Covenantal Nomism

Covenantal nomism is a term coined by scholar E.P. Sanders to describe how many Jews in the first century understood their relationship with God. The idea is that people are *brought into* God’s covenant by His grace—through His choice or election—and they *stay in* the covenant by following the Law (Torah) as an expression of loyalty and obedience 

So, it’s not about earning salvation through perfect behavior. Instead, it’s about living faithfully within a relationship that already exists. The Law isn’t a ladder to climb into God’s favor—it’s more like the house rules once you’re already part of the family 

This concept played a big role in reshaping how scholars interpret the Apostle Paul and his critiques of the Law, especially in contrast to older views that painted Judaism as rigidly legalistic. Want to dive into how this ties into the “New Perspective on Paul”? It’s a fascinating theological rabbit hole. 🕳️📜