Paul among the Postliberals: Pauline Theology beyond Christendom and Modernity

Currents in Theology and Mission, Oct, 2004 by David W. Kuck

Paul among the Postliberals: Pauline Theology beyond Christendom and Modernity. By Douglas Harink. Grand Rapids: Brazos Press, 2003. 283 pages. Paper. $23.99.

Harink is a theologian who argues passionately in this book that Paul's theology, as interpreted by recent scholarship, fits well with certain postliberal theologians, especially Karl Barth, John Howard Yoder, and Stanley Hauerwas. In five major chapters Harink covers developments in the study of Paul, mostly engendered by the "New Perspective" movement.

Chapter 1 deals with recent interpretation of Paul's teaching on justification, with an emphasis on cosmic and social aspects rather than individual faith. This fits with Barth's emphasis on the power and priority of God. Chapter 2 argues that an apocalyptic understanding of Paul's theology (following mostly J. Louis Martyn on Galatians) illuminates the theology of Hauerwas. Chapter 3 advances a political interpretation of Paul, as seen in the work of Yoder. In chapter 4 Harink criticizes all supercessionist readings of Paul on Israel, especially that of N. T. Wright, and argues that Paul saw a continuing role for Israel in God's plans. Chapter 5 deals with religion and culture, arguing that Paul sees not a new Christian religion distinct from Israel but rather a Jewish people of God called out from Gentiles as well as Jews to bring a cruciform witness to the nations of the world.

Harink wants to update theologians and pastors on Pauline scholarship and to call them to abandon major elements of the standard Lutheran/Protestant reading of Paul. The book is sometimes exasperating, as Harink makes overly sharp contrasts between traditional and newer views. In his zeal to lift up his favorite interpreters of Paul he sometimes misses important aspects of Paul or areas of ongoing debate. If the measure of the value of a book is that it challenges you to rethink treasured ideas and send you back to the sources to check it out for yourself, then this book is a success.

David W. Kuck

United Theological College

Kingston, Jamaica