Reading Philippians After Supersessionism

Paul's letter to the Philippians has often been read as one of the apostle's clearest denials of his (previous) Jewish identity in order to preempt the ""Judaizing"" tactics of false teachers who might infiltrate the congregation. But is this really the problem that Paul is confronting? And did Paul really abandon his identity as a Jew in order to ""know Christ""? Furthermore, what should Paul's gospel converts understand about their own identity ""in Christ""? Zoccali provides fresh answers to these questions, offering a more probable alternative to the traditional view that Christianity has replaced Judaism (supersessionism). Tracing Paul's theology in the light of social theory, Zoccali demonstrates that, for Paul, the ethnic distinction between Jew and gentile necessarily remains unabated, and the Torah continues to have a crucial role within the Christ-community as a whole. Rather than rejecting all things Jewish (or gentile), Paul seeks in this letter to more firmly establish the congregation's identity as members of God's holy, multiethnic people. ""Zoccali provides the most extended treatment available of Philippians 3 from within the view that sees the church, including Pauline congregations, remaining within Judaism. In his look at the whole of Philippians, he helpfully reclaims imitation as a proper mode of instruction and exhortation. His clear discussion of the place of Torah and righteousness in Paul's thought is valuable for studies across the Pauline corpus."" --Jerry L. Sumney, Professor of Biblical Studies, Lexington Theological Seminary ""Chris Zoccali presents a carefully argued reading of key texts of Philippians. The combination of exegetical, socio-historical, and social-scientific methods leads to illuminating insights rendering this a highly important contribution to a non-supersessionist interpretation of the Pauline letters."" --Kathy Ehrensperger, Research Professorship New Testament in Jewish Perspective, University of Potsdam Christopher Zoccali (University of Wales, Trinity St. David) is an independent scholar in Rochester, NY. He is the author of Whom God Has Called: The Relationship of Church and Israel in Pauline Interpretation, 1920 to the Present (Pickwick, 2010).