Overview

The apostle Paul was kind of a jerk.He was arrogant and stubborn. He called his opponents derogatory, racist names. He legitimized slavery and silenced women. He was a moralistic, homophobic killjoy who imposed his narrow religious views on others. Or was he?Randolph Richards and Brandon O'Brien explore the complicated persona and teachings of the apostle Paul. Unpacking his personal history and cultural context, they show how Paul both offended Roman perspectives and scandalized Jewish sensibilities. His vision of Christian faith was deeply disturbing to those in his day and remains so in ours.Paul behaved badly, but not just in the ways we might think. Take another look at Paul and see why this ""worst of sinners"" dares to say, ""Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.""

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9780830844722

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I often hear people say, 'The apostle Paul was a sexist, homophobic bigot, so who cares what he thinks?' Well, Randy Richards and Brandon O'Brien care what he thinks, and they want to make sure that we get a proper picture of Paul, warts and all! They show that while Paul is much maligned, he is little understood, and they act like an attorney cross-examining the controversial apostle on scintillating topics like slavery, women, and homosexuality to get to the bottom of the issues. This is no whitewash; it is an honest grappling with one of the most controversial figures of Western religious history. Whether you love Paul or despise him, you'll never see him the same way again after reading this book! --Michael F. Bird, lecturer in theology, Ridley College, Melbourne

Lay readers taking a closer look at Paul will find this book illuminating and learn a lot about a man who played an integral role in shaping Christianity.--Publishers Weekly, Sept. 12, 2016

Accessible, informative, and concise, this book is for those new to the study of Christianity or religion in general. --P. K. Moser, CHOICE, April 2017 Richards and O'Brien hold a high view of Scripture. They're also quite conversant and familiar with culture and worldview of Paul, leading to ample insights and understandings of Paul's teachings. For those curious about what Paul taught and for followers of Jesus and the Bible, Richards and O'Brien are able guides. Recommended. --Neil Bartlett, Christian Market, November 2016

Was Paul a racist? A sexist? A homophobe? Just kind of a jerk? Modern readers are often offended by the apostle's strong words and apparently politically incorrect views. Richards and O'Brien do not sugarcoat or shy away from these issues. Instead, they dig deep into the first-century world to understand Paul on his own terms and in terms of the cultures in which he lived. The result is a deeper understanding of the radical impact of the gospel that Paul preached. This is a great book, full of clarity, nuance, and insight. --Mark L. Strauss, university professor of New Testament, Bethel Seminary, San Diego Richards and O'Brien offer the latest installment in IVP's Behaving Badly books. Unlike when God or Jesus seems to behave badly, we need not exonerate Paul of everything he did, even when it is narrated in Scripture. The stakes are higher with what he taught, however. Our authors show that Paul's teaching surpassed the quality of his peers, even if he didn't go all the way toward certain positions we might wish he held. This is an easy-to-read, judicious guide to responding to Paul's apparent misogyny, homophobia, Scripture-twisting, hypocrisy, and more. In some instances there are other credible options as well, but Richards and O'Brien always give us defensible options. Highly recommended for all who are troubled about these issues or who want to help those who are troubled about them. --Craig L. Blomberg, distinguished professor of New Testament, Denver Seminary I often hear people say, 'The apostle Paul was a sexist, homophobic bigot, so who cares what he thinks?' Well, Randy Richards and Brandon O'Brien care what he thinks, and they want to make sure that we get a proper picture of Paul, warts and all! They show that while Paul is much maligned, he is little understood, and they act like an attorney cross-examining the controversial apostle on scintillating topics like slavery, women, and homosexuality to get to the bottom of the issues. This is an honest grappling with one of the most controversial figures of Western religious history. Whether you love Paul or despise him, you'll never see him the same way again after reading this book! --Michael F. Bird, lecturer in theology, Ridley College, Melbourne Lay readers taking a closer look at Paul will find this book illuminating and learn a lot about a man who played an integral role in shaping Christianity.--Publishers Weekly, Sept. 12, 2016 Richards and O'Brien hold a high view of Scripture. They're also quite conversant and familiar with culture and worldview of Paul, leading to ample insights and understandings of Paul's teachings. For those curious about what Paul taught and for followers of Jesus and the Bible, Richards and O'Brien are able guides. Recommended. --Neil Bartlett, Christian Market, November 2016

Author Information

E. Randolph Richards (PhD, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary) is dean and professor of biblical studies in the School of Ministry at Palm Beach Atlantic University. His books include Rediscovering Jesus, Rediscovering Paul, The Story of Israel and Paul and First-Century Letter Writing. Brandon J. O'Brien (PhD, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School) is assistant professor of Christian theology at Ouachita Baptist University and director of OBU at New Life Church. O'Brien is a senior editor for Leadership Journal. Together O'Brien and Richards are coauthors of Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes.

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