
$39.95
Reviewed by Keith Thompson
Tom Holland is a New Testament
scholar and historian whose previous research on Paul and the Paschal
New
Exodus theology is similar in field to Wright’s scholarly endeavors (p.
7). Holland
is therefore in a good position to be able to assess and critique Wright
on the
most pressing matters in the latter’s writings, as well as other aspects
other respondents have failed to adequately treat. In this book Holland
accomplishes this task
thoroughly, forcefully, and also graciously. Many Christians have been
troubled
by Wright’s erroneous claims about justification, works of the law, the
atonement, the
exile, and so on. The best
one-volume
antidote to these errors is Holland’s book. It addresses and corrects
them one
at a time very systematically. Holland is a good exegete (his ability to
interpret Paul is a major strength of the book) and I find myself
largely in agreement with him in most areas, including the New Exodus
themes he
finds in the New Testament. And his views of a multi-faceted
justification
(including a corporate element) are interesting and compatible with the
traditional
Protestant understanding of sola fide
I subscribe to. As Holland confirms, “the Jews had not fulfilled the
requirements of the law (and from the context this must refer to the moral
demands that it made), they must believe, repent, and be forgiven in order to
be justified (get right with God)” (p. 338). In his critique, Holland examines
all of Wright’s work on Paul, including the massive and recent 2-volume Paul and the Faithfulness of God. The
so-called “new perspective on Paul”, although refuted elsewhere, is, I think,
given the final death knell from Holland. There are just too many historical and
exegetical problems with it as the book shows. Holland’s chapters (chs. 2, 3, 4) on Paul’s
political, theological and intellectual identity are also fascinating and make
for good scholarly reading. These are other areas Wright has written on, but
which do not often get challenged. But Holland leaves no stone unturned. All in
all, I give Holland a hearty “amen” and recommend his book to everyone
interested in Paul, Wright, salvation and what the Bible broadly teaches.
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