Paul and the Law (Revised)

""Anyone who has studied Paul knows that probably the most complex problem he develops is his view of the law and its purpose. The beauty of Raisanen's work is that he recognizes and respects this complexity without himself becoming too dense to understand. Raisanen finds that Paul's radicalized, negative criticism of the law is peculiar to him, unparalleled in the NT and without precedent in Jewish thought. With careful, patient examination of various contexts, Raisanen leads his readers to see that Paul has an oscillating, even inconsistent view of the law. . . . This book is well-written in clear, readable English. It is an important book, recommended to any serious student of Paul. Its strength is in Raisanen's willingness to abandon preconceptions of what Paul's view on the law should be according to some consistent plan and in allowing Paul to speak for himself."" -- Mary Ann Getty in The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 1985, No. 47