Tag Archives: Matthew Thiessen

This post marks the end of our series on Paul and Pneuma, Justin and Judaism. In this series I have argued that the reception of Paul’s letters in Justin’s Dialogue with Trypho demonstrates a transformation of Pauline concepts. Although Paul and Justin shared certain foundations—such as the authority of the scriptures of Judaism and ancestryContinue reading “Paul and Justin: Conclusions and Bibliography”

This post is part of an ongoing series on Paul and Pneuma, Justin and Judaism. As noted previously, in Paul’s day the conflagration centered on whether or not the Gentiles could be brought into the people of God.[1] For Paul, belonging to Christ did not negate the importance of proper genealogy; on the contrary, genealogicalContinue reading “Paul and Justin on the Identity of Israel”

This post is part of an ongoing series on Paul and Pneuma, Justin and Judaism. Paul refers to Abraham nineteen times in his undisputed letters, often citing God’s promise to Abraham, his faith, or status as intermediary.[1] Key for Paul’s theology was the genealogical function Abraham filled. Galatians 3:1-9 suggests that, for Paul, Abrahamic sonshipContinue reading “Paul and Justin on the Ancestry of Abraham”

This post is part of an ongoing series on Paul and Pneuma, Justin and Judaism. Turning to Justin’s views on pneuma, it is instructive that the Dialogue opens with reflections on his philosophical journey to Christianity, wherein he remarks that he learned “nothing new about God” while studying under the tutelage of a Stoic (Dial.Continue reading “Paul and Justin on Pneuma”

This post is part of an ongoing series on Paul and Pneuma, Justin and Judaism. Scholars have long noted that Paul and Justin differ on who possess Abraham as ancestor and who belongs to true Israel. Less satisfactory, however, have been explanations as to why Paul and Justin diverge over these claims. It is myContinue reading “Transformations of Pauline Theology in Justin’s Dialogue”

This post is part of an ongoing series on Paul and Pneuma, Justin and Judaism. Justin also develops his reading of the Old Testament beyond Paul, for many of Justin’s glosses on these passage emphasize the separateness of Christ-followers and Jews because of belief in Christ as the Messiah.[1] In the interpretation of the scriptures—especiallyContinue reading “The Letters of Paul in Justin Martyr (Part 2)”

This post is part of an ongoing series on Paul and Pneuma, Justin and Judaism. An astounding variety exists among the receptions of Pauline literature and thought in early Christian writings.[1] Though certainly not the first interpreter of Paul, Justin Martyr remains one of the most influential. Before turning to Justin’s specific receptions and transformationsContinue reading “The Letters of Paul in Justin Martyr (Part 1)”

This post is part of an ongoing series on Paul and Pneuma, Justin and Judaism. The status of the Gentiles within the Jesus Movement seems to have become a topic of concern soon after the death and resurrection appearances of Jesus in the mid-30’s CE. By the time Paul began his missionary work, likely inContinue reading “Paul and the Gentile Problem”

This post is part of an ongoing series on Paul and Pneuma, Justin and Judaism. Although numerous writings have been attributed to Justin throughout the years, only three extant works are believed to be authentic: the First and Second Apologies[1] and the Dialogue with Trypho the Jew.[2] While some scholars have questioned if Justin couldContinue reading “Justin’s Dialogue with Trypho”

This post is part of an ongoing series on Paul and Pneuma, Justin and Judaism. Justin occupies a relatively unique place in the history of Christianity, for not only was he a “mover between many worlds” but he also stood at the end of the apostolic age and the beginning of the apologetic period ofContinue reading “Who Was Justin Martyr?”