'God is one'
Subtitle: the function of Eis ho Theos as a ground for Gentile inclusion in Paul's letters
By: Christopher R. Bruno
Series: Library of New Testament studies -- 497; T & T Clark library of biblical studies; Library of New Testament studies -- 497.; T & T Clark library of biblical studies
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Published: 2013
Place of publication: London
Language: eng
Number of pages: 243
ISBN-13: 9780567153135; 9780567155368
Copyright date: 2013
Subjects: Gentiles in the Bible; Simplicity; Bible; God; Criticism, interpretation; Monotheismus; Heide; Einheit; Gott
Description: "In discussions of Paul's letters, much attention has been devoted to statements that closely identify Christ with Israel's God (i.e., 1 Cor 8:6). However, in Rom 3:30 and Gal 3:20, Paul uses the phrase 'God is one' to link Israel's monotheistic confession and the inclusion of the Gentiles in the people of God. Therefore, this study traces the OT and early Jewish backgrounds of the phrase 'God is one' and their possible links to Gentile inclusion. Following this, Christopher Bruno examines the two key Pauline texts that link the confession of God as one with the inclusion of the Gentiles. Bruno observes a significant discontinuity between the consistent OT and Jewish interpretations of the phrase and Paul's use of 'God is one' in relation to the Gentiles. In the both the OT and early Jewish literature, the phrase functions as a boundary marker of sorts,distinguishing the covenant people and the Gentiles. The key exception to this pattern is Zech 14:9, which anticipates the confession of God as one expanding to the nations. Similarly, in Romans and Galatians, the phrase is not a boundary marker, but rather grounds the unity of Jew and Gentile. The context and arguments in Rom 3:30 and Gal 3:20 lead to the conclusion that Paul's monotheism must now be understood in light of the Christ event; moreover, Zech 14:9 may play a significant role in the link between Paul's eschatological monotheism and his argument for the inclusion of the Gentiles in Romans and Galatians."--Bloomsbury Publishing

In discussions of Paul's letters, much attention has been devoted to statements that closely identify Christ with Israel's God (i.e., 1 Cor 8:6). However, in Rom 3:30 and Gal 3:20, Paul uses the phrase "God is one" to link Israel's monotheistic confession and the inclusion of the Gentiles in the people of God. Therefore, this study traces the OT and early Jewish backgrounds of the phrase "God is one" and their possible links to Gentile inclusion. Following this, Christopher Bruno examines the two key Pauline texts that link the confession of God as one with the inclusion of the Gentiles. Bruno observes a significant discontinuity between the consistent OT and Jewish interpretations of the phrase and Paul's use of "God is one" in relation to the Gentiles. In the both the OT and earlyJewish literature, the phrase functions as a boundary marker of sorts, distinguishing the covenant people and the Gentiles. The key exception to this pattern is Zech 14:9, which anticipates the confession of God as one expanding to the nations. Similarly, in Romans and Galatians, the phrase is not aboundary marker, but rather grounds the unity of Jew and Gentile. The contextand arguments in Rom 3:30 and Gal 3:20 lead to the conclusion that Paul's monotheism must now be understood in light of the Christ event; moreover, Zech14:9 may play a significant role in the link between Paul's eschatological monotheism and his argument for the inclusion of the Gentiles in Romans and Galatians
Notes: Revision of the author's thesis (Ph. D.)--Wheaton College (Ill.), 2010.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 207-228) and indexes.

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Table of contents: title: Introduction; title: 'God is one' in the Old Testament; title: 'God is one' in early Jewish literature; title: 'God is one' in Romans 3.30; title: 'God is one' in Galatians 3.20; title: Conclusion.