A comprehension of Paul's understanding of the law and justification has been a perennial problem for historians and theologians. The need for further clarity has given rise to this collection of essays by an international list of esteemed scholars who seek, in the first of two volumes, to illuminate the complexities of the Judaism of Jesus' (and Paul's) day. Was it a legalistic religion that taught one could be justified before God by obeying law? Was it even one religion, or was it a collection of traditions with some similarities and many dissimilarities?

A second volume is forthcoming which will further this discussion among scholars through an evaluation of the paradoxes of Paul.

D. A. Carson (Ph.D., University of Cambridge) is research professor of New Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He is the author or editor of over forty books.
Peter T. O’Brien (Ph.D., University of Manchester) is senior research fellow at Moore Theological College where he teaches New Testament and missions.
Mark A. Seifrid (Ph.D., Princeton Theological Seminary) is professor of New Testament interpretation at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.