Daniel Atkins

‘Abraham, the Righteous Gentile: Paul’s Proleptic Reading of Abraham’s Story in Romans and Galatians as Narrative Basis for His Mission’ (NTC)

The thesis investigates how Paul’s reading of the Abrahamic narrative in Galatians and Romans grounds and supports his missional praxis amongst non-Jewish peoples. It considers both the narrative and theological dynamics of the Abraham cycle in Genesis, as well as the reception of the Abrahamic narrative in the scriptures of Israel and the Second Temple Period (STP). After this initial investigation, the thesis considers Paul’s broader scriptural hermeneutic in light of differing approaches to the question of God and covenantal history in the STP. Paul's hermeneutic appears to be shaped by his Christological monotheism, allowing him to see various types of ‘Christological correspondences’ between Israel’s history and God’s activity in his mission. Finally, the study brings STP reception of the Abrahamic narrative and Paul’s Christological hermeneutic in conversation with his use of the Abrahamic narrative in Galatians 3:1-4:7, 4:21-5:1 and Romans 4:1-25. Paul reads the Abrahamic narrative in such a way that God’s action toward uncircumcised, non-Jewish peoples in the context of his mission is shown to be congruent with the very nature of Israel’s origins. Thus, his missional praxis is a rightful expression of his own Jewish identity.

Supervisors: Dr Kent Brower and Dr Dean Flemming

Along with being engaged in academic research and studies, Daniel has a range of interests. First and foremost, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Taylor. He also likes to be out in nature, is eager to continue to find new places to backpack, and loves opening a new book. He is on track to be ordained in the Church of the Nazarene. After five years of leading various church communities in Germany, he now lives in Nampa, Idaho where he is an Adjunct Professor (Northwest Nazarene University) and a Community Outreach Pastor (Nampa College Church). Finally, he loves the rain.

Email: datkins@nazarene.ac.uk