Dever & Gathercole on the NPP

Over the weekend, finishing up this AM, I listened to Mark Dever's 9Marks interview (10/06) with Simon Gathercole and Peter Williams. The discussion was dominated by the New Perspective on Paul (NPP) which is Gathercole's area of expertise.

Dr Peter Williams was not brought into the discussion very much, which is a shame. At the time of the interview, he was a Senior Lecturer in New Testament at the University of Aberdeen, Scotland. He, now, is the Warden of Tyndale House in the UK. I would recommend that you read Justin Taylor's interview with Dr Williams.

Dr Simon Gathercole, at the time of the interview, was Senior Lecturer in New Testament at the University of Aberdeen, Scotland. He, now, is lecturer in New Testament Studies and Fellow, Fitzwilliam College, the University of Cambridge.

As Dever and Gathercole discussed the NPP issue, mention was made of Gathercole's book Where is Boasting? Early Jewish Soteriology and Paul's Response in Romans 1-5 (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2002) [CBD]. Dever asked if this book serves as a good starting point for someone interested in learning about the NPP issue. Gathercole said, "No," so Dever asked him to name a few that would be good. Here's the list I made from their discussion.

Simon Gathercole's recommendations for beginners...

1. Monographs -
1. Stuhlmacher, Peter. Revisiting Paul's Doctrine of Justification: A Challenge to the New Perspective. With an essay by Donald A. Hagner (IVP, 2001). [WTS | CBD]
2. Westerholm, Steve. Perspectives Old and New: The 'Lutheran' and His Critics. (Eerdmans, 2003). [WTS | CBD]
2. Commentaries on Romans -
1. Cranfield, C. E. B. Romans. ICC. 2 volumes (Continuum Int., 1979). [WTS | CBD]
1. Gathercole noted that, although dated in light of the NPP, this commentary continues to be viewed as "a standard." This unabridged set is recommended for the student who is able to deal with the Greek text.
2. Cranfield, C. E. B. Romans, Abridged. (Eerdmans, 1985). [CBD]
1. Gathercole noted that he recommends this to students who do not have a handle on the Greek text.
   
3. Schreiner, Thomas R. Romans. BECNT. (Baker, 1998). [WTS | CBD]
1. Schreiner does interact with the NPP in this commentary. Gathercole prefers this over that of Moo for its simplicity and clarity. Although Schreiner does interact with some other commentators, his exposition is not filled with citing secondary sources. (This is part of the design of the commentary series.)
   
4. Moo, Douglas. Romans. NICNT. (Eerdmans, 1996). [WTS | CBD]
1. Moo also interacts with the NPP in this commentary. Gathercole appreciates this commentary, but does not prefer it over Schreiner since Moo spends so much time interacting with other commentators. This is not a bad thing. However, for the pastor looking for good, quick help, Schreiner fits the bill best.

Of note is the fact that Gathercole does not recommend the commentary written by his former supervisor, James D. G. Dunn [WTS, vol 1 | WTS, vol 2 | CBD]. For one, Gathercole notes that Dunn's commentary is the first to implement the viewpoints of the NPP. Gathercole takes issue with Dunn on the point. Secondly, in Gathercole's opinion the WBC series is more encyclopedic in nature which makes it very difficult for a pastor to deal with in sermon preparation.

Mark Dever tossed out the following titles...

1. Kim, Seyoon. Paul and the New Perspective: Second Thoughts on the Origin of Paul's Gospel. (Eerdmans, 2001) [WTS | CBD]
   
2. Waters, Guy Prentiss. Justification and the New Perspectives on Paul: A Review and Response. (P&R, 2004). [WTS | CBD]

You may also be interested in reading the following article by Gathercole published in Christianity Today: "What Did Paul Really Mean?" (August 2007).
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Dever & Gathercole on the NPP