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How to Like Paul Again: The Apostle You Never Knew
You know you're supposed to like him, but you just don't. Maybe it's the authoritarianism, maybe it's the arrogance, maybe it's the views he seems to hold, maybe it's the way that he drones on and on until you're falling asleep. Well ... you're not the only one. None of that is new. Not even the last bit (see Acts 20:9). But there's a secret to liking an initially unlikeable person like Paul: walk a mile in his moccasins. Or three. This small book aims to take you inside three controversies that Paul faced. Would you have advised him to do anything differently? Would you have done as well as he did? This is a quick and entertaining introduction to the letters of Paul, from which you'll also learn about yourself. "The warmth of this book thaws the awkward frostiness that currently exists around Paul... I like him more now. And I like this book a lot." Jeff Lucas, author, speaker, broadcaster "This is a gem of a book for individual or group study; I highly recommend it." Mike Pilavachi, Soul Survivor "Conrad Gempf is an exceptional communicator and a sideways thinker. He's also effortlessly cool. What he uncovers about Paul will surprise, entertain and challenge you." Martin Saunders, editor of Youthwork Magazine
161 pages, Paperback
First published May 16, 2013
7 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
November 25, 2017
This book did not, for me, achieve that which is claimed in its title. It did however give me some things about which to think in approaching reading scripture.
October 23, 2023
In conclusion, then, this slim, readable little book is an excellent addition to your library. Equally helpful for those who have been doing New Testament for years (it reminds us of the basics, and challenges us about our perceptions and knowledge accumulation) and those just beginning, this is a book that actually (in this reviewer’s mind, at least) sets out what it intends to do. I’m lucky in that I’ve never particularly disliked Paul, but I do understand those who feel less rosy. Gempf has done us a service in providing an engaging, inviting little book to rehabilitate the Apostle Paul and challenge us gently to read the text, rather than use the text. Highly recommended!
https://www.thomascreedy.co.uk/book-r...
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July 26, 2014
Review originally posted on www.biblicalpreaching.net
The front cover of this book (published by Authentic, 2013) has a snippet of an endorsement that states, “The best thing on Paul written for non-academics I have ever read.” I agree, although I can’t list a whole lot of other books on Paul written for non-academics, to be honest.
Gempf is engaging and witty, his style draws you in and keeps you hooked. His concern is that Paul has gotten a bad rap and so people judge him without knowing him. I don’t have a negative view of Paul at all, but by the end of this book I liked him and his letters even more than when I started.
This book is like a crash course in hermeneutics, but a genuinely enjoyable course . . . the kind taught by a master teacher who so captures your attention that you don’t realise it is a course in hermeneutics. Each chapter builds on what has gone before and Gempf seems to enjoy a Paul-like rhetorical conversation with his readers.
His method is to select three epistles and work with each one for a few chapters. He starts with Galatians, then moves onto 1 Corinthians. He contrasts the two. Different audiences, different letters. A church in need of 1 Corinthians could be harmed by a slap-dash misapplication of Galatians, and vice versa. I loved the letter to the Galatians from the other side – a helpful feature of a section that gives a clear sense of the danger churches today face in respect to the Law and Christian spirituality.
Throughout the author is convincing the reader of the importance of understanding what it meant back then before pondering what it might mean for us today. A wonderful dose of healthy hermeneutical teaching in a book that reads more like a good novel or biography than a biblical studies text book.
After Galatians and 1 Corinthians, I did put the book down. Busy schedule and a family Christmas. And, to be honest, I thought Philemon might be a weak end to a great book. I was wrong. Philemon was a great place to add another set of dimensions to Paul and his apostolic writing.
This is a great book for new Christians and long-term preachers alike. Maybe you went to Bible school and have preached through Paul’s letters many times. I still think you should read this book. It is refreshing and it will stir your appreciation for the epistles again.
Perhaps your Christmas presents were wonderful, but lacked a gripping book. Why not buy yourself a late gift. In fact, buy two or three because you will be thinking of people to whom you must give a copy. Thanks Conrad, a wonderful book!
The front cover of this book (published by Authentic, 2013) has a snippet of an endorsement that states, “The best thing on Paul written for non-academics I have ever read.” I agree, although I can’t list a whole lot of other books on Paul written for non-academics, to be honest.
Gempf is engaging and witty, his style draws you in and keeps you hooked. His concern is that Paul has gotten a bad rap and so people judge him without knowing him. I don’t have a negative view of Paul at all, but by the end of this book I liked him and his letters even more than when I started.
This book is like a crash course in hermeneutics, but a genuinely enjoyable course . . . the kind taught by a master teacher who so captures your attention that you don’t realise it is a course in hermeneutics. Each chapter builds on what has gone before and Gempf seems to enjoy a Paul-like rhetorical conversation with his readers.
His method is to select three epistles and work with each one for a few chapters. He starts with Galatians, then moves onto 1 Corinthians. He contrasts the two. Different audiences, different letters. A church in need of 1 Corinthians could be harmed by a slap-dash misapplication of Galatians, and vice versa. I loved the letter to the Galatians from the other side – a helpful feature of a section that gives a clear sense of the danger churches today face in respect to the Law and Christian spirituality.
Throughout the author is convincing the reader of the importance of understanding what it meant back then before pondering what it might mean for us today. A wonderful dose of healthy hermeneutical teaching in a book that reads more like a good novel or biography than a biblical studies text book.
After Galatians and 1 Corinthians, I did put the book down. Busy schedule and a family Christmas. And, to be honest, I thought Philemon might be a weak end to a great book. I was wrong. Philemon was a great place to add another set of dimensions to Paul and his apostolic writing.
This is a great book for new Christians and long-term preachers alike. Maybe you went to Bible school and have preached through Paul’s letters many times. I still think you should read this book. It is refreshing and it will stir your appreciation for the epistles again.
Perhaps your Christmas presents were wonderful, but lacked a gripping book. Why not buy yourself a late gift. In fact, buy two or three because you will be thinking of people to whom you must give a copy. Thanks Conrad, a wonderful book!
February 20, 2016
I haven’t always had a great relationship with Paul. It might have had something to do with a series of sermons on Romans at our church that never seemed to end, or maybe it’s the way he comes across as arrogant and so self-assured. How to like Paul again is set in five parts, the first introduces Paul and how we should approach these letters that he has written. This was my favourite section, as it really did get me inspired, and featured a lot of things that I kind of knew but had never considered in depth.
The next three parts take three of Paul’s letters – Galatians, 1 Corinthians and Philemom – and applies some of the ideas explored in the first part to the text, while also providing an “interactive commentary”. The final part brings everything together and highlights why it is we should like Paul.
How to like Paul Again puts across some really interesting ideas and concepts in easy to digest, understand and apply sized pieces. Conrad Gempf’s style feels very much like having a personal tutor sat alongside you sharing and encouraging you to learn, and willing to provide insight from their own wealth of knowledge. This knowledge comes in friendly bite-sized pieces, without the need to have a dictionary to hand and laced with dry humour.
Having not come across Conrad Gempf before, and having read How to like Paul again, I would now be pretty happy to part with cash on seeing his name attached to a title. This book would also be a refreshing change for a house group looking to engage in quality Bible based teaching. Conrad has provided readers with some suggested ways of doing this in the book, and there are also some wonderful and hugely insightful discussion starters at the end of each chapter.
How to like Paul again has really made an impression on me, I have been inspired to turn back to Paul’s letters in the Bible and read in a fresh, informed and enthused way, you never know I might even read Romans again! I recommend you take a chance and grab a copy of this book as well.
The next three parts take three of Paul’s letters – Galatians, 1 Corinthians and Philemom – and applies some of the ideas explored in the first part to the text, while also providing an “interactive commentary”. The final part brings everything together and highlights why it is we should like Paul.
How to like Paul Again puts across some really interesting ideas and concepts in easy to digest, understand and apply sized pieces. Conrad Gempf’s style feels very much like having a personal tutor sat alongside you sharing and encouraging you to learn, and willing to provide insight from their own wealth of knowledge. This knowledge comes in friendly bite-sized pieces, without the need to have a dictionary to hand and laced with dry humour.
Having not come across Conrad Gempf before, and having read How to like Paul again, I would now be pretty happy to part with cash on seeing his name attached to a title. This book would also be a refreshing change for a house group looking to engage in quality Bible based teaching. Conrad has provided readers with some suggested ways of doing this in the book, and there are also some wonderful and hugely insightful discussion starters at the end of each chapter.
How to like Paul again has really made an impression on me, I have been inspired to turn back to Paul’s letters in the Bible and read in a fresh, informed and enthused way, you never know I might even read Romans again! I recommend you take a chance and grab a copy of this book as well.
December 31, 2013
I completely understand why people are rating this book 5 stars. I think it is a must read for anyone new to reading/interpreting the Bible (particularly the Pauline letters) so they avoid flat fundamentalist proof-text readings of the texts. The author takes an excellent approach to hermeneutics and exegesis and does it in very plain, conversational language. For me, personally, however, the style irritated me - I felt like it was a bit forced at times trying to make it conversational and simple. So please don't misunderstand me - the 3 stars is my rating for myself. I liked the book but didn't love it. However, I highly recommend it for someone new to the Bible or who have been "infected" with simplistic approaches to it. If a reader is already knowledgeable about appropriate approaches to interpreting ancient texts and arrived at a historico-grammatical reading of the text, they would probably be a bit bored with it. So - highly recommended as an introduction to responsible reading of the Pauline letters!
August 3, 2016
I'm a Conrad Gempf fan, ever since I heard him speak at a youth ministry conference in the UK. He's funny, he's smart and he knows how to explain things in normal language. This books is proof of that. It's very readable, also for people who don't have a theological background. And it gives a lot of info on the controversial figure of Paul, helping you to understand his letters much better. I recommend it!
October 24, 2023
Easy to read, lots I didn’t know about Paul and the people he was writing to. (Corinthians, Galatians and Philemon in this book) It helps you to see Paul’s letters in a new and exciting way giving more depth and understanding. Great book.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews