paternoster biblical monographs

The Saving Righteousness of God

Studies on Paul, Justification and the New Perspective

Michael F. Bird

Wipf & Stock

PUBLISHERS

Eugene, Oregon

Wipf and Stock Publishers

199 W 8th Ave, Suite 3

Eugene, OR 97401

The Saving Righteousness of God

Studies on Paul, Justification, and the New Perspective

By Bird, Michael

Copyright©2007 Paternoster

ISBN 13: 978-1-55635-274-4

ISBN 10: 1-55635-274-3

Publication date 2/12/2007

This edition published by Wipf and Stock Publishers in arrangement with Paternoster

Series Preface

One of the major objectives of Paternoster is to serve biblical scholarship by providing a channel for the publication of theses and other monographs of high quality at affordable prices. Paternoster stands within the broad evangelical tradition of Christianity. Our authors would describe themselves as Christians who recognise the authority of the Bible, maintain the centrality of the gospel message and assent to the classical credal statements of Christian belief. There is diversity within this constituency; advances in scholarship are possible only if there is freedom for frank debate on controversial issues and for the publication of new and sometimes provocative proposals. What is offered in this series is the best of writing by committed Christians who are concerned to develop well-founded biblical scholarship in a spirit of loyalty to the historic faith.

Series Editors

I. Howard Marshall, Honorary Research Professor of New Testament, University of Aberdeen, Scotland, UK

Richard J. Bauckham, Professor of New Testament Studies and Bishop Wardlaw Professor, University of St. Andrews, Scotland, UK

Craig Blomberg, Distinguished Professor of New Testament, Denver Seminary, Colorado, USA

Robert P. Gordon, Regius Professor of Hebrew, University of Cambridge, UK

Tremper Longman III, Robert H. Gundry Professor and Chair of the Department of Biblical Studies, Westmont College, Santa Barbara, California, USA

For Alexis and Alyssa

In the hope that you both will one day stand with Phoebe and Priscilla among the churches of Paul

Contents

Preface

Abbreviations

Chapter 1

Introduction

1.1 Wrestling with Paul

Chapter 2

The Riddle of Righteousness

2.1 Introduction

2.2 Imputed or Imparted Righteousness?

2.3 Righteousness as Relational or Adherence to a Norm?

2.4 Righteousness as Transformative or Forensic?

2.5 Righteousness, Jewish Particularism and Covenant?

2.5.1 Jewish Particularism and Righteousness

2.5.2 God’s Righteousness and Covenant

Chapter 3

Raised for our Justification

3.1 Introduction

3.2 1 Corinthians 15:17

3.3 Romans 1–5

3.4 1 Timothy 3:16

3.5 Resurrection and the Future Judgment

3.6 Conclusion

Chapter 4

Incorporated Righteousness

4.1 Introduction

4.2 A Short History of Imputed Righteousness

4.3 A Reckoning over Imputed Righteousness

4.4 Clarifying the Debate

4.5 Incorporated Righteousness

4.5.1 Romans 4:1–25

4.5.2 Romans 5:18–19

4.5.3...