Meeting St. Paul Today: Understanding the Man, His Mission, and His Message

by Daniel J. Harrington

A Clear and Compelling Portrait of Paul from One of the Church’s Leading Scholars

The teachings of St. Paul infuse just about everything Christians believe and practice, yet most people know very little about this great apostle of the Church. In Meeting St. Paul Today, one of the most respected scholars in the Catholic faith, Daniel Harrington, SJ, brings Paul and his teachings to life. Harrington, who writes with great admiration for the apostle and his ministry, covers three main topics in this helpful and highly readable book for any discerning Christian. First, he describes what Paul was really like, from his days as a Pharisee to his arduous years as a missionary. Second, he thoughtfully surveys the specific purpose, major points, and other compelling particulars of each epistle. Finally, he helps readers properly interpret Paul’s letters through literary, historical, and theological lenses.With Father Harrington as your guide, you’ll come to know Paul like never before and, as a result, to understand fully the mission to which he devoted his life and the message he proclaimed to the world.

Genres: Theology, Religion, Biblical Studies, Catholic

160 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 1, 2008

About the author

Rev. Father Daniel J. Harrington, SJ, was a professor of New Testament studies and chairman of Biblical Studies at Boston College’s School of Theology and Ministry. He received a PhD in biblical languages and literatures from Harvard University. A past president of the Catholic Biblical Association, he wrote more than two dozen books about the Old Testament and the New Testament.

Reviews

[Cathryn Conroy · Rating 5 out of 5]

St. Paul may be the most misunderstood man in the New Testament. He is credited with writing 13 of the books in the New Testament, although scholars today believe that only seven were authentically authored by Paul. If Paul is the saint whom we love to hate, it's typically because of the things he purportedly wrote--but didn't.

This is one of five books in a set written by the late Daniel J. Harrington, a Roman Catholic priest, prolific writer, and professor of the New Testament at Boston College's School of Theology and Ministry, that explain the four gospels and the Pauline letters in a succinct, easy-to-understand way.

In addition to a brief commentary exploring who Paul was, the bulk of the book is an explanation of the 13 epistles credited to St. Paul with a special focus on how biblical texts can shape our modern Christian thinking and flow naturally into the spiritual lives of people of faith. Each epistle is examined using literary analysis, including context, words, images, characters, structure, and form.

Harrington believes that St. Paul is a great figure not only of the past, but also for the present and future. He shows how Paul's problems are our problems, as well as how Paul's answers to those problems can be our answers today.

One finding that may surprise you is how much Paul recognized the prominence of women in his mission and ministry and the high value he placed on collaborative ministry. The many negative comments Paul made about women—especially that they shouldn't speak in church, teach, or hold authority—are in the epistles that he likely did not write.

Advice: To get the most out of it, read this book along with a copy of your favorite New Testament translation.

[Mari]

A remarkable and character building story of Saul to Paul. A man persecuted many times and still fights to be a witness and spreads Jesus to pagan places. Faith-building and inspiring.

[Stephen Maguire · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was hoping for inspiration. No luck.