Rediscovering Paul: An Introduction To His World, Letters And Theology [Hardcover]

For some of us, the apostle Paul is intimidating, like a distant and difficult uncle. We're told he's pretty important. We've even read some of the good parts of his letters. But he can come across as prickly and unpredictable. Not someone you'd like to hang out with at a coffee shop on a rainy day. He'd make a scene, evangelize the barista, and arouse looks across the room. For a mid-morning latte, we'd prefer Jesus over Paul. But Paul is actually the guy who from Ephesus to Athens was the talk of the marketplace, the raconteur of the Parthenon. He knew everyone, founded emerging churches, and held his own against the intellectuals of his day. Maybe it's time to give Paul a break, let go of some stereotypes, and try to get to know him on his own terms. If you're willing to give Paul a try, Rediscovering Paul is your reliable guide. This is a book that reacquaints us with Paul, as if for the first time arrested by Christ on the Damascus Road, holding forth in the marketplace of Corinth, working with a secretary in framing his letter to the Romans, or dealing with the messiness of emerging churches from Ephesus to Rome. Drawing on the best of contemporary scholarship, and with language shaped by teaching and conversing with today's students, Rediscovering Paul is a textbook that has passed the test. Now in an expanded edition, it s better than ever. There are fresh discussions of Paul s letter writing and how those letters were received in the churches, new considerations of pseudonymity and the authenticity of Paul s letters, and updated coverage of recent developments in interpreting Paul. In addition, the So What? feature much loved by students has been expanded. For considering the full range of issues, from Paul s conversion and call to his ongoing impact on church and culture, this second edition of Rediscovering Paul comes enthusiastically recommended.