I just discovered, via the Krazy Celtic, that Gregory Soderberg has a blog.

Good times.

Mark Horne gives a clarifying post on Paul’s use of ‘works of the law’.

I’m quoting the three options he gives because Mark’s blogs have been known to be raptured on occasion. I don’t want to lose the clarity of these three simple options. But be sure to read the whole post

1. THE TRADITIONAL VIEW This is the view held by Norman Shepherd, Daniel Fuller and many others. It holds that those attempting to be justified by works were Jews (and heretical Christians who adopted that teaching) who believed that one would be pronounced righteous by God on the basis of one’s own meritorious works. Romans 9.30ff basically says that the the Jews insisted on viewing the law as a means of earning or meriting salvation rather than as a description of what faith looks like in covenantal life. The Law as an administration of the covenant of grace rather than a covenant of works simply commanded faith in Christ alone
2. THE “NEW PERSPECTIVE” This is the view held by N. T. Wright and Don Garlington. It holds that those attempting to be justified by works were Jews who believed that their graciously-given standing God’s preChristian covnenants (Abrahamic/Mosaic), and their continuation in that covenant, guarranteed they were accepted and would be accepted as righteous in God’s sight. If one is liberal or non-evangelical, this “continuation” can take on virtually pelagian overtones. But among Evangelical exponents, this is simply a matter of living by faith to fruitfulness (e.g. John 15.1ff). The “works” Paul opposes then, is loyalty to the law that demands one become Jewish to be a true covenant member. Uncircumcised believers are at best second-class citizens in the Kingdom. Paul considers this a denial of the Gospel which asserts that believers are one in Christ and that the Jewish particularism–which the Law of Moses and the covenant of circumcision created–has served its purpose and now must give way to the new creation in Christ.
3. THE ASSENT VIEW This view is a modern aberration. It claims that faith is nothing more than affirming certain propositions in one’s mind. By “works,” Paul means all other actions other than assenting to the proper facts of the Gospel.

I just watched a clip from the Ellen show, where she called Quiznos CEO Rick Shaden. Here’s a brief bit of dialogue..

Receptionist: Good Afternoon, Rick Shaden’s office. This is Lucy, may I help you?
Ellen: Hi Lucy! It’s Ellen DeGeneres calling.
Lucy: Excuse me, who is this?
Ellen: It’s Ellen DeGeneres.
Lucy: The Ellen Degeneres?
Ellen: Yes. Sometimes when I refer to myself, I don’t put the ‘The’ in front of it.
Lucy: [chuckle] I couldn’t help myself.
Ellen: And this is The Lucy?
Lucy: Yes, this is.
Ellen: The Lucy, is The Rick there?

I laughed heartily. The clip on on Quizno’s website, if you want to watch.