Pauline Theology as a Way of Life: A Vision of Human Flourishing in Christ

by Joshua W. Jipp

Paul is known as a theologian, and indeed his writings yield rich theological insights. But Paul was foremost a missionary and a pastor who wrote to real people and churches.

In this fresh approach to Pauline theology, respected scholar Joshua Jipp brings Paul's pastoral concerns to the fore, specifically his concern for human flourishing in his congregations. Jipp argues that Paul's writings are best understood as invitations to a particular way of life, one that is oriented toward the supreme good of experiencing life in God through participation in Christ. For Paul, Christ epitomizes the good life and enables others to live it. While analyzing Paul's thought through this lens of well-being and flourishing, Jipp introduces conversation partners as points of comparison and contrast. He interacts with ancient philosophy and modern positive psychology, both of which also address "the good life."

This important and substantial contribution to Pauline studies covers issues such as transcendence, suffering and death, relationships, pursuit of Christian virtue, and moral agency. It will be a valuable resource for all students of Paul.

Genres: Theology, Philosophy, Christian, New Testament

283 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 25, 2023

Reviews

[John Andrew Szott III · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the whole book and I still don't know who Pauline is and why she is so important...*

Jokes aside, I read this book as part of a course on Paul and the general epistles. It proved an excellent read, reframing how to approach Paul's theologizing as centered on humanity's supreme good: "sharing in the life of God through Christ and the gift of the Spirit-a life that involves a death to sin and a transformation of one's moral agency whereby humans become more and more like Christ and are, thereby, enabled to share in eschatological resurrection life" (239). It is definitely a worthwhile book for pastors, teachers, counselors, and laypersons alike.

*Joke courtesy of Dr. Fellipe do Vale

[Matthew Thiessen · Rating 5 out of 5]

With remarkable skill, Joshua Jipp shows that even as Paul’s thinking about what constitutes the good life is uniquely and inextricably related to Christ it can also be illuminated through careful comparison to both ancient philosophical and modern psychological efforts to attain true happiness.

Must reading for anyone interested in the apostle Paul or who is interested in his account of what makes for a happy and good life.

[Ryan Storch · Rating 5 out of 5]

A clear and helpful book on dealing with Paul, Positive Psychology, and Human Flourishing. Jipp applies these three topics to put forward a Pauline Theology. This book is tremendous. One should be aware that Jipp has a few sentences arguing for an egalitarian understanding of ordination but this does not detract from his argument.

[CJ Parmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

You’ll never read Paul the same again. At the same, don’t expect to have your understanding of Paul undermined. Expect it to be reinforced. This book doesn’t rewrite our understanding of Paul. It deepens it by showing how Paul can be fruitfully understood as a teacher of a “way of life.” Highly recommended.

[Dustin Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book! Deeply theological, highly practical. Loved how he uses ancient philosophy and positive psychology as conversation partners with Paul. I'll be returning to and referencing this book often!

[Darcy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jipp’s work is a wonderful resource for seeing the praxis behind (or, shaped by) Paul’s theological reflections. While scholars and pastors alike can give lip service to the practical, real-life context that drew Paul to theologize, Jipp helps us anchor Paul’s work in the reality that he was seeking to promote flourishing churches and, in them, flourishing disciples. By providing as reading partners both ancient philosophers (who undoubtedly were known to Paul and whose teachings he intentionally engages), as well as current day positive psychologists (whose themes intersect with Paul’s teachings in many ways), we come to see not only Paul’s passion for the thriving of the church and believer, but also the unique shape of Christian flourishing that can—and should—inform biblical preaching and teaching.

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary: A study of Paul’s theology as an invitation to a flourishing life through participation in Christ, observing parallels and contrasts with both ancient philosophy and modern positive psychology.

The language of human flourishing may be found wherever one turns. That is not surprising since it is a matter of perennial concern to understand how one might live well. Joshua W. Jipp makes that the focus of a study that seeks to understand how both ancient philosophy and modern positive psychology have articulate how humans may be said to flourish. He then asks the same question of the theology of Paul showing both parallels and distinctives. In fact, Paul engaged the philosophies of his day, identifying both points of contact and the more excellent way of the Lord Jesus Christ. And this is our task today, addressing how the received truths of scripture speak to the important concerns of the day.

The first part of the book attempts to extrapolate some basic principles of human flourish of ancient philosophy and positive psychology in turn. Ancient philosophy recognized the necessity of a supreme good that offers both a model and rationale for a good life. It identified virtue, coupled with wisdom is central to the enjoyment of a good life. In the good life appropriate emotion must be aligned with virtuous action. Philosophy also addresses human nature and the puzzling aspect of why we do not always do the good we know. Finally, such philosophy must be all encompassing, addressing our relationships in society and the place of adversity as it relates to human flourishing.

Similarly, positive psychology focuses not on illness but on living well. Jipp summarizes positive psychology in five theses that parallel his summary of ancient philosophies:

1. Positive psychology is devoted to helping people flourish.
2. People flourish when they use and actualize their character strengths.
3. Flourishing requires good relationships in all spheres of life.
4. Adversity can make important contributions to human flourishing.
5. Flourishing requires practices and exercises.

One of the interesting parts of this chapter was the summary of the Virtues in Action (VIA) study and the list of virtuous character traits clustered around six: wisdom and knowledge, courage, humanity, justice, temperance, and transcendence.

The latter part of the book, then, considers Pauline theology with regard to human flourishing and in conversation with these other two. Jipp begins with the idea of transcendence. He proposes that in Paul, the goal of human existence, the supreme good is to share in the life of God through the person of Christ. This addresses the supreme human predicament, death, allowing us to live in resurrection hope. The moral life is rooted in the transformed mind in Christ through which we experience God’s life. This gives us the capacity to think, feel, and act as we ought as we are in union with Christ and empowered by his Spirit. Union with Christ unites us with his people, his body, his family, and his temple. This brings unity in diversity. Jipp explores the implications of this in Paul’s teaching on slaves, celibacy, marriage and the status of women. As such, the church visibly embodies Christ’s love and hospitality. Finally, we flourish in Christ through disciplines, practices, and exercises that position us to grow in the knowledge of Christ and the enjoyment of God.

What Jipp offers is an account of Paul’s theology that shows God’s intent that we flourish in Christ, growing in moral character, in community with his people and through spiritual practices. Much of this parallels both ancient philosophy and positive psychology, but what sets the Christian account apart is the empowering work of Christ aligning thought, emotion, and action, and offers an account of loving relationships that transcend divisions and bring diverse peoples together.

It does seem to me that what Jipp draws from Paul is shaped, at least in part, by his engagement with the other two systems. I wonder if Jipp would have articulated this theology of human flourishing in Paul in the same way if he had first pursued this study, and then engaged the other two. That said, Christian theology is often characterized as a constraint on human flourishing, a confinement on human freedom, and on the realization of the good life. This articulation of “positive” theology (though not apart from addressing the realities of sin, suffering, and death) offers resources for Christian engagement with interested spiritual seekers who may have considered both philosophy and positive psychology and still haven’t found what they are looking for.

________________________________

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher.

[Kristjan · Rating 5 out of 5]

St Paul, the Apostle to the Nations (Gentiles), whose epistles to the early churches account for nearly all of the New Testament outside of the Gospels has always had a major influence on the theology of Western Christianity (sometimes known as Pauline Christians). Recently there has been a lot of debate about Paul, with some theologians finding his interaction to be very restrictive and conservative while others point to areas where his is radically progressive for his time … all depending on what part of the corpus you emphasize and how you apply context to your interpretation. This book takes a more holistic approach in order to identify the primary concern of Paul … the promotion of human flourishing. Drawing on contemporary (positive psychology) and historical (Stoicism and Epicureanism), the author first works to define what Paul actually means when he talks about happiness and the good … and it is not exactly what most moderns think.

The basic idea here is that we are truly happy (aka flourish) when we are doing what we are supposed to be doing … what we were created to do … and for Paul, the ultimate end goal, or telos, is to share in the divine life of God. In addition to supporting Paul’s concern with how to help “persons-in-Christ” flourish with direct citations from Paul’s letters, the author compares and contrast Paul’s position against these other humanist philosophies to help reveal the nuance of what Paul is saying in a series of theses within an over arching topical chapter using language easily understood by a casual student … progressing from definitions to individual characteristics to social or communal obligations expected from anyone who wants to be like Christ (christian). More importantly, I think this book goes a long way to helping the modern reader understand that Paul’s ultimate goal was to build up the body of Christ (aka the Church) to be a community of sacrificial love of each other where the self is all but invisible (aka dead). It is a fairly quick read and well worth the effort.

1. Pauline Theology as a Quest for Living a good Human Life.

Part 1 - Ancient and Contemporary Visions of Human Flourishing.
2. Ancient Philosophy and the Quest for Human Flourishing
Thesis 1: Human Flourishing Necessitates a Supreme Good That Should Function as the Basis for All Human Activity
Thesis 2: Human Flourishing Is an Undertaking That Requires the Cultivation of Virtue, Good Character, and Self-Integration
Thesis 3: Human Flourishing Requires Cultivating Good Relationships among Friends and Family
Thesis 4: Human Flourishing Requires the Ability to Respond to Adversity and Prepare for One’s Own Death
Thesis 5: Human Flourishing Requires Cultivating Good Practices

3. Positive Psychology and the Quest for Human Flourishing
Thesis 1: Positive Psychology Is Devoted tp Helping People Flourish
Thesis 2: Humans Flourish When They Use and Actualize Character Strengths
Thesis 3: Flourishing Requires Good Relationships in All Spheres of Life
Theiss 4: Adversity Can Make Important Contributions to Human Flourishing
Thesis 5: Flourishing Requires Practices and Exercises

Part 1 - A Pauline Theology of the Good Life
4. Transcendence: Sharing in Christ’s Resurrection Life
Thesis 1: Relation to Christ Is Humanity’s Supreme Good (Phil 3:2-16)
Thesis 2: Death Is the Fundamental Human Predicament
Thesis 3: Christ Shares Divine Life with His People

5. Moral Agency: Sharing the Mind of Christ
Thesis 1: A Debased Mind Is Living Death, but a Transformed Mind is How We Experience Sharing in the Life of God
Thesis 2: Persons-in-Christ Are Divinely Given an Integrated Moral Agency Aiming toward Sharing in the Life of God
Thesis 3: Christ Is the Foundation for a New Epistemology for Persons-in-Christ

6. Love: The Body of Christ
Thesis 1: Persons-in-Christ Are a Sacred Community Related to Christ and to One Another
Thesis 2: Persons-in-Christ Compose One Unified People Despite Diverse Social Identities
Thesis 3: The Church Life Together Is a Visible Embodiment of Christ’s Love and Hospitality

7. Spiritual Practices: Cultivating the Character of Christ
Thesis 1: The Flourishing Life Is One of Active Engagement in the Pursuit of Christlike Character
Thesis 2: Flourishing Requires Generously Sharing Resources with One another
Thesis 3: Flourishing Requires Faithful Endurance and Patient Hope in the Promise of Resurrection Life in the Midst of Adversity
Thesis 4: Flourishing Requires Corporate Worship of the Triune God

I was given this free advance reader copy (ARC) ebook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

#PaulineTheologyAsAWayOfLife #NetGalley

[Isaac · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm writing this review as an apologist. And as an apologist, what immediately stands out to me in Pauline Theology as a Way of Life is that this is a work of cultural apologetics. The aim of cultural apologetics is to present Christianity in a way that helps people see it as the path to the life they've always longed for. In this case, Jipp argues that the Pauline way of life is the best way to satisfy those deep longings. I agree. But—as with much of cultural apologetics—there's a fundamental issue it rarely addresses: What if someone's current way of life already feels deeply satisfying to them? What if their Epicurean, Stoic, or even hedonistic lifestyle is working, at least by their own measure?

The standard response tends to go something like this:
[1] Deep down, you’re not truly happy.
[2] Your happiness is fragile—contingent on material things that can be lost.
[3] Sooner or later, your way of life will leave you feeling empty.

But what about those who remain unmoved by this logic? What if they're simply apathetic to the idea of a different way of life? In the West—where I'm writing from—technological and medical advances have created a level of comfort that makes people feel like they don’t need God. From a Christian perspective, that’s not surprising. If you were the enemy, wouldn’t it be strategic to offer a counterfeit sense of peace to keep people from seeking God? So the deeper question becomes: What should the Christian evangelist or apologist do in response? And before that can be answered, we need to ask: Is cultural apologetics ultimately consequentialist? Christianity isn’t true because it “works” or brings human flourishing; rather, it works because it’s true. Cultural apologetics can inadvertently flip that logic, suggesting that Christianity is worth embracing because it offers the good life. While I believe it does lead to the good life, that’s not the foundation of its truth.

At worst, this approach risks becoming utilitarian. And ironically, what cultural apologetics often tries to avoid—preaching judgment and repentance—may still prove necessary. In the end, even Paul, when addressing pagan Gentiles in Athens, spoke of judgment. That wasn't incidental; it was essential. I realize I've digressed and critiqued cultural apologetics more broadly, even though Jipp doesn’t explicitly label his book as such. But I bring this up because I approached the book as an apologist. If Jipp’s work is used for discipleship—or as a supplement to preaching that includes sin, judgment, and grace—then I’m fully on board.

[Ethan · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you sat down with Paul of Tarsus and asked him for a short explanation of what human flourishing looks like, what would he say?

Such is the question taken up by Joshua Jipp in Pauline Theology as a Way of Life: A Vision of Human Flourishing in Christ.

Of discussions regarding Paul and his theology there is no end, and most of them end up getting locked into the various doctrinal disputations which have marked successive phases of Christian doctrinal history.

The author has done well at setting aside most such things and to focus on the much more “practical” question, asking what Paul would think it is all about in the end.

To this end he introduces two conversation partners: ancient philosophy and modern positive psychology. The work begins by setting forth the narratives about each of these three: who they are and what they represent. The author then sets forth various theses regarding what Paul would suggest in terms of human flourishing, and compares and contrasts those premises with the perspectives which would be found in ancient philosophy and modern positive psychology.

The author well concludes his analysis: Paul would find human flourishing best in joint participation in the life of God in Christ through the Spirit, both with God and with fellow Christians, having died to sin and cultivating the fruit of the Spirit, and all with a view toward sharing in the resurrection of life. We can see where ancient philosophies and modern positive psychology are in alignment with this goal, yet neither could or would go as far as Paul would in these matters, and have very different end points because of their very different goals and frameworks.

Therefore, the premises and the conclusion are sound; the analysis requires some familiarity with the New Testament and Pauline theology but not necessarily at the scholarly level. This would be a profitable book for all Christians who wish to consider what Paul is actually about in the end, especially in light of the ancient philosophies and modern positive psychology which tend to animate many in the secular world and whose principles are often introduced, whether in ignorance or through malevolence, into Christian faith and exhortation.

[Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best mix of theology, cultural evaluation, and practical action.
If you ever wondered how the apostle Paul might respond to our modern way of life, then this is the book you need to read. This book has helped me not only understand Paul’s writings better, but also help me to evaluate the philosophies and way of life in our own day.
Dr. Jipp helps us see that Paul’s theology isn’t just about abstract claims, but Paul’s theological claims are “in service of his understanding of what it means for humans to flourish, to live well, and to find true happiness.” What’s brilliant about this book is that Dr. Jipp shows how these questions about the good life have captivated humanity from the ancient philosophers to our modern psychologists. And when we look at the apostle Paul through this lens, we find commonality as well difference. Thus, Dr. Jipp argues, “for Paul, sharing in God’s life through Christ and the gift of the Spirit involves a death to sin and a transformation of one’s moral agency whereby one becomes more and more like Christ and is, thereby, enabled to share in eschatological resurrection life.”
Most of this book goes back and forth comparing and evaluating ancient philosophy with modern day philosophy/positive psychology, and then comparing this to Paul’s writings, showing how Paul’s understanding of what God has done through Christ answers some of life’s most fundamental questions.
One of the best things about this book, however, is that Dr. Jipp takes that next step to show what sharing in the life of God looks like, in concept and in practice.
This book is a great contribution to Christian thought and life. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to think more deeply about our current day and who wants to understand how Paul’s writings shape our thought and life.

[Matthew W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Buy this book—highly recommended

If you have found this book, buy it. It is likely that you are a church leader or church member, if so, this book offers great insights not only into Paul, Christianity, the “Good Life” or Human Flourishing as defined by Paul, but will help you and others you share it with grow more Christlike. The framing really helps to make Paul’s meaning clearer with a lens that I have not found in specific letter commentaries. If you are looking for work on Ancient Philosophy and modern Positive Psychology, and how the Christian vision of human flourishing compares, this book is an incredible resource that pulls together vast information across these three subjects. The Ancient Philosophy and Positive Psychology sections or aspects are not as long and deep as the Pauline parts—thankfully!—but it is deep enough to allow for meaningful comparison and understanding.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley for the review copy.

Jipp's work is a theologically dense journey into the art of flourishing from a Christian slash philosophical framework. The author balances this journey against the backdrop of positive psychology, in which the journey is situated within Paul’s letters on what can create and exemplify human flourishing at its finest, especially among those marked as followers of Jesus. Highly recommended for those who dip into the world of Paul. It's an honest exhaustion into Paul's mission on what it means to be a Christian.

[Joel Wentz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely love the framing and positioning of this project, and I think Jipp does an admirable job weaving very-different sources and philosophies to illuminate what is distinct about Paul's writing and thinking. It's very thought-provoking, I just wish it went into more depth, especially in certain areas of discussion. Very good though.

Full video review here: https://youtu.be/M5F0e_VO9Ko

[Nolan Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent discussion of Paul's theology and a terrific comparative study; all in one package!

[Tim Franks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bible College or Seminary textbook style writing. In the weeds at times. Some of the theological defense is lacking in the work. Some helpful things, but not one of the best I have read this year.

[Tim Wester · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good and worth the read about flourishing