Divine Economy: Reflections on Romans 7 and the Cleansing of the Temple in John 2:13-17

Markan priority is well worth reading for its own sake, independently of the remainder of the book. Its contents are of benefit to Q proponents and sceptics alike. The main body of the book is then devoted to arguing against the retention of Q. The third chapter strikes me as the key in this respect. Here, Goodacre starts by isolating and responding to six main arguments used to support the Q hypothesis. This chapter sets the tone for the remainder of the book which seeks to canvass various points in more detail, inter alia the argument from order, the somewhat overlooked value of narrative criticism and various points of source criticism. In an innovative move, Goodacre also provides a new perspective on the synoptic problem by examining what lessons can be learnt about redaction techniques in the early church by looking at modern day redactions of the synoptic gospels in film. Goodacre ends his consideration by comparing the hypothetical content of Q with the gospel of Thomas; the only sayings gospel so far discovered. The analysis in this last part is fascinating although the argument here is perhaps a little less convincing than it is for the rest of the work. The book rounds off with a brief consideration of the consequences of dispensing with Q for the synoptic problem and for New Testament studies in general. Despite the broad and complex argument that Goodacre embraces, the book is easily readable. Goodacre writes in a lucid and clear style that reduces some complex and innovative arguments to prose that is easily understood. On a more minor point, it is encouraging that Goodacre retains the use of the original Greek (or Coptic in the case of Thomas) throughout the work. This is important when dealing with detailed textual arguments. However, Goodacre courteously renders a translation on almost every occasion; thus assisting those for whom Greek (or Coptic) remains a distinctly second language. The Case Against Q may not succeed in changing the consensus on the two-document hypothesis single-handedly. However, it is a challenging, well argued and eminently readable work. It is worth serious consideration by anyone with an interest in the synoptic problem.