The Blessing of Abraham, the Spirit, and Justification in Galatians: Their Relationship and Significance for Understanding Paul’s Theology

by Chee-Chiew Lee

Publisher:

Wipf and Stock

, 2013

Overview

What has the Spirit to do with the blessing of Abraham and justification? This book challenges the common assumption that the Abrahamic blessing and the Spirit are equated in Gal 3:14 and points out how an accurate understanding of the relationship between these two motifs contributes significantly to appreciating Paul’s overall argument in Galatians and his theology of justification. Even though Paul does not cite Old Testament passages on the promise of the Spirit in Gal 3:1-14, his arguments are nonetheless deeply influenced by the whole prophetic tradition about the Spirit. Most current discussions on the present and future aspects of justification have yet to consider the Spirit’s role in the latter. Given the renewed interest in Pauline justification, this book contributes to this important aspect of the Spirit’s role in future justification, which needs to be developed further in Pauline and New Testament theology.

Key Features

• Addresses the common assumption that the Abrahamic blessing and the Spirit are equated in Gal 3:14
• Explores the Spirit’s role in future justification
• Provides careful and even exegetical work in both Old Testament and New Testament

Contents

• Foreword by Douglas Moo
• Introduction: The Juxtaposition of the Blessing of Abraham and the Spirit in Galatians 3:14
• Justification by Faith: The Context of Galatians 3:14
• The Beginning of the Blessing of Abraham: Genesis and the Rest of the Pentateuch
• The Spirit’s Role in the Blessing of Abraham: Development in Other Old Testament Texts
• The Spirit’s Temporary Absence in the Blessing of Abraham: Development in the Second Temple Literature
• The Spirit’s Relationship with the Blessing of Abraham in Galatians: Implications on Justification by Faith

Praise for the Print Edition

I welcome a book, such as the one I here commend, for its argument for continuity across the testaments. But it is not only its conclusion that I welcome. Facile claims for harmony between the testaments are all too common; too many sweep awkward exegetical details under the rug in order to keep conclusions neat and tidy. Not the least of the virtues of Chee-Chiew Lee's book is her determination to tackle the specifics of the text at the same time as she seeks to move from those specifics to wider biblical, theological conclusions.

—Douglas Moo

Product Details

• Title: The Blessing of Abraham, the Spirit, and Justification in Galatians
• Author: Chee-Chiew Lee
• Publisher: Wipf and Stock
• Print Publication Date: 2013
• Pages: 256
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Resource ID: LLS:BLSSNGBRHMGLTNS
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2020-10-06T19:31:22Z

About Chee-Chiew Lee

Chee-Chiew Lee is assistant professor of New Testament at Singapore Bible College in Singapore. Her PhD in biblical theology is from Wheaton College.

Sample Pages from The Blessing of Abraham, the Spirit, and Justification in Galatians: Their Relationship and Significance for Understanding Paul’s Theology