Paul: The Pagans' Apostle (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9780300225884)

A groundbreaking new portrait of the apostle Paul, from one of today's leading historians of antiquity

Often seen as the author of timeless Christian theology, Paul himself heatedly maintained that he lived and worked in history's closing hours. His letters propel his readers into two ancient worlds, one Jewish, one pagan. The first was incandescent with apocalyptic hopes, expecting God through his messiah to fulfill his ancient promises of redemption to Israel. The second teemed with ancient actors, not only human but also divine: angry superhuman forces, jealous demons, and hostile cosmic gods. Both worlds are Paul's, and his convictions about the first shaped his actions in the second.

Only by situating Paul within this charged social context of gods and humans, pagans and Jews, cities, synagogues, and competing Christ-following assemblies can we begin to understand his mission and message. This original and provocative book offers a dramatically new perspective on one of history's seminal figures.

Author: Paula Fredriksen
ISBN-10: 0300225881
ISBN-13: 9780300225884
Publisher: Yale University Press
Language: English
Published: 08/22/2017
Pages: 336
Format: Hardcover
Weight: 1.40lbs
Size: 9.50h x 6.40w x 1.20d

Review Citation(s):
Choice 02/01/2018