Book Launch with Dr. Matthew J. Thomas
This event has now ended. Please view this page to see all our upcoming events.
Please join us as the Regent College Bookstore hosts Dr. Matthew J. Thomas for the launch of his new book, Paul's "Works of the Law" in the Perspective of Second-Century Reception.
What did Paul mean by "works for the law?" Paul writes that we are justified by faith apart from "works of the law," a disputed term that represents a fault line between "old" and "new" perspectives on Paul. Was the apostle reacting against the Jews' good works done to earn salvation, or the Mosaic law's practices that identified the Jewish people? Matthew J. Thomas examines how Paul's second-century readers understood these points in conflict, how their readings relate to "old" and "new"perspectives, and what their collective witness suggests about the apostle's own meaning. Surprisingly, these early witnesses align closely with the "new" perspective, though their reasoning often differs from both modern viewpoints. They suggest that Paul opposes these works neither due to moralism, nor primarily for experiential or social reasons, but because the promised new law and covenant, which are transformative and universal in scope, have come in Christ.
Dr. Thomas is a graduate of Regent College (MCS '12), and the seeds of this book were planted through one of his papers in Christian Thought and Culture II while a Regent student, which led to his doctoral thesis at Oxford University. He is currently Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies at the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology in Berkley, California and a distance education instructor in Theology at Regent College.
Regent Bookstore Assistant Manager, Josh Wilhelm, will interview Matt on both the content and unique publishing journey of his work.
This conversation will be a wonderful opportunity not only to learn more about Pauline theology, but for student-scholars to also learn about the broader world of publishing and academia.
Questions for Dr. Thomas can be submitted to [email protected] during the live event.
Paul's "Works of the Law" in the Perspective of Second-Century Reception can be purchased by contacting the Regent College Bookstore, or through their direct-fulfillment service here.
