Ebook
Paul's discipleship agenda was defined by his native Jewish apocalyptic worldview. The novelties of his thought--namely, the death of Israel's Messiah, the unique gift of God's Spirit, and the intentional mission to the gentiles--seem to be framed within the common Jewish eschatological parameters of the day of the Lord, the judgment, the resurrection of the dead, and the messianic kingdom. Moreover, for Paul this eschatology was the primary driver of discipleship--comforting in the midst of tribulation, anchoring the gifts of the Spirit, and informing divine mission. Paul thus discipled the gentiles into the hope of Israel.
“Few books are as exciting and so prone to engage the reader from its opening chapters to its ending summary as Extending Mercy to Gentiles. This book is another signal to the body of Christ to observe how eschatology is the general driver of biblical theology and how we need as interpreters to be more ‘Israelocentric’ in how we think and depict the message of the Bible. I heartily endorse this volume and pray for its wide appreciation in our day and times.”
—Walter C. Kaiser Jr., president emeritus, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
“John Harrigan’s Extending Mercy to the Gentiles brings fresh understanding of Pauline discipleship within the framework of Paul’s indigenous Jewish apocalyptic worldview. With an intriguing thesis and argument sustained by excellent engagement with the literature, Harrigan prudently leads the reader to a strong conclusion: Paul discipled Gentiles into the unaltered Jewish apocalyptic narrative, rather than away from it, together with the knowledge of God and hope of eternal life.”
—Robert L. Gallagher, professor emeritus of intercultural studies, Wheaton College
John P. Harrigan is a church planter and missions trainer. He and his family work in the Middle East and have a passion for the cross, the return of Jesus, and the Great Commission.