Reading Derrida, Thinking Paul: On Justice

Theodore W. Jennings

Stanford University Press, 2006 - Religion - 219 pages

This book explores the interweaving of several of Derrida’s characteristic concerns with themes that Paul explores in Romans. It argues that the central concern of Romans is with the question of justice, a justice that must be thought outside of law on the basis of grace or gift. The many perplexities that arise from thus trying to think justice outside of law are clarified by reading Derrida on such themes as justice and law, gift and exchange, duty and debt, hospitality, cosmopolitanism, and pardon.

This interweaving of Paul and Derrida shows that Paul may be read as a thinker who wrestles with real problems that are of concern to anyone who thinks. It also shows that Derrida, far from being the enemy of theological reflection, is himself a necessary companion to the thinking of the biblical theologian. Against the grain of what passes for common wisdom this book argues that both Derrida and Paul are indispensable guides to a new way of thinking about justice.

What people are saying

User Review -

This is a extremely insightful book that gives us a groundbreaking way to interpret and understand Paul and illuminate Derrida. An indispensable text for philosopher, theologians, and religious scholars alike.

Review: Reading Derrida/Thinking Paul: On Justice (Cultural Memory of the Present)

User Review  - Charles Puskas - Goodreads

It's dense reading but this professor of theology at Chicago Theological Seminary has located some interesting reflections by French philosopher, Jacques Derrida, to underscore his thesis that justice ...

Contents

• Introduction: 1
• Justice Beyond the Law: 19
• Force Violence and the Cross: 54
• Justice as Gift: 78
• Duty Beyond Debt andor the Obedience of Faith: 96
• Hospitality Ethics and Politics: 109
• Pardon: 128
• Conclusion: 157
• Notes 777: 177
• Bibliography: 211
• Index: 217

About the author

Theodore W. Jennings, Jr., is Professor of Biblical and Constructive Theology at the Chicago Theological Seminary. He is the author, most recently, of The Insurrection of the Crucified (2003) and The Man Jesus Loved (2003).

Bibliographic information

• Title: Reading Derrida, Thinking Paul: On Justice; Cultural memory in the present
• Author: Theodore W. Jennings
• Publisher: Stanford University Press, 2006
• ISBN: 0804752680, 9780804752688
• Length: 219 pages
• Subjects: Philosophy / Ethics & Moral Philosophy; Religion / Biblical Criticism & Interpretation / New Testament; Religion / Philosophy