The Theology of Paul in Three Dimensions: Dogmatics, Experience, Relevance
Digital Verbum Edition
Overview
Paul of Tarsus, the Pharisee who tried to destroy the church of God, experienced a conversion to faith in Jesus Christ that was to turn his life upside down and lead to his becoming one of the greatest missionaries and theologians of all time. His theology is highly controversial and has both inspired and appalled his listeners. Richard Bell presents the major themes in Paul’s theology and also asks what he got right, what he got wrong, and what in his theology needs reinterpreting for the twenty-first century. The book thereby shows the ongoing relevance of Paul’s thought for today. To accompany this volume, a website of music designed to add an experiential dimension in discovering Paul’s message for the world can be found at richardhbell.co.uk.
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- Presents the major themes in Paul’s theology.
- Asks what Paul got right, what he got wrong, and what in his theology needs reinterpreting.
- Shows the ongoing relevance of Paul’s thought for today.
- Preface
- Acknowledgments
- Abbreviations
- 1 Introduction
- 2 From Pharisee to Apostle to the Gentiles
- 3 Christ the End of the Law
- 4 The Need for Reconciliation
- 5 The Justification of the Ungodly, Sola Gratia, Sola Fide
- 6 The Sacrifice of Christ
- 7 Word of God, Faith, and Grace
- 8 The Person of Christ
- 9 The Church and Israel
- 10 Anthropology
- 11 The Last Things
- 12 Critical Reflections
- Further Reading
- Bibliography
This sophisticated engagement with Paul’s thinking by an outstanding exegete will take thoughtful readers deep into the meaning of myth, evil, sacrifice, atonement, reconciliation, and Israel, and should challenge specialists to revisit familiar themes in their relevance for contemporary theology.
—Robert Morgan, Linacre College, University of Oxford
There is no other theology of Paul like this. It is deeply informed by over thirty years of university teaching. In seeing Paul in terms of dogmatics, it is an overview of Christian theology. In truth-seeking, it asks if Paul was right on such matters as sexuality, slavery, and salvation by grace. It takes theology to be an honest, critical reflection on a life of piety. This book is a gift to us.
—Graham H. Twelftree, London School of Theology