Since the time of the Reformation, considerable attention has been given to the theme of justification in the thought of the apostle Paul. The ground-breaking work of E. P. Sanders in Paul and Palestinian Judaism (1977) introduced the "new perspective on Paul," provoking an ongoing debate which is now dominated by major protagonists. Foundational theological issues are at stake. In this New Studies in Biblical Theology volume, Mark Seifrid offers a comprehensive analysis of Paul's understanding of justification, in the light of important themes including the righteousness of God, the Old Testament law, faith, and the destiny of Israel. A detailed examination of justification in the letter to the Romans is followed by a survey of the entire Pauline corpus. Seifrid's analysis incorporates a critical assessment of the "new perspective," challenging its most basic assumptions; an evaluation of the contribution of recent German scholarship; and a reaffirmation of the "Christ-centered" theology of the Reformers. In this wide-ranging exposition of the biblical message of justification, Seifrid provides a fresh, balanced reworking of Pauline theology. Addressing key issues in biblical theology, the works comprising New Studies in Biblical Theology are creative attempts to help Christians better understand their Bibles. The NSBT series is edited by D. A. Carson, aiming to simultaneously instruct and to edify, to interact with current scholarship and to point the way ahead.

Paul's view of the law and justification has been a perennial problem for historians and biblical scholars. This collection of essays by an international list of esteemed scholars seeks, in the first of two volumes, to reexamine the concept of covenantal nomism as described in E. P. Sanders's Paul and Palestinian Judaism and calls for a new understanding of the complexities of the Judaism of Jesus' (and Paul's) day. Contributors Philip S. Alexander Richard Bauckham Markus Bockmuehl D. A. Carson Philip R. Davies Roland Deines Peter Enns Craig A. Evans Daniel Falk Donald E. Gowan David M. Hay Robert A. Kugler Martin McNamara Mark A. Seifrid Paul Spilsbury "Justification and Variegated Nomism presents the most thorough reexamination to date of E. P. Sanders's Paul and Palestinian Judaism. This new study of the intertestamental literature will require a rethinking of Sanders's concept of covenantal nomism and its application to Paul's theology of justification." -Frank J. Matera, Catholic University of America "This is a fine survey of an important theme. The focus on literary genres brings out the diversity of Second Temple Judaism. The editors have brought together a team of scholars that is international, ecumenical, and generally first rate." -John J. Collins, Yale University Divinity School D. A. Carson (Ph.D., University of Cambridge) is research professor of New Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Peter T. O'Brien (Ph.D., University of Manchester) is senior research fellow at Moore Theological College. Mark A. Seifrid (Ph.D., Princeton Theological Seminary) is professor of New Testament interpretation at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.