New Creation in Paul's Letters and Thought

Moyer. V. Hubbard offers a full investigation of St Paul's understanding of 'new life' and 'new creation'.

Moyer V. Hubbard (Author)

9780521814850, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 11 July 2002

308 pages
21.6 x 14 x 2.1 cm, 0.54 kg

'This is one of those rare books which becomes compulsive reading. The discussion is illuminating, the engagement with Pauline scholarship impressive, the main thesis generally persuasive.' Evangelical Quarterly

As a biblical motif, 'new creation' resonates throughout the pages of the Jewish and Christian scriptures, and occupies a central place in the apostle Paul's vision of the Christian life. Yet the biblical and extra-biblical occurrences of this theme vary widely in meaning, referring to either a new cosmos, a new community, or a new individual. Beginning with the Old Testament and working through the important texts of Second Temple Judaism, Moyer V. Hubbard focuses on how the motif functions in the argument, strategy, and literary structure of these documents, highlighting its role as the solution to the perceived plight. He then explores in detail which senses of the term Paul intends in Galatians 6.15 and 2 Corinthians 5.17, concluding that 'new creation' in Paul's letters describes the Spirit-wrought newness of the person in Christ, and is fundamentally anthropological in orientation.

1. Introduction: the current debate
Part I. New Creation: Central Jewish Texts: 2. New creation in the Jewish scriptures: an overview
3. New creation in apocalyptic Judaism: Jubilees
4. New creation in diaspora Judaism: Joseph and Aseneth
Part II. From Death to Life: New Creation in the Contours of Paul's Thought: 5. From death to life: Prolegomena
6. Newness of life: Romans 6.1–11
7. Newness of the Spirit: Romans 7.1–6
8. Spirit, newness, life: The Pauline antecedents
9. Crucified with Christ: Galatians 2.19–20
Part III. The Old and the New: New Creation in the Context of Paul's Letters: 10. If anyone be in Christ: 2 Corinthians 5.17
11. Neither circumcision, nor uncircumcision: Galatians 6.15
12. Summary and conclusions.

Subject Areas: Biblical studies & exegesis [HRCG]