Research Conference, March 6–7 mars 2025

Paul beyond Perspectives: Future Challenges in Pauline Studies (March 6–7, 2025)

 

Schedule 

Thursday March 6

10.00             Coffee, drop-in

10.30             Word of welcome and introduction: Mikael Tellbe (Associate Professor, ALT

School of Theology)

10.45             Main lecture I: Beverly Robert Gaventa (Professor, Baylor University, Waco), “Reaching Back to Move Forward: Reflecting on Our Predecessors in Pauline Interpretation”

11.15             Response (Ludvig Nyman, ThD cand, Lund University) and discussion

11.45             Main lecture II: Samuel Byrskog (Professor, Lund University), ”Past, Present and Future: Memory Studies and Paul’s Letter to the Romans”

12.15             Response (Rikard Roitto, Associate Professor, Stockholm School of Theology),

and discussion

12.45             Lunch

13.45             Main lecture III: Karl Olav Sandnes (Professor, MF Norwegian School of

Theology): “Corinthian Grace and Incongruity: Picking up on a Debate Between

John M.G. Barclay and Troels Engberg-Pedersen”

14.15             Response (David Nyström, PhD, Johannelund School of Theology) and

discussion

14.45             Coffee Break

15.15             Main lecture IV: Eve-Marie Becker (Professor, Münster University), “Paul in Light of Intellectual Leadership”

15.45             Response (Gunnar Samuelsson, ThD, Gothenburg University) and discussion

16.30             Short papers

18.30             Dinner

 

Friday March 7

09.00             Main lecture V: John M.G. Barclay (Professor, Durham University), “Paul within Judaism: Peering through the Fog of Debate”

09.30             Response (Magnus Zetterholm, Associate Professor, Lund University) and

discussion

10.00             Coffee Break

10.30             Main lecture VI: Karin Neutel (Associate Professor, Umeå University), “Paul

within Christianity: Old Habits and New Directions”

11.00             Response (Anna Enberg, ThD cand, Lund university) and discussion

11.30             Short papers

12.30             Lunch

13.30             Main lecture VII: James A. Kelhoffer (Professor, Uppsala university), “Paul on Persecution and the Parting of the Ways”

14.00             Response (Lena-Sofia Tiemeyer, Professor, ALT School of theology) and

discussion

14.30             Concluding reflections: Where do we go from here? (Mikael Tellbe)

15.15             Coffee

Over the past fifty years, Pauline studies have been largely shaped by the so-called "New Perspective on Paul" and the ensuing debates. This perspective generally seeks to understand Paul more within the context of Judaism, arguing that the doctrine of justification by faith primarily concerns how both Jews and non-Jews are included in the people of God. The "New Perspective on Paul" has aimed to challenge the traditional view of Judaism as a "religion of merit" and to move away from an overly individualistic and dogmatic (often Lutheran) interpretation of Paul.

This perspective has, in turn, given rise to what is often referred to as the "Radical New Perspective on Paul" or "Paul within Judaism." Proponents of this view argue that the "New Perspective" does not interpret Paul sufficiently within his Jewish context. They contend that Paul never broke with Judaism and saw no major theological issues with the Judaism to which he belonged and represented. Therefore, the message of justification by faith is primarily directed at Gentiles, not Jews.

The ongoing debate between advocates of these perspectives and those who support a more traditional interpretation has significantly influenced Pauline research over the past few decades. This discourse has led to many new insights and stimulating perspectives on Paul. But where do we go from here? What are the future challenges for Pauline studies? How might Pauline studies evolve beyond these perspectives? What has been overlooked, and what needs to be rediscovered?

This conference aims to bring together a group of experienced and senior international and national scholars with a particular focus on Pauline studies, along with several younger scholars, to reflect on the past decades and the future challenges in this field. Ample time will be provided during the various lecture sessions for reflection and discussion.

John M.G. Barclay (Durham University), Eve-Marie Becker (University of Münster), Samuel Byrskog (Lund University), Beverly Roberts Gaventa (Baylor University), James Kelhoffer (Uppsala University), Karin Neutel (Umeå University), Karl-Olav Sandnes (MF Norwegian School of Theology) and Mikael Tellbe (ALT School of Thelogy).