Just a quick link to a good article by John Piper which discusses the New Pauline Perspective and their view of Phariseeism. The article strongly suggests that NPP proponents are not considering properly what Jesus Himself says concerning the Pharisees.
Here is the link: “Jesus, Islam, Pharisees, and the New Perspective on Paul“.
The article is important reading, but it is also devotional reading. We must not be relying on our own merits for favor with God. Let us remember this as we go “serve” God today in worship. Let us come expecting to receive more than give, and come as needy not worthy.
Thank you Jesus for such undeserved and altogether glorious grace!
∼striving for the unity of the faith for the glory of God∼ Eph. 4:3,13 “¢ Rom. 15:5-7
Bob,
Thanks for this link. I too think that the teachings of the NPP, as they affect the doctrine of justification, are gravely and dangerously false — but I feel as if I’m a lone voice in the midst of a chorus of praise for the astutely evangelical N.T. Wright. Anyway, I’m glad to hear Piper’s very clear and helpful critique, and to know that I’m not the only one so opposed to Wright’s teachings on justification. I would definitely encourage everyone to read this brief article.
I think that last comment was tinged with some unnecessary “Elijah Syndrome” — I know there are many other better bible scholars than myself who would argue against NPP. I’ve just had a few conversations with friends who were all opposed to me on the point of Wright and his doctrine of justification. So just ignore the “I’m the only one” gobleddy-gook, and go read Piper!
I had the pleasure of reading three or four of E.P. Sander’s books this summer. Very quickly I realized that the man take a liberal approach to inspiration. That an evangelical could swallow his views without noticing the obvious is disturbing. Sanders discounts the face value of Jesus’ words because he gives modern scholarship more weight than the Bible itself, i.e., Jesus couldn’t have meant what he obviously said because modern scholarship has revealed that the Pharisees really weren’t like that.
More recent research in the area of late Paletistinian Judaism have uncovered some evidence that Jesus really was right. Sanders’ historical sources are a couple of centuries removed from Jesus’ time and cannot be projected backwards with great accuracy.
I’ve had an ultra-orthodox rabbi tell me that Jesus’ criticism of the Pharisees were legit, and that the ancient rabbis began addressing those problems around the time after the Temple was lost.