Children of Laughter and the Re-Creation of Humanity
The Theological Vision and Logic of Paul’s Letter to the Galatians
- Biblical Studies & Commentaries
- Publisher: Cascade Books (Wipf and Stock)
- Published: 2020
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Publisher's Description
Paul's passionate Letter to the Galatians has occasioned various perspectives (old, new, radical new, apocalyptic, etc.) for explaining Paul's defense of the "truth of the gospel" in it. This book makes an audacious claim that the allegorical passage of 4:21-5:1 is the best vantage point for configuring Paul's theological vision and logic in the letter. Offering a fresh approach for understanding Paul's allegorical practice, it demonstrates how both the Abraham narrative and the book of Isaiah function as a formative matrix for Paul's theology. With an in-depth analysis of these scriptural texts, Paul's two identifications for believers in Christ--belonging to the "Jerusalem above" and being "children of promise" in the pattern of Isaac--receive new clarity and precision. The investigative journey in this book discusses key concepts and texts from Galatians, and addresses questions concerning the shape of Paul's retelling of Israel's story in relation to Jews and Gentiles. The result is a well-grounded interpretation of Paul's conception of the gospel that made him new and continues to bring about new creation in our world.
Endorsements (4)
“In Pauline scholarship, the time to move beyond the ideologically colored discussion of the old, new, and radical new Paul is long overdue. In his well-grounded book, Samuel Tedder focuses on what Paul actually does in Galatians. In a thought-provoking way, Tedder displays how Paul builds up novel theology based on Abraham’s promise and Isaiah’s vision on restoration.”
“Offering a bold integrative reading of Galatians through the lens of 4:21–5:1, Tedder explores the intertextual contributions of Abraham’s family story and Isaiah’s vision to Paul’s proclamation of the gospel. Careful and provocative in its argument, Children of Laughter advances our understanding of Paul’s theological vision and its pastoral implications.”
“In a genuinely insightful and fresh reading of Paul’s ‘infamous’ Hagar and Sarah ‘allegory,’ Tedder’s location of Paul’s hermeneutical emphases is very much in the right place. Essential reading for anyone interested in the way Scripture shaped Paul’s understanding of what God did in Christ.”
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