Recent Pauline Resources

In the last year or so, there have been several significant volumes published dealing with various elements of Paul’s theology. Here’s a list of those volumes I think readers of the Riddleblog and listeners to the Blessed Hope Podcast might find useful. All of them recognize Paul as an eschatological thinker, challenge the New Perspective reading of Paul’s letters, and are rich in background and theological content.

Douglas Moo: Paul and His Letters. Since the 1996 publication of his commentary on Romans (Eerdmans), Moo is regarded as one of the foremost non-New Perspective experts on Paul. This volume is a thorough survey of Paul’s theology and letters, focusing upon Paul’s understanding of the eschatological two ages, or, as he prefers, “realms.” It is very user friendly and helpful. Highly recommended.

Richard Gaffin: In the Fullness of Time. Richard Gaffin taught New Testament at Westminster Theological Seminary from 1977-2010. This volume is essentially an edited version of his lecture notes from his popular course on Acts and Paul. This volume is readily accessible, heavily dependent upon the work of Geerhardus Vos, and is the fruit of years of classroom instruction. There is much here of great value.

Constantine Campbell: Paul and the Hope of Glory. Campbell systematically surveys every Pauline text discussing eschatology—which makes for a significant volume since Paul is clearly an eschatological thinker. The book reflects the growing consensus that Paul’s non-millennial eschatology is grounded in two ages, or realms, and is key to understanding Paul’s thought correctly. Highly recommended but with a caveat—his reading of Romans 5:12-19 downplays the imputation of Christ’s righteousness in favor of transference from the realm of Adam to Christ. The latter is true, but need not displace for the former in Paul’s thought,

Stephen Westerholm: Romans: Text, Readers, and the History of Interpretation. One of my favorite writers on Paul. In this volume, reflecting years of teaching and publication, Stephen Westerholm covers two thousand years of the church’s reflection upon Paul’s magisterial letter. Westerholm even considers Martyn Lloyd-Jones’ sermons on Romans. Westerholm believes that the church’s interpretation of Romans is critical in properly understanding theological debates across the ages. You get Romans right, and you’ll get Christianity right.