Meet Paul Again for the First Time: Jewish Apostle of Pagan Redemption
Ebook
Overview
This bold, new look at the apostle Paul will challenge longtime thinking about the “apostle to the gentiles.” Unfortunately, common misperceptions and outdated characterizations continue to prevail in mainstream teaching and preaching about Paul. Meet Paul Again for the First Time introduces readers to a brand-new Paul which, as it turns out, was the original Paul all along. With clarity and purpose, Clausen rejects unfounded preconceptions about the apostle. For example, he did not teach a “law-free gospel,” he did not reject Judaism or the law, and he did not see himself as a miserable sinner who found forgiveness only in Christ. Based on a reappraisal of first-century Judaism, recognition of the pagan targets of Paul’s mission, and an appreciation for Paul’s skill as a Greco-Roman rhetorician and interpreter of Jewish scripture, Meet Paul Again brings consistency and clarity to critical Pauline concepts including the new covenant, works of the law, preservation and deliverance, the future of Israel, and the status of gentiles in God’s family. Paul’s was a mission of inclusiveness. His primary objective was to preserve sinning gentiles from God’s wrath, and welcome them in worship beside their Jewish brothers and sisters, before the imminent arrival of the great and terrible Day of the Lord.
“A new paradigm for reading the apostle Paul has recently
emerged: Paul addresses only ‘gentiles’ and should be read within,
not in opposition to, his native Judaism. Informed by this
perspective, Clausen presents a different but still recognizable
image of Paul. This ‘liberated Paul’ originates from a consistent
reading of Paul’s addressees as gentile, enhanced by clear thinking
and uncluttered presentation. Scholars, students, and interested
wider readership will welcome this thought-provoking ‘reconstructed
Paul.’”
—William S. Campbell, University of Potsdam
“In clear, concise, and careful style, Clausen introduces
readers to many of the changes taking place in Pauline scholarship,
especially among those rereading Paul within Judaism, at the same
time advancing many new insights on specific topics and texts.
Anyone interested in discovering ways to understand Paul apart from
the traditional (and New Perspective) negative characterizations of
Jews, Judaism, and Torah observance will without doubt find this a
very welcome contribution.”
—Mark D. Nanos, Lund University
- Title: Meet Paul Again for the First Time: Jewish Apostle of Pagan Redemption
- Author: David Christian Clausen
- Publisher: Wipf and Stock
- Print Publication Date: 2021
- Logos Release Date: 2024
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Ebook
- ISBNs: 9781666719581, 1666719587
- Resource ID: LLS:9781666719581
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2024-10-23T09:01:34Z
David Christian Clausen is Adjunct Lecturer of New Testament
studies at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He is the
author of The Upper Room and Tomb of David: The History, Art and
Archaeology of the Cenacle on Mount Zion (2016).