Paul and the Hermeneutics of Faith - (T&t Clark Cornerstones) 2nd Edition by Francis Watson (Paperback)

About the Book

Previous edition: London: T & T International, 2004.

Book Synopsis

In recent years, scholars from both Christian and Jewish backgrounds have tried to rethink the relationship between earliest Christianity and its Jewish milieu; and Paul has emerged as a central figure in this debate. Francis Watson contributes to this scholarly discussion by seeing Paul and his Jewish contemporaries as, above all, readers of scripture. However different the conclusions they draw, they all endeavour to make sense of the same normative scriptural texts - in the belief that, as they interpret the scriptural texts, the texts will themselves interpret and illuminate the world of contemporary experience.

In that sense, Paul and his contemporaries are standing on common ground. Far from relativizing their differences, however, it is this common ground that makes such differences possible. In this new edition Watson provides a comprehensive new introduction entitled 'A Response to My Critics' in which he directly engages with the critics of the previous edition. There is a substantial new Preface and two new Appendices, and the text has been fully revised throughout.

Review Quotes

Francis Watson has produced a magisterial work that significantly challenges existing readings of Paul on all sides and will influence subsequent interpretations for decades to come. Henceforth, responsible readers of Paul will need to wrestle with Watson's provocative and nuanced arguments regarding Paul's own responsible interpretation of Scripture... The detail of his textual analysis is breathtaking, and the consequent discussion is fascinating and instructive on many levels. We are all in his debt.
Susan Eastman, Journal of Biblical Literature

One of the most creative and innovative books ever written about Paul and scripture... Reviewers are too ready with the phrase 'ground-breaking', but Watson's book richly deserves it.
N.T. Wright, Paul and the Faithfulness of God

This book is a splendid piece of theological scholarship. It is completely up to date on the most important critical scholarship in the many fields it covers, displaying a sure and wholly independent judgement and an amazing technical expertise in places. It is innovative and perspicacious, but also well-balanced and catholic in its way of adjudicating well-known scholarly conundra.
Troels Engberg-Pedersen, Scottish Journal of Theology

About the Author

Francis Watson is Professor of New Testament Exegesis at the University of Durham, UK.