Abraham traditions in Middle Jewish literature : implications for the interpretation of Galatians and Romans
In the first three sections of the thesis it is shown how the figure of Abraham functioned in different types of Middle Jewish works. In several different contexts, Abraham functioned as the ideal Jew. The most popular traditions were that Abraham was the first monotheist and anti-idolater, he was obedient to the Mosaic law, and he was hospitable. In Galatians Paul employed the first two Jewish traditions of Abraham in the context of early Christianity to define those who are now members of the people of God. Paul argued forcefully that obedience to law was inferior to being ~in Christ~ (Gal 3:10- 12, 17, 19, 23-26) because his Jewish Christian opponents were employing the figure of Abraham who was obedient to the Mosaic law to persuade Gentile Christian converts to adhere to the law. The figure of Abraham as the first anti-idolater and monotheist further informed the interpretation of Galatians. Obedience to the law was tantamount to idolatry (Gal 4:1-11). All those who were true children of Abraham should shun the law, just as Abraham was known to have shunned idolatry. In Romans, Paul played upon the tradition which connected Abraham with the Mosaic law (Rom 4:3). He redefined the faith of Abraham as the
Calvert, Nancy Lynn
Bible
Abraham traditions in Middle Jewish literature : implications for the interpretation of Galatians and Romans. In the first three sections of the thesis it is shown how the figure of Abraham functioned in different types of Middle Jewish works. In several different contexts, Abraham functioned as the ideal Jew. The most popular traditions were that Abraham was the first monotheist and anti-idolater, he was obedient to the Mosaic law, and he was hospitable. In Galatians Paul employed the first two Jewish traditions of Abraham in the context of early Christianity to define those who are now members of the people of God. Paul argued forcefully that obedience to law was inferior to being ~in Christ~ (Gal 3:10- 12, 17, 19, 23-26) because his Jewish Christian opponents were employing the figure of Abraham who was obedient to the Mosaic law to persuade Gentile Christian converts to adhere to the law. The figure of Abraham as the first anti-idolater and monotheist further informed the interpretation of Galatians. Obedience to the law was tantamount to idolatry (Gal 4:1-11). All those who were true children of Abraham should shun the law, just as Abraham was known to have shunned idolatry. In Romans, Paul played upon the tradition which connected Abraham with the Mosaic law (Rom 4:3). He redefined the faith of Abraham as the
abraham tradition middle jewish literature implication interpretation galatians romans first three_section show figure abraham function different_type middle jewish work several_different context abraham function ideal jew popular tradition abraham first anti mosaic law galatians paul employ first_two jewish_tradition abraham context early_christianity define member people_god paul argue obedience law inferior christ gal jewish_christian opponent employ figure abraham mosaic law persuade gentile christian convert adhere law figure abraham first anti inform interpretation galatians obedience law idolatry gal true child abraham law abraham know idolatry romans paul play upon tradition connect abraham mosaic law rom redefine faith abraham