As a biblical motif, 'new creation' resonates throughout the pages of the Jewish and Christian Scriptures, and occupies a central place in the apostle Paul's vision of the Christian life. Yet the biblical and extra-biblical occurrences of this theme vary widely in meaning, referring to either a new cosmos, a new community, or a new individual. Beginning with the Old Testament and working through the important texts of Second Temple Judaism, Moyer V. Hubbard focuses on how the motif functions in the argument, strategy, and literary structure of these documents, highlighting its role as the solution to the perceived plight. He then explores in detail which senses of the term Paul intends in Galatians 6.15 and 2 Corinthians 5.17, concluding that 'new creation' in Paul's letters describes the Spirit-wrought newness of the person in Christ, and is fundamentally anthropological in orientation.
Industry Reviews
'A cogent and refreshing thesis that makes a valuable contribution to the interpretation of Paul's theology.' The Expository Times 'This is a very fine survey of a central theme in Paul and as such should prove valuable for scholars, students and the educated reader.' William S. Campbell, Scripture Bulletin 'This is an important book. Hubbard's case will be a force to reckon with in any further discussions regarding 'new creation' texts ... the overall picture he paints is impressive and worthy of extended consideration.' Reviews in Religion and Theology 'It is for this reviewer difficult to think of a more erudite monograph on a similar topic. It is most satisfying to find an English author so familiar with French and German scholarship. It deserves to be on the shelf of every Pauline scholar and NT theologian.' Neotestamentica 'This is one of those rare books which becomes compulsive reading. The discussion is illuminating, the engagement with Pauline scholarship impressive, the main thesis generally persuasive.' Evangelical Quarterly