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Paul: Apostle and Fellow Traveler
Covering the entire Pauline corpus the reader finds a man who was adept at persuasive arguments and providing theological answers to real and, often, thorny congregational issues. Readers will have a keen understanding of Paul’s place in the early church, the relationship between church and synagogue, and the relationship between the teaching of Paul and that of Jesus. These discussions set Paul firmly within the church that existed before he joined, finding that he became an adherent to much that preceded him.
192 pages, Paperback
First published November 18, 2014
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About the author
Jerry L. Sumney
21 books1 followerJerry L. Sumney is professor of biblical studies at Lexington Theological Seminary. He is the author of Colossians: A Commentary (2008) and Identifying Paul's Opponents (1990). He is the coeditor of Theology and Ethics in Paul and His Interpreters (1996) and Paul and Pathos (2006).
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
January 27, 2015
Paul Apostle and Fellow Traveler by Jerry L. Sumney is an excellent work offering an overview of recent scholarship on Paul and the epistles in the New Testament written by him and/or attributed to him. The issues of authorship of each epistle is discussed in clear and easy to understand terms.
The book itself is divided into three main sections: the first part is a historical, cultural, and theological overview of the New Testament era; the second part discusses the undisputed Pauline epistles; and the third part discusses the disputed ones.
The writing is simple and clear; in fact, it took me a few chapters to get used to it because of its style - short sentences and very simple style. I guess I expected a more heavy, complicated writing given the topic. The content is not superficial in any way, however.
The first part that discusses the overall environment of the Pauline churches is quite informative and provides necessary background for understanding how to read, interpret, understand, and apply each of the epistles that are discussed in the remainder of the book.
The second and third parts discuss each epistle. Most chapters discuss one epistle, but a few of the shorter epistles are discussed together in a single chapter. The discussions include the use of rhetoric, literary features, the possible issue(s) addressed, the historical setting and context, the theologies, and what it reveals about the author.
When discussing the disputed epistles, Jerry provides clear reasons why the material for each is disputed and why Paul most likely could not have been the author, but also why the early chose to accept it as authoritative.
To be clear, this is not a liberal Christian work. It takes the incarnation, the crucifixion, and resurrection of Christ as historical. However, it is not hold to the conservative (and certainly not fundamentalist) Christian tradition of the historicity of Pauline authorship of all of the epistles attributed to him. It accepts recent, sound, mainstream Christian Pauline scholarship in both authorship and theology.
I think Paul Apostle and Fellow Traveler is a worthwhile book to have on my shelf (or e-shelf) as a quick and concise reference to the Pauline epistles and their time and place.
(This review is based on ARC through NetGalley and the publisher.)
The book itself is divided into three main sections: the first part is a historical, cultural, and theological overview of the New Testament era; the second part discusses the undisputed Pauline epistles; and the third part discusses the disputed ones.
The writing is simple and clear; in fact, it took me a few chapters to get used to it because of its style - short sentences and very simple style. I guess I expected a more heavy, complicated writing given the topic. The content is not superficial in any way, however.
The first part that discusses the overall environment of the Pauline churches is quite informative and provides necessary background for understanding how to read, interpret, understand, and apply each of the epistles that are discussed in the remainder of the book.
The second and third parts discuss each epistle. Most chapters discuss one epistle, but a few of the shorter epistles are discussed together in a single chapter. The discussions include the use of rhetoric, literary features, the possible issue(s) addressed, the historical setting and context, the theologies, and what it reveals about the author.
When discussing the disputed epistles, Jerry provides clear reasons why the material for each is disputed and why Paul most likely could not have been the author, but also why the early chose to accept it as authoritative.
To be clear, this is not a liberal Christian work. It takes the incarnation, the crucifixion, and resurrection of Christ as historical. However, it is not hold to the conservative (and certainly not fundamentalist) Christian tradition of the historicity of Pauline authorship of all of the epistles attributed to him. It accepts recent, sound, mainstream Christian Pauline scholarship in both authorship and theology.
I think Paul Apostle and Fellow Traveler is a worthwhile book to have on my shelf (or e-shelf) as a quick and concise reference to the Pauline epistles and their time and place.
(This review is based on ARC through NetGalley and the publisher.)
October 31, 2016
The author's exploration of Paul's writings in the New Testament through the prism of the general consensus of modern scholarship.
The author attempts first to contextualize Paul into the world of Second Temple Judaism and the Roman Empire; at this he does very well. He then begins to attempt to make sense of Paul's ministry and theology by exploring the Pauline corpus of letters. It is as this point where one learns as much about the author and his time than anything about Paul; while the author does not always go along with every thesis about divisions of books and such like, he is generally content to go along with "a consensus of modern scholars" and parrots the line. The portrayal of Paul therefore does not take half of the Pauline corpus into account and uses circular logic to dismiss unpleasant theological and doctrinal elements in what is deemed not Pauline. The author very much gets to his conclusion about Paul as a Christian who attempts to make sense of Jesus and tries to apply such lessons to his time and place.
As a Christian with a high view of inspiration I resist the entire endeavor to attempt to ascertain what is and is not Pauline; as a restorationist I find his attempt to contextualize only that which is theologically unpleasant rather convenient. But if you're looking for what Paul looks like after modern scholars are done with him, this is a more accessible book in which to find it.
**--galley received as part of early review program
The author attempts first to contextualize Paul into the world of Second Temple Judaism and the Roman Empire; at this he does very well. He then begins to attempt to make sense of Paul's ministry and theology by exploring the Pauline corpus of letters. It is as this point where one learns as much about the author and his time than anything about Paul; while the author does not always go along with every thesis about divisions of books and such like, he is generally content to go along with "a consensus of modern scholars" and parrots the line. The portrayal of Paul therefore does not take half of the Pauline corpus into account and uses circular logic to dismiss unpleasant theological and doctrinal elements in what is deemed not Pauline. The author very much gets to his conclusion about Paul as a Christian who attempts to make sense of Jesus and tries to apply such lessons to his time and place.
As a Christian with a high view of inspiration I resist the entire endeavor to attempt to ascertain what is and is not Pauline; as a restorationist I find his attempt to contextualize only that which is theologically unpleasant rather convenient. But if you're looking for what Paul looks like after modern scholars are done with him, this is a more accessible book in which to find it.
**--galley received as part of early review program
February 5, 2015
3.5 RATING
Reason for rating-Context was excellent and the history of Paul, I came to a better understanding of Paul’s motive. He was zealous for the gospel and zealous for the church of Christ to apply the gospel. These points were the main thread in this thread. The author’s priority for the reader is to come to a better understanding of the world which Paul lived in. I did have trouble keeping in engaged in this book, however, anyone that is interested in the life of Paul and his mission, I would highly recommend this book.
My greatest intake was the context of Paul’s mission. Going thru the epistles and Paul’s mission for the church to live and apply the Gospel. His apostleship is to be considered in each epistle as well. You also see that individualism is not the priority of the gospel, but the good of the community. This is the holiness of the community of believers.
Paul was an apostle for the Gentiles and his heart for the Gentiles believers was what salvation entailed. God was doing a great work bringing all people into faith, not by the Mosaic Covenant but by a New Covenant.
Church history is a great study to avoid false teaching and the religion of self, and legalism. This is a great addition for your church history library.
A special thank you, Abingdon Press
and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review
Reason for rating-Context was excellent and the history of Paul, I came to a better understanding of Paul’s motive. He was zealous for the gospel and zealous for the church of Christ to apply the gospel. These points were the main thread in this thread. The author’s priority for the reader is to come to a better understanding of the world which Paul lived in. I did have trouble keeping in engaged in this book, however, anyone that is interested in the life of Paul and his mission, I would highly recommend this book.
My greatest intake was the context of Paul’s mission. Going thru the epistles and Paul’s mission for the church to live and apply the Gospel. His apostleship is to be considered in each epistle as well. You also see that individualism is not the priority of the gospel, but the good of the community. This is the holiness of the community of believers.
Paul was an apostle for the Gentiles and his heart for the Gentiles believers was what salvation entailed. God was doing a great work bringing all people into faith, not by the Mosaic Covenant but by a New Covenant.
Church history is a great study to avoid false teaching and the religion of self, and legalism. This is a great addition for your church history library.
A special thank you, Abingdon Press
and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews