Galatians Reconsidered

Contents
Preface and Acknowledgements xiii
Prologue xvii
Part I
OPENING UP THE TEXT
1 The Problem With the Problem in Galatia 3
Introduction 3
1 Knowns and Unknowns in the Context 3
2 Incongruities in the Text 6
2.1 The Integrity of Paul's Argument 6
2.2 The Complexity of Paul's Stance Concerning Law 7
2.3 The Extremity of Paul's Warnings 9
2.4 The Apparent Incoherence of Paul's Regression Language 10
3. The Problem With the Problem in Galatia 12
2 A Jewish Problem 13
Introduction 13
1 The Old Perspective on Paul 14
1.1 The Old Perspective Under Scrutiny 15
1.2 The Old Perspective in Galatians 17
2 The New Perspective on Paul 21
2.1 New Perspectives Under Scrutiny 22
2.2 New Perspectives in Galatians 25
3 A Gentile Problem 28
Introduction 28
1 Gentile Political Identity 28
2 Gentile Theological Identity 31
2.1 The Radical New Perspective on Paul 32
2.2 Gentiles and the Law 36
Part II
GOING BACKWARDS IN GALATIA
4 A Disconcerting Diagnosis 43
Introduction 43
1 Troubling Logic 43
2 Logic That's Integral to the Argument of the Letter 47
2.1 Prevalence 47
2.2 Structure 51
2.3 Significance 53
5 Going Backwards to a Jewish Past 55
Introduction 55
1 Into the Past 55
2 Godfearers in Asia Minor 59
3 The Godfearing Lifestyle 63
4 Regression to a Godfearing Past 66
5 Regression in the General Direction of Judaism 69
6 Going Backwards to a Gentile Past 72
Introduction 72
1 Setting Expectations 74
2 Into the Past 75
2.1 Literary Memories 78
2.2 Memories on Stone 79
3 Regression in Galatia 86
4 Conclusions 89
7 Going Backwards to 'the Present Evil Age' 91
Introduction 91
1 Convergence and Divergence in the Apocalyptic Paul 93
2 Apocalyptic Takes on Regression 96
2.1 J. Louis Martyn 97
2.2 Martinus de Boer 98
2.3 John Barclay 100
2.4 Brant Pitre, Michael Barber and John Kincaid 102
8 Going Backwards in Corinth and Rome 105
Introduction 105
1 The Weak and the Strong 105
2 Weakness and Strength in Corinth 106
3 Weakness and Strength in Romans 111
4 Weakness and Strength in Galatians 115
9 Going Backwards in Galatia 118
Introduction 118
1 Returning to the Stoicheia 121
2 Reading Stoicheia in Context 124
2.1 Calendrical Observances 125
2.2 Thought Experiments in Regression 129
3 Sketching the Galatian Crisis 132
Part III
GOING FORWARDS WITH PAUL
10 Faith and Works, Law and Gospel 141
Introduction 141
1 Justification 144
2 Obeying the Law 148
3 The Curse of the Law 152
4 Jewish Legalism 156
11 Growing to Maturity 159
Introduction 159
1 Regression Meets Ethics 160
2 Spiritual Transformation 164
3 Symptomatic and Systemic Responses to the Galatian Problem 167
12 Pastoral Priorities 170
Introduction 170
1 Accommodation and the Agitators 170
2 The Parting of the Ways 172
3 Accommodation in Paul 175
4 Accommodation Today 177
13 Voices From the Past 180
Introduction 180
1 Recognizing Regression - Ignatius, Justin, Origen 180
2 Resisting Regression - Tertullian, Cyprian, Origen 183
3 Disregarding Regression - Gregory Thaumaturgus,
Gregory the Great 185
4 Regression and Retrojection - Luther 187
14 Challenges and Opportunities for the Present 191
Introduction 191
1 Pagan Post-Modernity 193
2 Running on the Rails of Ritual 195
3 Making it Tangible 198
4 Exhortation 200
Inscription Corpora 203
Bibliography 205
Index of Ancient Sources 225
Index of Modern Authors 232
Index of Subjects 235