The Problem of Christocentrism according to Paul's Language about God: A New Perspective

The Problem of Christocentrism according to Paul's Language about God: A New Perspective

YEE Tet Lim

A reassessment of Paul as a devout Jew and a firm follower of the Messiah Jesus means there is a need to reinterpret the mechanics of Paul's “conversion”, his understanding of the (works of the) Law, the covenant, the faithfulness of God and christology. For Chinese Christians (ie Mandarin speaking and provincial dialects) whose understanding of salvation vis-à-vis the Chinese history of introspective conscience which is mainly due to the influence of Confucius, the question of Pygmalion effects causes concern and the distinctively cultural imagination and habitus of the Chinese reading of Paul has become an issue of contention. Besides, is Christianity in Asia anti-Semitic/anti-Judaism? Have Asian Chinese-bred interpreters of Paul become complicits of the older perspective in their interpretation of Judaism, ie by default ?

The present essay also reexamines the belated impact of the “New Perspective on Paul” (NPP) on Asian Christianity and our understanding of monotheism, Christ and the significance of the Gospel which is argued in this essay as that which the faithful God promises (Rom . 1:1-5).