Rethinking Galatians: Pauls Vision of Oneness in the Living Christ

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Oakes and Boakye rethink Galatians by examining the text as a vision for the lives of its hearers. They show how, in tackling the difficulties that he faces in Galatia, Paul offers a vision of what the Galatians are in their relationship with the living Christ. This offers a new understanding of the concept of unity in diversity expressed in Gal 3:28. The authors develop their views over six chapters. First, Oakes maps a route from the letter to a focus on its Galatian hearers and on Pauls vision for their identity and existence. In the next chapter, Oakes uses the Christology of Galatians as a way to support the idea of pistis as current relationship with the living Christ. Boakye then offers three chapters analysing the letters scriptural quotations and ideas about salvation and law. Boakye sees a key dynamic at work in Galatians as being a movement from death to life, as prophesied metaphorically by Ezekiel and as made literal for Paul in his encounter with the resurrected Christ, trust in whom becomes the route to life. Life becomes a key category for evaluating law. Boakye also draws Galatians close to Romans 4 in seeing in both texts the promise of the birth of Isaac, with Paul closely tying that to the resurrection of Jesus. Oakes then argues that the letter has a thematic concern for unity in diversity. In the first instance this is between Jews and gentiles but, in principle, it is between any other socially significant pair of groups.

Reviews

Peter Oakes and Andrew K. Boakye shed new light on classic topics like Pauls faith language and his use of Old Testament texts in Galatians, while also drawing attention to underappreciated themes such as unity and new life. This is a theological introduction, a brief summary of key scholarship, and a fresh take all packed into one concise book. * Nijay K. Gupta, Northern Seminary, USA *
What is Galatians all about Peter Oakes and Andrew K. Boakye have each written separately on this letter, and have now teamed up to offer us a series of important perspectives. Their emphasis on the letters purpose to offer a vision of a Spirit-enabled, reanimated communal life of unity in diversity, in relationship with the living Christ rightly highlights what Paul himself highlights but interpreters sometimes miss. Their work should inform future conversation about this powerful Pauline letter and its significance both for Pauls day and for ours. * Michael J. Gorman, St. Marys Seminary & University, USA *

Author Bio

Peter Oakes is Rylands Professor of Biblical Criticism and Exegesis at the University of Manchester, UK. Andrew Boakye is a New Testament Critic and Lecturer in Religions and Theology at the University of Manchester, UK.