E.P. Sanders > Quotes

“Paul himself spent years of his life on the road, carrying (presumably on pack animals) his tent, clothing and tools - not many scrolls, if any. He carried the Bible safely tucked away in his head, where it belongs. As an apostle, he often supported himself by plying his trade. He was busy, traveling, working with his hands, winning people for Christ, shepherding or coping with his converts, responding to questions and problems. And he was very human; he knew not only fighting without but also fears within (2 Cor 7:5). Paul the completely confident academic and systematic theologian - sitting at his desk, studying the Bible, working out a system, perfect and consistent in all its parts, unchanging over a period of thirty years, no matter how many new experiences he and his churches had - is an almost inhuman character, either a thinking machine or a fourth person of the Trinity. The real Paul knew anger, joy, depression, triumph, and anguish; he reacted, overreacted, he repented, he apologized, he flattered and cajoled, he rebuked and threatened, he argued this way and that way: he did everything he could think of in order to win some.”
― E.P. Sanders

“In all probability Jesus was born in 5 or 4 BCE and died between 29 and 31 CE (though many scholars prefer 33).”
― E.P. Sanders, The Historical Figure of Jesus

“The chapter concludes: “and now faith”
― E.P. Sanders, Paul: The Apostle's Life, Letters, and Thought

“live by the Spirit”
― E.P. Sanders, Paul: The Apostle's Life, Letters, and Thought

“I try never to judge anyone by his worst performance but by his best. I apply this rule to all my heroes”
― E.P. Sanders, Paul: The Apostle's Life, Letters, and Thought