Includes bibliographical references (p. 937-1177) and indexes.

pt.1. Justification theory, and its implications. The heart of the matter: the justification theory of salvation -- Intrinsic difficulties -- Systematic difficulties -- The question of Judaism -- The question of conversion -- Beyond old and new perspectives -- pt. 2. Some hermeneutical clarifications. The recognition of a discourse -- Distortions: the church-historical pedigree -- Dangers: the modern European pedigree -- pt. 3. The conventional reading, and its problems. A mighty fortress: justification theory's textual base -- Feet of clay -- Wide and narrow paths -- pt. 4. A rhetorical and apocalyptic rereading. Rereading the frame -- Rereading Romans 1:18-3:20: Indictment reconsidered -- Faith and syntax in 1:16-17 and 3:21-26 -- Atonement and "justification" in 3:21-26 -- The deliverance of God, and its rhetorical implications -- Rereading Romans 3:27-4:25: our forefather reconsidered -- pt. 5. Rereading the heartland. Rereading the rest of Romans -- Rereading the heartland: Galatians -- Rereading the heartland: Philippians and beyond.

This book breaks a significant impasse in much Pauline interpretation, pushing beyond both "Lutheran" and "New" perspectives on Paul to a non-contractual, "apocalyptic" reading of many of the apostle's most famous, and most troublesome, texts. His strongly antithetical vision identifies "participation in Christ" as the sole core of Pauline theology and produces the most radical rereading of Romans 1-4 for more than a generation. Even those who disagree will be forced to clarify their views as never before.