Description
Book SynopsisOakes and Boakye rethink Galatians by examining the text as a vision for the lives of its hearers. They show how, in tackling the difficulties that he faces in Galatia, Paul offers a vision of what the Galatians are in their relationship with the living Christ. This offers a new understanding of the concept of unity in diversity expressed in Gal 3:28. The authors develop their views over six chapters. First, Oakes maps a route from the letter to a focus on its Galatian hearers and on Paul's vision for their identity and existence. In the next chapter, Oakes uses the Christology of Galatians as a way to support the idea of pistis as current relationship with the living Christ. Boakye then offers three chapters analysing the letter's scriptural quotations and ideas about salvation and law. Boakye sees a key dynamic at work in Galatians as being a movement from death to life, as prophesied metaphorically by Ezekiel and as made literal for Paul in his encounter with the resurrected Chris
Trade ReviewProvides meaningful contributions to significant debates on Galatians and advances these discussions. Any student of Galatians, as well as Paul’s larger theology, will be rewarded by engagement with these authors. * Biblische Notizen *
Peter Oakes and Andrew K. Boakye shed new light on classic topics like Paul’s faith language and his use of Old Testament texts in Galatians, while also drawing attention to underappreciated themes such as unity and new life. This is a theological introduction, a brief summary of key scholarship, and a fresh take — all packed into one concise book. * Nijay K. Gupta, Northern Seminary, USA *
What is Galatians all about? Peter Oakes and Andrew K. Boakye have each written separately on this letter, and have now teamed up to offer us a series of important perspectives. Their emphasis on the letter’s purpose — to offer a vision of a Spirit-enabled, reanimated communal life of unity in diversity, in relationship with the living Christ — rightly highlights what Paul himself highlights but interpreters sometimes miss. Their work should inform future conversation about this powerful Pauline letter and its significance both for Paul’s day and for ours. * Michael J. Gorman, St. Mary’s Seminary & University, USA *
Table of ContentsPreface 1. Introduction: Rethinking Galatians in terms of the Vision Offered to the Hearers 2. The Pistis of the Relational Christ 3. Scripture and Promise 4. Death, Life and Righteousness 5. Law and Spirit 6. Unity in Diversity in Christ 7. Conclusion Bibliography Indexes
