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The Weird Apostle: The Strange Jewish Mission of a Global Game Changer
The Apostle Paul, also known as Saint Paul, is one of the most influential humans in history. Yet he is also one of the most misunderstood and misrepresented characters of all time.
Historically, Paul has been framed as a Western-minded, modern Christian on a mission to start a new religion. That’s the familiar Paul. The Weird Apostle presents Paul in a way that makes him quite weird compared to traditional portrayals. Ryan Lambert suggests Paul was a Torah-observant Jewish man who functioned entirely within Judaism as the apostle to the Gentiles. Not only can this less familiar view of Paul help readers better understand this unique, global game changer, but making Paul weird again can also help counter historical trends and modern voices that use Paul’s writings, intentionally or otherwise, to advance anti-Semitic and anti-Judaism perspectives.
Christians, Jews, and anyone interested in this incredible influencer have much to gain by doing the hard work of reframing Paul in terms that are less customary but more faithful to his ancient Jewish and Greco-Roman context.
Historically, Paul has been framed as a Western-minded, modern Christian on a mission to start a new religion. That’s the familiar Paul. The Weird Apostle presents Paul in a way that makes him quite weird compared to traditional portrayals. Ryan Lambert suggests Paul was a Torah-observant Jewish man who functioned entirely within Judaism as the apostle to the Gentiles. Not only can this less familiar view of Paul help readers better understand this unique, global game changer, but making Paul weird again can also help counter historical trends and modern voices that use Paul’s writings, intentionally or otherwise, to advance anti-Semitic and anti-Judaism perspectives.
Christians, Jews, and anyone interested in this incredible influencer have much to gain by doing the hard work of reframing Paul in terms that are less customary but more faithful to his ancient Jewish and Greco-Roman context.
236 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 2, 2024
22 people are currently reading
12 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
March 22, 2025
Even though I don't completely embrace the entirety of the theology that is presented, I REALLY liked the book. It is well-written, superbly documented, easy to read, and conveys a perspective on Paul that could (and should) forever change how you view the Apostle, the Scriptures, and our Messiah. I highly recommend it and eagerly await the second volume soon to be released.
August 8, 2024
An inviting intro into a fresh perspective on Paul
Ryan Lambert’s book, “The Weird Apostle” is an accessible, insightful, and well-supported discussion on looking at Paul differently from how he has been traditionally viewed. Lambert eases the reader into each topic with a contemporary example from his own life and interests. This personal touch makes the reading interesting and enjoyable. He also provides some valuable insights for thinking about Paul which further support his main point. For instance, Lambert brings up the fact that Paul’s Pharisaic training, progressive for its time, is likely what led him to have such an inclusive view of Gentiles. This example not only shows how strange or different Paul is from most modern western folks, but also how understanding that strangeness is paramount to understanding Paul. Furthermore, Lambert’s discussion is well-researched, drawing from leading experts in the field (e.g. Pamela Eisenbaum, Paula Fredrickson, Mark Nanos, and Matthew Novenson, to name a few). Finally, “The Weird Apostle” is not only an accessible introduction for lay persons wanting to rediscover Paul but it is an important contribution to healing the relationship between Jews and Christians, an endeavor Paul would likely join himself! I look forward to reading Part II of “The Weird Apostle.”
Ryan Lambert’s book, “The Weird Apostle” is an accessible, insightful, and well-supported discussion on looking at Paul differently from how he has been traditionally viewed. Lambert eases the reader into each topic with a contemporary example from his own life and interests. This personal touch makes the reading interesting and enjoyable. He also provides some valuable insights for thinking about Paul which further support his main point. For instance, Lambert brings up the fact that Paul’s Pharisaic training, progressive for its time, is likely what led him to have such an inclusive view of Gentiles. This example not only shows how strange or different Paul is from most modern western folks, but also how understanding that strangeness is paramount to understanding Paul. Furthermore, Lambert’s discussion is well-researched, drawing from leading experts in the field (e.g. Pamela Eisenbaum, Paula Fredrickson, Mark Nanos, and Matthew Novenson, to name a few). Finally, “The Weird Apostle” is not only an accessible introduction for lay persons wanting to rediscover Paul but it is an important contribution to healing the relationship between Jews and Christians, an endeavor Paul would likely join himself! I look forward to reading Part II of “The Weird Apostle.”
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews