Hard Sayings of Paul

by Manfred T. Brauch

The apostle Paul makes clear the central truths of Christianity. But sometimes he leaves us puzzled. As Peter said so long ago, Paul's "letters contain some things that are hard to understand." Is the law good? Is it better to be single or married? Is God really just? What wil happen to the Jews? Should women be allowed to teach? Seldom have the questions become easier over time. Manfred Brauch, drawing on years of pastoral experience and biblical study, takes on forty-eight hard sayings of Paul and offers the kind of help we need. By supplying background and putting these sayings in the context of the whole of Paul's teaching, he helps us not only to understand them but to see their importance for Christian living today.

Genres: New Testament, Christian, Christianity

278 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1989

Reviews

[Gene · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was one of those books that I really was anxious to finish with and stash away somewhere only to be used as a reference book. Several reasons exist for this. The first was that the author seemed to really be pushing a female clerical agenda, trying to get the reader to accept his interpretation of passages in which Paul seems to be restricting woman from roles of teaching in the church. He starts the book with this example and spends more time on that than any other topic. I found most of his arguments in this issue unconvincing.

Secondly, I was disappointed by the number of times that the author really doesn't give a clear answer to what Paul was trying to communicate in these hard sayings. He often gives a fairly reasonable answer in one paragraph, only to withdraw it partly or totally in the next. In one chapter the author presents two or three possible interpretations, only to withdraw them all and give some vague response that really never answer the questions that made him throw out the other possible interpretations. It was frustrating. I really would have liked him to make the best case for each possible interpretation and then clearly describe why he favors a certain one. The book lacked that sort of clarity.

Some chapters however were very well done and helpful. I liked the chapter on the issue of tongues.

As to hermenuetics, the author seems to put a lot of stock in the historical/cultural method that looks back into the culture of the epistle's recipients and assumes that this sways the interpretation. I tend to favor a more literary approach that assumes the Holy Spirit is relying on the text to communicate the content, not on some unexpressed societal circumstances. It seems these historical/cultural approaches sometimes allow modern theologians enough wiggle room to get the interpretations they hope to find.

A good reference book, but really tough to go through cover to cover, especially when one finds oneself in disagreement with some of the author's conclusions.

[Richard Klueg · Rating 2 out of 5]

Perhaps half of the passages the author deals with are not what I would call "hard sayings." That is, unless one does not like what the verse is saying, and/or one is overly influenced by the spirit of this world. The author is clearly uncomfortable with teachings of God's sovereignty and His just wrath, which makes verses that strongly express these concepts "hard sayings."

Brauch is all-in for egalitarian feminism, so "hard sayings" which distinguish the divinely-ordained roles for men and women are all limited in application to ancient, local situations. Handy.
I seem also to detect a somewhat weak view of the inspiration of Scripture. We hear more than once of Paul's ideas coming from his past Jewish training. Yes, we know that the Lord worked through personalities and backgrounds of the human authors ... but not in a way that allowed for error to creep in. For instance, we are told more than once that Paul (mistakenly) believed, along with his generation of believers, that the Second Coming was going to take place very soon.

Some of the explanations given are helpful, thus 2 stars instead of 1.

[Bradley Somers · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is really only useful if you want an incomplete reference book for Paul’s teachings. For all the hard sayings that Brauch attempts to answer he comes to solid and clear teaching on very few.

[Bud Russell · Rating 3 out of 5]

For all the hard sayings that Brauch attempts to answer he comes to solid and clear teaching on very few. Often times wishy-washy. A good reference book, but really tough to go through cover to cover.

[Taija · Rating 3 out of 5]

I only read this book for a class I am currently taking in school called 'the Pauline Epistles.' While Brauch did an excellent job at explaining a majority of Paul's "hard sayings," I felt that there were some sayings he covered that were not hard sayings to swallow, but perhaps that's just because I go to a church where they just don't preach "dessert."

My favorite chapter by far was the chapter in which Brauch covered 1 Corinthians 11:3 'But I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.'

If you have ever had trouble with this verse, read this book!

[Mike Jorgensen]

He does a fine job locating all the "hard sayings" but he's fairly wishy washy and unoriginal in his handling of these texts rendering the book relatively worthless but I'm not done reading it yet, maybe he'll change my mind.

[Royce Ratterman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most books are rated related to their usefulness and contributions to my research.
Overall, a good book for the researcher and enthusiast.
Read for personal research
- found this book's contents helpful and inspiring - number rating relates to the book's contribution to my needs.