becoming

Through FB, Ed Hird points me to this wonderful interview with Richard Hays of Duke University:

I was saying that “love” cannot function as a focal image or common denominator to bring the diverse NT witnesses into a relation of unity. There are two reasons for this: (1) several of the major NT writings have very little to say about love (Mark, Acts, Hebrews, Revelation); (2) “love” by itself is a concept, not an image; it must be given narrative specification by the story of the cross. (That is why I propose the cross as one of three focal images for NT ethics, along with community and new creation.) Otherwise, “love” cannot be distinguished from whatever the Beatles vaguely meant when they sang, “All you need is love.”

Any of you interested to understand this world renowned Pauline scholar, this is a good place to start.

[Read it all here]