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Gibb, Iain (2017) Paul and the Psalms: Paul's Hermeneutic and Worldview

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Gibb, Iain (2017) Paul and the Psalms: Paul's hermeneutic and worldview. MTh(R) thesis. https://theses.gla.ac.uk/8599/ Copyright and moral rights for this work are retained by the author A copy can be downloaded for personal non-commercial research or study, without prior permission or charge This work cannot be reproduced or quoted extensively from without first obtaining permission in writing from the author The content must not be changed in any way or sold commercially in any format or medium without the formal permission of the author When referring to this work, full bibliographic details including the author, title, awarding institution and date of the thesis must be given Enlighten: Theses https://theses.gla.ac.uk/ [email protected] Paul and the Psalms: Paul’s Hermeneutic and Worldview By Iain Gibb A Thesis Submitted for the Degree of Master of Theology at the University of Glasgow in partnership with Edinburgh Theological Seminary 2017 Page 1 of 240 Contents Abstract ......................................................................................................................... 3 Acknowledgements ....................................................................................................... 4 1. Paul’s use of the Psalms ........................................................................................ 5 1.1. Introduction ................................................................................................... 5 1.2. What is a Worldview? ................................................................................... 9 1.3. Paul’s Hermeneutic Approach .................................................................... 12 1.4. Paul’s Worldview........................................................................................ 14 1.5. An insight into Paul’s worldview based on his use of the Psalms .............. 15 2. Paul’s and the Psalms: His Hermeneutic Approach ............................................ 16 2.1. Psalm 32 in Romans 4 ................................................................................. 16 2.2. Psalm 44 in Romans 8 ................................................................................. 46 2.3. Psalm 116 in 2 Corinthians 4 ...................................................................... 68 2.4. Conclusion: Paul and the Psalms: His Hermeneutic ................................... 93 3. Paul and the Psalms: His Worldview ................................................................ 107 3.1. Christology ................................................................................................ 107 3.2. Soteriology ................................................................................................ 141 3.3. Ecclesiology .............................................................................................. 167 3.4. Conclusion: Paul and the Psalms: His Worldview .................................... 199 4. Conclusion: Paul’s Hermeneutic and Worldview ............................................. 207 4.1. Psalms and the Christian Life ................................................................... 207 4.2. Psalms and the Christian Community ....................................................... 211 Bibliography ............................................................................................................. 222 Page 2 of 240 Abstract This research examines the role of the Psalms in the development of Paul’s understanding. There were many worldviews in Paul’s day, but Paul draws his inspiration from the ancient Hebrew Scriptures, which he states were “written down for our instruction”. Three citations from the Psalms are examined in detail. In each of these cases, it becomes clear that their full contribution to Paul’s argument is only obtained by viewing the quotation in the context of the whole Psalm, and its place in the Psalter. This is followed by looking at Paul’s references to the Psalms in three critical aspects of the Christian worldview: Christology, soteriology and ecclesiology. In common with other New Testament writers, Psalm 110 is applied to Christ, but so are many other Psalms, where the referent in the original was to God. The righteousness of God and the power of God for salvation celebrated in the Psalms are proclaimed to all nations in the gospel. The hope of the Psalmists that all peoples will worship the God of Israel becomes a reality, when Jew and Gentile become one, in Christ Jesus. In one context, when citing a Psalm, Paul claims to have the same spirit of faith. There is a clear case for saying that that attitude infuses all his references to the Psalms, and that the Psalms have informed his worldview. In this, Paul is a model for Christian believers everywhere. Page 3 of 240 Acknowledgements First and foremost, I wish to pay a tribute to my late wife, Edna. She encouraged me to begin this study, and I had just started when she took ill, very suddenly. All work had to be suspended. Five months later, the time of her departure had come. She had fought the good fight, she had finished the race, she had kept the faith. I also wish to pay tribute to the children whom God has given me, and whose support, through all that has happened, has been a source of strength and encouragement. A great debt of gratitude is also owed to my Professor and Supervisor John Angus MacLeod. His advice and guidance have been an invaluable asset. His patience has been exemplary, while still gently ensuring that we kept to agreed timescales. He also kept my focus on the subject, pointing out that many of the avenues I wanted to explore may have had merit, but were not germane to this particular study. An expression of thanks is also particularly due to my church family, Olivet Evangelical Church in Falkirk. They took great interest in my studies, and ceaselessly prayed for me. I am also thankful to Edinburgh Theological Seminary for the excellent resources available, and for making this long process as enjoyable as possible. Page 4 of 240 Paul and the Psalms: His Hermeneutic and Worldview 1. Paul’s use of the Psalms 1.1. Introduction Extensive work has been carried out on the importance of understanding the Old Testament quotations in the New Testament.1 This research narrows the topic down 1 Gregory K. Beale and Don A. Carson, Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament, (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2007); Gregory K. Beale, Handbook on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament: Exegesis and Interpretation, (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2012); David B. Capes, Old Testament Yahweh Texts in Paul’s Christology, (Tubingen: J. C. B. Mohr, 1992); Don A. Carson and H. G. M. Williamson, It is Written: Scripture citing Scripture: Essays in honour of Barnabas Lindars, (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1988 – reprinted 2008); Charles H. Dodd, According to the Scriptures, (London: Fontana, 1952); E. Earle Ellis, Paul’s Use of the Old Testament, (Eugene: Wipf and Stock, 2003 – previously published by Baker House, 1981); Craig A Evans and James A. Sanders, Paul and the Scriptures of Israel, (Sheffield: Journal for the Study of the New Testament, 1993 – republished by Bloomsbury Academic, 2015); Richard B. Hays, Echoes of Scripture on the Letters of Paul, (New Haven: Yale University Press, 1989); Richard B. Hays, The Conversion of the Imagination: Paul as Interpreter of Israel’s Scripture, (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2005); S. Lewis Johnson, Jr The Old Testament in the New: An argument for Biblical Inspiration, (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1980); Walter C. Kaiser, The Uses of the Old Testament in the New, (Chicago: Moody, 1985); Barnabas Lindars, New Testament Apologetic, (London: SCM Press, 1961); Richard N. Longenecker Biblical Exegesis in the Apostolic Period, (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 12975); David P. Moessner, Daniel Marguerat, Page 5 of 240 to reviewing the use of the book of Psalms by the Apostle Paul. How did the Psalms, expressions of Old Testament piety, come to form such a distinctive place in the thinking of the early church? How did Paul, who would have grown up knowing the Psalms and understanding them in the context of Second Temple Judaism, re- orientate his understanding in the light of Jesus Christ? The essential pillars for the transformation of Paul’s worldview were all in place on the Damascus Road and in the days immediately following.2 Were the Psalms instrumental in developing and shaping Paul’s new worldview?3 Mikeal C. Parsons and Michael Wolter, Paul and the Heritage of Israel: Paul’s Claim upon Israel’s Legacy in Luke and Acts in the Light of the Pauline Letters, (London: Bloomsbury T & T Clark, 2012); Steve Moyise, The Old Testament in the New, (London: Continuum, 2001); Steve Moyise, Evoking Scripture: Seeing the Old Testament in the New, (London: T & T Clark, 2008); Steve Moyise, Paul and Scripture, (London: SPCK: 2010). 2 His belief in who Jesus was, changed totally when he said “Who are you, Lord?” (Acts 9:5). The God of Israel was the Christian God: “The God of our fathers appointed you to know his will, to see the Righteous One and to hear a voice from his mouth” (Acts 22:14). He received his commission: “you will be his witness for him to everyone of what you have seen and heard” (Acts 22:15). The gospel was for all people: “a witness for him to everyone” (Acts 22:15). The people of God were those who called on the name of Jesus: “Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name” (Acts 22:16). 3 James W. Sire, Naming the Elephant:
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