4QMMT and Paradigms of Second Temple Jewish Nomism

Abstract

Abstract The article reconsiders 4QMMT's perspective on Torah and justification in view of the recent debate about paradigms of covenantal nomism (E. P. Sanders) and of justification and variegated nomism (D. A. Carson, P. T. O'Brien, M. A. Seifrid). The hortatory part, in particular 4QMMT C 23–32, takes into account divine grace through forgiveness and search for the Torah as normative direction. Human works and divine justification are thereby not conflated in MMT's understanding of Torah. e notion of covenant theology reflected in 4QMMT comes closer to that of the Damascus Document than to the more polarized notion of covenant in the Community Rule.