Not My People: Gentiles as Exiles in Pauline Hermeneutics

David Starling‘s recently published dissertation has received quite a favourable review. Here are some choice excerpts from the review, which made me cheer:

[T]he situation of the Israel under judgment in Gal 2:15–4:11 corresponds to the existence of the godless Gentile sinners, and the corollary is that believing and justified Gentiles obtain the same position as Jews justified by faith. Therefore, in Christ all alike share the same biblical promises.

As expressed in Romans, the story of Israel concludes in sin, exile, and, ultimately, restoration. Ironically, Israel’s existence under the law is used to illustrate the common experience shared by Jews and Gentiles alike: all are fleshly and under sin.

And in Ephesians,

Gentiles find salvation not by being joined to a living Israel as proselytes, but by being raised with a dead Israel from the grave of their exile, as beneficiaries with them of the grace and mercy of God


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2 responses to “Not My People: Gentiles as Exiles in Pauline Hermeneutics”

  1. David Starling

    Glad you enjoyed the review! It was nice to have a reviewer who had taken the time to read the book properly and gave a description of what was in it, not just an opinion about it. At a few points his summary didn’t exactly correspond to the meaning I had intended to convey, but that’s par for the course, I think!

    Hope you’re closing in on completion and enjoying pulling the threads together

    Blessings

    David

  2. I can understand why you cheered – although not surprised that Starlo’s book makes the argument it (apparently) does. It was nice to read a review that conveys some detail of the argument. Just wish I could afford to get the book . . . oh well, I guess that is what Libraries are for!

    I hope your research has been a blessing,

    Richard