Galatians Reconsidered

Might cultural habits and convictions of their pre-Christian past affect the way converts discern rival interpretations of their new-found faith? In this compelling and original study, Neil Martin argues from a wide range of ancient primary sources that this is what lies behind Paul’s puzzling warning to Gentile Galatians: having come to faith in Christ, their additional adoption of Jewish observance would for them entail going back to problematic patterns of their pre-Christian past. An excellent case study in how to bring the rewards of careful historical scholarship to the service of contemporary theological, pastoral and missional engagement! -- Markus Bockmuehl, Dean Ireland’s Professor of the Exegesis of Holy Scripture, University of Oxford
Neil Martin has accomplished something to which few writers in the crowded field of Pauline research should even aspire: saying something both new and significant about as foundational a concept as the reason for Paul’s sharp invective in Galatians. Appropriating the best insights of the old, new, and radical new perspectives on Paul, Martin comes down squarely in none of those camps. Instead, he argues that Paul’s biggest fears were about Gentile believers adopting Jewish laws and regressing to their previous, pagan attitudes of trying to incentivize the gods to bless them. Searching questions arise about how Christians today may be unwittingly doing the same things when they imitate cultural forms in church practices that do not invite new Christians to make clear breaks from their past. Here is a book to read slowly and reflect on in detail. * Craig L. Blomberg, Distinguished Professor Emeritus of New Testament, Denver Seminary, Littleton, CO *
Galatians is a puzzle in many ways, partly because Paul is so angry about encouraging Jewish practices that he is unconcerned about elsewhere. Neil Martin has more emotional intelligence than anyone I've ever met, so I'm not surprised he has found this solution to the conundrum. His suggestion, that Paul is concerned about the insidious effects of old habits, is so obvious once it's pointed out, it becomes difficult to read Paul's letter in any other way. In this work, he shows how churches in all cultures - not just those in first century Galatia - suffer from similar serious problems. * David Instone-Brewer, Senior Research Fellow, Tyndale House, Cambridge *
When writing on Galatians, scholars face two temptations. The first is the conceit that despite centuries of interpretation, you have, at long last, finally discovered the interpretive key to Paul’s most controverted letter. The other is to get so buried in minutiae that you lose touch with its life-changing relevance. In Galatians Reconsidered, Neil Martin admirably resists both temptations. Creatively drawing on an understanding of the power of habit, and applying this insight to the concern Paul has for the Galatians’ regression to the patterns of their pagan past, Martin offers a reading coherent for Pauline scholars that is also compelling for twenty-first century readers. Galatians is so much more than sophisticated soteriology; it's an actionable vision of Christian discipleship—as needed in Paul's day as it is in ours. While one may take issue with Martin’s interpretation, this is a brilliantly executed argument and a pleasure to read. Highly recommended! * Todd Wilson, PhD, Cofounder & President, The Center for Pastor Theologians *
Neil Martin interprets Galatians giving due weight to the fact that converts inevitably employ their existing cultural and religious resources to help understand and live their new faith. It makes a very significant difference, allowing Martin to illuminate the puzzle of Paul’s linking of the temptation for the Galatians to place themselves under the law with regression to their previous pagan religious practices (Gal 4:8-10). In the process critical questions are raised about Paul’s relationship with Judaism and a fresh discernment proposed of the contemporary significance of his struggle in Galatia. All interpreters of Galatians will benefit greatly from engagement with this stimulating and thoughtful perspective on the letter. * Stephen Chester, Lord and Lady Coggan Professor of New Testament, Wycliffe College, Toronto *
In Galatians Reconsidered, Neil Martin builds on the vast scope of Galatians scholarship and offers a new lens for understanding Paul’s arguments. Martin reframes the problem Paul is addressing in Galatians: not Jewish legalism or nationalism but Gentile regression. In this proposal, Paul is deeply concerned that Gentiles who have followed Jesus will take a stance toward the Torah that mirrors their own former, pagan law-keeping. A fresh and important contribution to the conversation. * Jeannine K. Brown, Bethel Seminary, Saint Paul, Minnesota *
Neil Martin offers an innovative and subtle interpretation of a number of the thorniest interpretative quandaries in Galatians. Along the way, he also provides a map of the main schools of Pauline theology, an introduction to the probable religious habits of the Galatians before their conversion, and an investigation of the contemporary relevance of Paul’s pastoral theology. Students of Paul’s letters (including those of us who have been reading Paul for years) are certain to come away wiser. * Nathan Eubank, Rev. John A. O'Brien Associate Professor of Theology, Notre Dame *
How can Paul say that for the Gentile Christians to keep the Jewish law would be for them to return to their pagan past? Without either taking Sinai to be a covenant of works or denying the threat of legalism in the human heart, Neil Martin offers a fresh reading of Galatians that explains why keeping the good law of God would have been so dangerous for these converted Gentiles. In the course of exploring the context and content of the letter he communicates deep exegetical and historical work with engaging clarity and the pace of a whodunnit. But the real sting comes at the end of the book when he brings Paul’s warnings as he has explained them to bear upon the contemporary church. This section will open up new vistas of application for preachers far beyond the standard quest for the contemporary Gentile equivalent to circumcision. Taken seriously, its searching critique has the potential to upturn our entire approach to evangelism and Christian discipleship. * Garry Williams, Director, Pastors Academy *
To some modern readers, Paul’s letter to the Galatians may appear to be more of a battleground for divergent perspectives within Pauline scholarship than a piece of pastoral communication. In Galatians Reconsidered, Neil Martin offers a fresh reading of Paul’s remarkable letter than engages carefully with the letter in its historical and literary context so as to highlight its pastoral and missiological impact. Martin argues creatively that Paul addresses not primarily the actual teaching of the Jewish ‘agitators’ but the way in which that teaching might have been understood by Galatians who were tempted to ‘regress’ to former pagan patterns of thought and behaviour. This is a fascinating study combining engaging prose with attention to detail. It has significance for understanding Paul’s ancient letter and for contemporary missiological practice. Students, preachers, and other serious readers will benefit from careful reading of this book. * Alistair I. Wilson, Lecturer in Mission and New Testament, Director of Postgraduate Studies, Edinburgh Theological Seminary *
Academically well researched, Neil Martin offers a reading of Galatians that reveals one of the key challenges of the churches in Paul’s era, yet often overlooked. I recommend this book to academics, pastors, and gospel workers who are interested in the shaping of communities that reflect great accommodation despite differences in the gospel community. * Rev Tayo Arikawe, International Director, Langham Partnership International *