Paul, hermeneutics and the Scriptures of Israel

The way in which Paul's appropriation of the Scriptures of Israel should be understood is in dispute. It is argued that Paul's use of Scripture should be understood within the context of contemporary Jewish practices, which highlights the role of scripture as literal text as much as the interpretation thereof by 'inspired exegetes'. Pauline hermeneutics can be descriptionbed within the context of the reinterpretion of Scripture by one who has received divine revelation concerning Christ while also subscribing to the traditions of Israel. With a necessarily free and creative hermeneutic Paul can establish a true dialogical relationship between Scripture, and his interpretation thereof in the light of Christ. This dialogical aspect can also be illuminated from the perspective of intertextuality, which is briefly referred to .