In response to Chris Tilling's Paul, Judaism and Methodology (a poem), here's my attempt at a poetic evaluation of the New Perspective on Paul.
N. T. Wright’s the doyen of New Perspective Theology.
He says, “It’s all about the exile, don’t you see.”
Paul wasn’t bothered by the introspective conscience of the West,
Palestinian Judaism liked grace best.
The Reformers thought that Judaism was into merit,
But they were as wrong as a blind ferret.
Best to follow Saunders E.P.
He’s the man to set your mind free.
But is faith really just a boundary mark?
Those NPP boys are in the wrong ball park.
Cos none can be saved by the works of the law.
By grace through faith, that’s what Paul saw.
If we get in by grace and stay in by law,
That still leaves us feeling sore.
We can’t stay in by what we do.
We need a covenant that’s, like totally new.
Don’t be taken in, don’t be a fool!
Maybe NPP isn’t so cool.
Wright’s a scholar, bishop and very nice man,
But he’s quite wrong on justification.
Maybe NPP is just a fad,
Like the kipper tie worn by your dad.
So think about it, proceed with caution,
And read The Great Exchange by P. H. Eveson.
He says, “It’s all about the exile, don’t you see.”
Paul wasn’t bothered by the introspective conscience of the West,
Palestinian Judaism liked grace best.
The Reformers thought that Judaism was into merit,
But they were as wrong as a blind ferret.
Best to follow Saunders E.P.
He’s the man to set your mind free.
But is faith really just a boundary mark?
Those NPP boys are in the wrong ball park.
Cos none can be saved by the works of the law.
By grace through faith, that’s what Paul saw.
If we get in by grace and stay in by law,
That still leaves us feeling sore.
We can’t stay in by what we do.
We need a covenant that’s, like totally new.
Don’t be taken in, don’t be a fool!
Maybe NPP isn’t so cool.
Wright’s a scholar, bishop and very nice man,
But he’s quite wrong on justification.
Maybe NPP is just a fad,
Like the kipper tie worn by your dad.
So think about it, proceed with caution,
And read The Great Exchange by P. H. Eveson.
"Don’t be taken in, don’t be a fool!
ReplyDeleteMaybe NPP isn’t so cool"
:-)
"Wright’s a scholar, a bishop and a very nice man,
But he’s quite wrong on justification"
That doesn't rhyme!
Real fun to read - even if I think the characature of the NP is wrong! A great job!
"Wright’s a scholar, a bishop and a very nice man,
ReplyDeleteBut he’s quite wrong on justification"
It so does rhyme if you pronounce justification with a Welsh accent and say justifica-shan.
Anyway, at least some of my poem rhymed.
Caricature, me?
"It so does rhyme if you pronounce justification with a Welsh accent"!!!
ReplyDeleteSo does mine, all of it, if you pronounce it with a southern Serbian local dialect called sniffwangamooberobshop:
"when it comes to elucidating his Christology
over against forces in parts of the Religionsgeschichtliche Schulogy" etc
"So does mine [rhyme], all of it, if you pronounce it with a southern Serbian local dialect called sniffwangamooberobshop"
ReplyDeleteYeah right, boyo!
You're just jealous because:
"To be born Welsh is to be born privileged, not with a silver spoon in your mouth, but with poetry in your heart and a song in your soul."
Excellent use of rhyme and para rhyme (literary critique babble for not rhyming, but sounding good anyway).
ReplyDeleteReally enjoying your blog. Many of your comments are bang on the money, to my mind.
Keep up the good work, brother.