Reading Philippians after Supersessionism: Jews Gentiles and Covenant Identity (New Testament After Supersessionism)

Pauls letter to the Philippians has often been read as one of the apostles clearest denials of his (previous) Jewish identity in order to preempt the Judaizing tactics of false teachers who might infiltrate the congregation. But is this really the problem that Paul is confronting? And did Paul really abandon his identity as a Jew in order to know Christ? Furthermore what should Pauls gospel converts understand about their own identity in Christ? Zoccali provides fresh answers to these questions offering a more probable alternative to the traditional view that Christianity has replaced Judaism (supersessionism). Tracing Pauls theology in the light of social theory Zoccali demonstrates that for Paul the ethnic distinction between Jew and gentile necessarily remains unabated and the Torah continues to have a crucial role within the Christ-community as a whole. Rather than rejecting all things Jewish (or gentile) Paul seeks in this letter to more firmly establish the congregations identity as members of Gods holy multiethnic people. Zoccali provides the most extended treatment available of Philippians 3 from within the view that sees the church including Pauline congregations remaining within Judaism. In his look at the whole of Philippians he helpfully reclaims imitation as a proper mode of instruction and exhortation. His clear discussion of the place of Torah and righteousness in Pauls thought is valuable for studies across the Pauline corpus. --Jerry L. Sumney Professor of Biblical Studies Lexington Theological Seminary Chris Zoccali presents a carefully argued reading of key texts of Philippians. The combination of exegetical socio-historical and social-scientific methods leads to illuminating insights rendering this a highly important contribution to a non-supersessionist interpretation of the Pauline letters. --Kathy Ehrensperger Research Professorship New Testament in Jewish Perspective University of Potsdam Christopher Zoccali (University of Wales Trinity St. David) is an independent scholar in Rochester NY. He is the author of Whom God Has Called: The Relationship of Church and Israel in Pauline Interpretation 1920 to the Present (Pickwick 2010).