SHERMAN 'Getting in and Staying in' 113
salvation of all who believe, and (c) he will soon return to bring all things
to an end. To recognize Christ's lordship is not only to perceive his death
as sacrificial and atoning for past transgressions (Rom. 4.25) but also to
acknowledge it as UTTEp TTCXVTCOV and his resurrection as pointing the
believer forward to assurance of life with Christ (Rom. 14.8; 2 Cor. 5.14,
15). This 'transfer of lordship' is variously expressed, in terms of the
movement from OCTTIOTOS to TTIGTOS (bearing connotations of both belief
and faithfulness), and in terms of liberation (Rom. 8.12-17; cf. Gal. 4.6;
5.1). Sanders locates talk about the transition from unrighteousness to
righteousness and being justified (Gal. 2-3; Rom. 2-5) within the context
of this 'transfer terminology', relating to a complete change of orientation,
rather than the narrow and misleading discussion of works versus faith.
For all this, there remains unresolved tension in a reading of Paul's
conflict with regard to faith-works. He is reckoned by some to be incon-
sistent and self-contradictory,^5 though this may be accounted for by the
nature of his communications as occasional writings with pastoral intent,
rather than as works of systematic theology.^6 Nevertheless, however much
Paul was responding pastorally to the need to stress different aspects to
different churches, there still seems to be a lack of continuity and consis-
tency in his attitude to the law.
This may be traced as follows:
a. Concerning the continuing validity of the Law. Such claims are
denied or reckoned to be superceded (Gal. 3.10-11) as well as
asserted (Rom. 3.31) and used with reference to general rulings
(for instance with respect to women in the community, 1 Cor.
14.34, and the support of the churches for the apostles, 1 Cor.
9.9).
b. Concerning the fulfillability of the law, which is impossible for
humans (Gal. 3.10-14; Rom. 7.7) although some Gentiles, pre-
sumably including non-Christians, keep it without realizing it
(Rom. 2.14-15).
c. Concerning the salvific function of the law, which may be not
simply 'ineffective medicine', despite its life-giving intention
(Rom. 7.7; 8.3), but also actively destructive (Rom. 7.5).
d. Concerning the validity of Israel's election. If the grace of God
in Christ is affirmed as the only possible means of salvation, the- E.g. H.A. Raisanen, Paul and the Law (Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1983).
- E.g. F. Watson, Paul, Judaism and the Gentiles: A Sociological Approach
(SNTSMS, 56; Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1986).