Paul, Missionary of Jesus: After Jesus, Vol. 2

by Paul Barnett

Was Paul the “second founder” of Christianity, striking off in directions Jesus never envisaged and teaching lessons Christ never endorsed? In this study Paul Barnett sets out to establish that, current theories aside, the apostle was a true missionary of Jesus, authentically extending the Lord's mission.

Arguing that Paul's own writings are uniquely supplemented by Luke's contemporaneously written narrative of the Acts of the Apostles, Barnett follows Paul on a decade of travels, examining him in his historical context and as revealed by his writings. Including maps of Paul's travels and five helpful appendixes,  Missionary of Jesus  is ideal for anyone interested in seeking out the historical truth of Christianity.

Genres: Biblical Studies, Theology, Biblical, Nonfiction

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 14, 2008

About the author

Paul Barnett, former Anglican Bishop of North Sydney, Australia, is a Visiting Fellow in Ancient History at Macquarie University and Teaching Fellow at Regent College, Vancouver and Moore College, Sydney. He is a frequent traveler to Israel, where Christianity began, and to Turkey and Greece, to which it rapidly spread.

Reviews

[John Yelverton · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author makes some fantastic observations about Paul that really nip the bud the ridiculous Jesus versus Paul debate. His ability to piece together Paul's life and ministry from the snippets Paul gives us in his letters was what I found most impressive and educational.

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

For 5/5 stars, I don’t think this book is timeless, but that doesn’t mean every book needs to be.

There is definitely modern scholarship with some speculation on Barnetts part, but I think Barnett has some something unique that should not be overlooked.

Barnett has, to the best of his ability, Chronologically laid out the life of Paul with the little information we have about him. Not only that, he laid out his theology succinctly and sufficiently enough to defend Paul’s position as an apostle of the Church.

[A. Marie · Rating 1 out of 5]

The first four chapters weren’t bad, but then the author made outlandish statements with poor exegesis & even attempted to equate Paul with Jesus & I had to look away.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A useful and comprehensive view of Paul. Certainly not without bias, but I think the author argues his points convincingly and with evidence. The timeline used is especially helpful.

[Evan]

yay

[Hunter Starr · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is helpful to the beginner. It could have been much more concise. Barnett certainly knows the subject but after about six chapters you might feel like you're reading the same stuff again. Not terrible but not Barnett's best work.

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like Barnett, and this is generally a good and helpful book. Barnett traces the life of Paul and argues that Paul is a true missionary of Jesus, rather than the inventor of a different movement. Paul being the Apostle to the gentiles is also a matter entirely consistent with the teaching of Jesus.
So far so good. As the book unfolds there are two big issues, however. First, Barnett will often make a plausible case for something, and them go on to assume it as he continues. This makes subsequent points less and less plausible (sort of like multiplying fractions). Second, I’m convinced that Barnett’s understanding of early Christianity is not the most accurate. It sounds, at times, very much like what we could find in the writings of someone like F. C. Baur—presenting a sort of dialectic between Pauline Christianity and everybody else.
Barnett’s book is on the whole, however, helpful. And I’m glad I read it.

[Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Barnett fleshed out the life of Paul for me in detail I'd never thought feasible. Certain details strike me as speculative, but not irresponsibly so. He also ably demonstrates the essential unity between the missions of Jesus and of Paul. I'm not sure that any of it would be convincing to someone who doubts the reliability of Acts, however.

[Joshua Coleman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good book. It argues convincingly that there is no discontinuity between Jesus and Paul. Paul was a true missionary of Jesus.

[Sister Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second of a three volume series on Christianity "After Jesus." Barnett demonstrates that Paul was not the "creator" of Christianity, but a faithful missionary who knew a great deal about Jesus' earthly life and ministry, and continued it in the way he lived his missionary life. Paul did indeed have "the mind of Christ"!

The treatment is not biographical, but it is not a theological work, either. It is an eminently readable kind of chronology of Paul's thought, as drawn from Acts (accepted as historically reliable in most respects) and the Letters (up to Romans). There is a wonderful appendix on the mind of Paul ("Mind and Spirit: How Paul Made Decisions").

[Erik · Rating 3 out of 5]

I gave it three starts because it was somewhat dull to read in the middle chapters, but overall I think this book is worth a read because it deals with some of the issues/topics surrounding the Apostle Paul. Ie: Whether he was the second founder of Christianity or where he directed his energies in the years leading to his missionary journeys. If you are game for academic style books, then I would recommend you to have a go at this book.

[Bj Shepherd · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book fascinating and well researched, as I'm currently going to bible college, this book is helpful in letting me understand the history of Paul's mission's and because it is easy to read, I recommend this for anyone who is either interested in learning more about Paul or going to bible college.

[Karl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful background information. I see the Apostle in a new light now.

[Bryan Bigari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good historical work

interesting research into the historical Paul and what motivated him to spread the gospel to the gentiles. A pretty easy read.