Uncorinthian Leadership: Thematic Reflections on 1 Corinthians

by David I. Starling, Carl R. Trueman (Foreword)

Amid the torrent of books on leadership that flood the marketplace of contemporary Christianity, UnCorinthian Leadership takes a fresh, challenging, and biblical approach. David Starling examines the teaching and leadership practices of Paul in 1 Corinthians, and finds both a sharp critique of the Corinthianized practices that are endemic in much modern Western Christianity and a positive, compelling theological vision for how leadership ought to function among the people of Christ. The account of Christian leadership that emerges is grounded in careful, contextual study of 1 Corinthians, and thoughtfully applied to the circumstances and cultural pressures of our own times. Paying close attention to the situation Paul addresses and the shape of his arguments, Starling highlights the vivid relevance and enduring power of the letter. Students of 1 Corinthians will find an illuminating guide to the contemporary application of the letter; Christian leaders and students of leadership will find a refreshingly biblical account of what makes Christian leadership Christian. Many speak and write of 'Christian leaders' and 'servant leadership' as if the categories were self-evident--and certainly it is easy to bless almost any label with a few proof-texts. This little book by David Starling is a fresh antidote. By paying close attention to 1 Corinthians, he demonstrates how . . . the Apostle Paul works out a decidedly 'unCorinthian' vision that is in line with the gospel and that has the power to revolutionize our thinking and relationships. --Don Carson, author of The Cross and Christian Ministry Worldly attitudes and behavior on the part of the Corinthian congregation prompted a body of godly instruction from the Apostle Paul. David Starling mines that apostolic instruction for leadership insights, badly needed in our own Corinthian times. Thoughtful and well written, UnCorinthian Leadership will be a bracing read for Christian leaders everywhere. --Duane Litfin, author of St. Paul's Theology of Proclamation No book in the New Testament has more to say about Christian leadership than 1 Corinthians. . . . While commentaries on 1 Corinthians abound, none address this question adequately for Christian leaders in our day. And the need is great, with worldly leadership doing considerable harm, both to the church and the progress of the gospel. David Starling's exploration of gospel-shaped leadership is a searching blend of rigorous exegesis and insightful application. I recommend it heartily. --Brian Rosner, co-author of The First Letter to the Corinthians (PNTC) Here is a very fine exposition of select chapters of 1 Corinthians against its first-century cultural setting, along with many sensitive and searching applications to our own Christian contexts. . . . This little book contains an amazing array of searching, refreshing, and powerful instruction. It is presented in a courteous, sensitive, and self-critical manner as the author applies the word of God to himself and urges other Christians to follow his lead. Highly recommended. --Peter O'Brien, author of Gospel and Mission in the Writings of Paul David I. Starling is Senior Lecturer in New Testament and Theology at Morling College in Sydney, Australia. He is the author of Not My People: Gentiles as Exiles in Pauline Hermeneutics (2011) and the coeditor of Theology and the Future: Evangelical Assertions and Explorations (2014).

126 pages, Hardcover

First published July 11, 2014

About the author

David Starling lectures in New Testament and theology at Morling College, Sydney. He and his wife, Nicole, have four children, and belong to Macquarie Baptist Church. David grew up in a Christian family and worked as a high school English teacher in Western Sydney before studying theology at Moore College and Morling College. He served from 2000 to 2006 as the pastor of Petersham Baptist Church, and has been a lecturer at Morling College since 2005. He is the author of Not my People: Gentiles as Exiles in Pauline Hermeneutics (De Gruyter, 2011), UnCorinthian Leadership (Cascade, 2014), and Hermeneutics as Apprenticeship (Baker, forthcoming), and co-editor of Theology and the Future (T&T Clark, 2014).

Reviews

[Ashley Chesnut · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciated the perspective and brevity of this book. Much of it is common sense, but looking at leadership through 1 Corinthians is a unique slant in the leadership convo.

[Kirsten · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fabulous book on Christian leadership! It is such an important addition to a market that is sometimes saturated with books with pithy approaches or culturally-shaped attitudes to leadership (as well as the many excellent leadership books that I have benefitted from of course!). Starling suggests that through a study of Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, we can discern a critique of unhealthy and ungodly leadership approaches, and be motivated to lead in a way that is Christ-like, biblically-shaped and often counter-cultural.

Although it’s a short and accessible, it’s not a quick read. Largely because Starling’s approach is based on sound exegesis and thoughtful consideration, so there is a lot to digest. It is also because he refuses to ignore the nuance on what it means to lead with excellence and strategy, while being deeply informed by Christian values and examples. He is articulate and thoughtful and my little pile of quotes has grown while reading!

If there’s anything that characterises this book it is that the final chapter is on leading with love, and I can’t resist quoting the final sentence here:

“Love the people whom you serve - patiently, kindly, generously, humbly, zealously, perseveringly; with warmth and devotion and loyalty and affection - and led your leadership be an expression of that love” ❤️ 🔥

[Sylvia Jeronimo · Rating 3 out of 5]

A most well thought out and developed treatise on biblical leadership. Starling is a theologian and approaches leadership exegetically without diminishing its practical applications and implications within the church. It is a rare treasure to find and experience this type of leadership in the church. Rather, as he so aptly puts it, we plunder the gold of the Secular ‘Egyptian’ leadership and make for ourselves a golden calf in the church and call it biblical leadership. Sad but true.

[Nathan Deck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent take on leadership. It rebuilds the concept of leadership using the admonitions of Paul to the Corinthians.

[Nathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good. About 1 Corinthians, about leadership. Not all ideas about leadership are equal. 1 Corinthians is particularly useful in challenging believers in a culture like ours to sift through our social and intellectual inheritance to determine what is and what is not aligned with the Gospel and the calling of God. Starling does exactly that with the topic of leadership. The book is no polemic against other leadership books. The author admits very limited familiarity with that corpus. Rather, he takes his cues straight from Paul. Invaluable approach.

(Rating changed from 4 stars to 5 stars at year-end review.)