The Righteousness of One: An Evaluation of Early Patristic Soteriology in Light of the New Perspective on Paul

Since the publication of E.P. Sanders Paul and Palestinian Judaism in 1977 Pauls soteriology has received extensive evaluation in light of second temple Judaism. These works have focused on exegesis of the Pauline text and evaluating Sanders proposal of covenantal nomism within the second temple Jewish literature. There has been an unfortunate gap in this discussion: historical theology. This work addresses the historical claims made by proponents of the New Perspective on Paul regarding Luthers theology and the early church. In The Righteousness of One Jordan Cooper demonstrates that the portrait of Luther given by many of the New Perspective writers is a caricature read through the lens of both Protestant scholasticism and twentieth-century existentialist theology. Luthers views are more nuanced and balanced than many Pauline interpreters are willing to admit. In light of this reevaluation of Luthers own theology early Patristic writings are evaluated in terms of similarity and disparity between Patristic Pauline interpretation and Lutheran Pauline interpretation and thus it becomes apparent that there is continuity between the patristic tradition and Luthers reading of the Pauline text. Rather than being driven purely by medieval debates about merit Luthers reading of Paul is both exegetically sensitive and consistent with the broader catholic tradition. Cooper does not claim to pass final judgment on the New Perspective. What he offers is the opportunity to renew the debate in a more historically informed fashion. Having cleared the clutter Cooper leaves us still with the task of grasping what St. Paul really said. --From the foreword by Peter J. Leithart Jordan Cooper is a Pastor in the AALC and author of JustandSinner.com. He has been published in the LOGIA Journal of Lutheran Theology and the Issues Etc. Journal.