Destroying the Foundation of the New Perspective on Paul

The New Perspective on Paul (NPP), promoted by authors such as N.T. Wright, James Dunn, and E.P. Sanders, claims that the understanding of justification held by the Reformers and the evangelical church since the Reformation is erroneous—that they misinterpret Paul and the Judaism with which the apostle was dealing. The NPP claims to have a superior and more advanced understanding of Judaism, the literature, and the historical context of the Second Temple (515 BCE to 70 CE), thereby modifying the traditional understanding of Imputation, Justification, and Salvation. This is the foundation upon which the NPP builds its conclusions.

This important book seeks to show that the foundation of the NPP is fundamentally flawed and cannot bear the weight it claims to have, thereby undermining the entirety of the NPP. This is one of the most important books on a topic that is rapidly spreading in Latin America, and one that every pastor and student of the Scriptures should know.

Defenders of what is called the "New Perspective on Paul" will find much to consider in this work. Robert Cara is a specialist and adds new arguments against the NPP's interpretation. And yet, he writes in a way that makes the topics accessible to pastors who need adequate answers to this influential trend. I highly recommend it. MICHAEL HORTON J. Gresham Machen Professor of Systematic Theology and Apologetics at Westminster Theological Seminary in California, Escondido, California

The New Perspective is no longer new, but its influence is still felt. Robert Cara directs our attention to the primary sources—to what the texts themselves say. The claim that Second Temple Judaism is free from works-righteousness—Cara demonstrates—does not agree with the sources. A serious look at the evidence reveals that works-righteousness was taught by some Second Temple Jews. Cara also investigates later Pauline writings, which are often neglected in the discussion. We see in Ephesians, 1 Timothy, and Titus a polemic against works-righteousness. Cara justifies his interpretation with careful exegesis of the key texts from these letters. Cara writes in an engaging and understandable style, showing that the Reformed interpretation is faithful to Paul's theology. THOMAS R. SCHREINER James Buchanan Harrison Professor of New Testament Interpretation and Associate Dean at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky