Dictionary of Paul and His Letters

by Gerald F. Hawthorne (Editor), Ralph P. Martin (Editor), Daniel G. Reid (Editor)

1994 ECPA Gold Medallion (Reference Books) TheDictionary of Paul and His Letters is a one-of-a-kind reference work. Following the format of its hightly successful companion volume, the Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels, this Dictionary is designed to bring students, teachers, ministers and laypeople abreast of the established conclusions and significant recent developments in Pauline scholarship. No other single reference work presents as much information focused exclusively on Pauline theology, literature, background and scholarship. In a field that recently has undergone significant shifts in perspective, theDictionary of Paul and His Letters offers a summa of Paul and Pauline studies. In-depth articles focus on individual theological themes (such as law, resurrection and Son of God), broad theological topics (such as Christology, eschatology and the death of Christ), methods of interpretation (such as rhetorical criticism and social-scientific approaches), background topics (such as apocalypticism, Hellenism and Qumran) and various other subjects specifically related to the scholarly study of Pauline theology and literature (such as early catholicism, the center of Paul's theology, and Paul and his interpreters since F. C. Baur). Separate articles are also devoted to each of the Pauline letters to hermeneutics and to preaching Paul today. TheDictionary of Paul and His Letters takes its place alongside the Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels in presenting the fruit of evangelical New Testament scholarship at the end of the twentieth century--commited to the authority of Scripture, utilizing the best of critical methods, and maintaining dialogue with contemporary scholarship and challenges facing the church.

Genres: Reference, Theology, Biblical Studies, New Testament, Religion, Christian, Christianity

1067 pages, Hardcover

First published October 28, 1993

Reviews

[Benjamin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good resource to have. I wish they would have spent more time addressing biblical matters, instead a large portion of the articles are presenting the critical textual perspectives.

[Samuel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is certainly a stronger resource than the dictionary from the same series on the Gospels. Lots of good insights throughout, though still a few opportunities for discernment (like the article on the Holy Spirit where the author could not make up his mind on pronouns).

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the greatest repositories of Pauline scholarship ever produced.  While this statement could be challenged by modern scholarship, when Paul and his letters was produced it was the one of the greatest repositories.  Yet since this work was produced a new theological view has arisen, the New Perspective on Paul.  This view which is most well connected to E.P. Sanders and N.T. Wright, has gained footing in academic but has been mostly rejected by conservative pastors.  Which is why this volume of the IVP Bible Dictionary series, is not only helpful to academia but to pastors in the pulpit.

When I entered seminary, this was one of the first books I checked out of the library, it helped me gain a knowledge, of Pauline literature that I could not have even dreamed of before.  It examines the cultural context of Paul's letters in a way that could only be examined by reading hundreds of books.  Thankfully IVP commissioned this volume which not only collects all of this information into one place but it is written in such a way that even a uneducated pastor would be able to read and glean valuable knowledge from. This is one of the greatest volumes in the series, and is the oldest as well.  This volume is not just a book which looks great on a pastor's shelf but one that will be used again and again any time a pastor preaches through any of Paul's epistles.

This book was provided to me free of charge from IVP Academic in exchange for an unbiased, honest review.

[Tyler Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

IVP Dictionaries are one of the most beneficial tools for background research I have found. Their thorough research into the key terms/ideas/words/places/people is formatted so well making it is easy to use. Their bibliography at the end of each section helps you find more resources if you want to go deeper. Essential for any Bible nerd library.

[Don · Rating 5 out of 5]

Talbot Course: Exegesis in the Epistles
SOLID Dictionary! Must have for your reference collection!

[David Campton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another useful addition to this superb evangelical reference series.

[Nicholas Quient · Rating 5 out of 5]

The standard text. Needs an update.

[Fr. Thomas Reeves · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have used multiple articles in this volume. Helpful.

[Mary A · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of my favorite resource books while in school...I wish I had a copy today!!

[Kingsley Layton · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely outstanding reference on this subject.