Introducing Paul: The Man, His Mission and His MessageMany Christians who know and love the Bible think they know the apostle Paul. He's a theological master, a pastoral mentor, a spiritual adviser and a missionary hero. Yet just when we think we have him in our grasp, he slips through our fingers. At the point where we suppose we have finally understood him, Paul again confounds us. But he also beckons us to explore God's ways more deeply. Michael Bird suggests that if the Paul we claim to know looks and sounds a lot like us, it's probably a warning light that we don't know him as well as we think we do. But if we let Paul be Paul, allowing him to speak for himself in his language, on his terms and for his purposes, then we stand a chance of meeting him anew. Introducing Paul is an animated and penetrating survey of Paul's life and teaching. It covers all the basics students need, while offering new insights with a light touch. Blending life and study, Bird aims to get us excited about reading Paul's letters, sharing his gospel and living the Christian life the way he thought it should be lived. For beginning students and laypeople, Introducing Paul is a valuable entrance into the contemporary study of Paul. |
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User Review - Steve D. - Christianbook.com
This is a faithful, helpful introduction to the apostle Paul, his theology, and his epistles. Bird treats a broad range of important themes, including the essential content of Paul's gospel, the ... Read full review
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Michael F. Bird is one of my favorite Pauline scholars. Also, my favorite quote from this book is:
However, we do not have the complete story on Paul by any stretch of the imagination. Instead, what we have through the letters is something like a clip of highlights from a film that played on the big screen long ago. . . . There is no solving him, no domesticating him by way of any theological system, however elaborate, and there is no end to the maze of interpretations about him.
Epilogue, page 169.
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Common terms and phrases
Abraham According to Paul Acts Adam Adam’s apostle argue atonement become believers blessings Caesar called Christ Jesus Christ’s death church circumcision Colossians context Corinth Corinthians covenant creation cross crucified Damascus death and resurrection different divine effect Ephesians Epistles eschatology exhortation faith Father final find first firstborn flesh Galatians Genesis Gentiles glory God's God’s gospel grace Greco-Roman holiness homosexuality human imperial cult Israel Jerusalem Jewish Christians Jews Jews and Gentiles Judaism justification live means Messiah ministry mission missionary Mosaic covenant Mosaic law Moses N. T. Wright obedience offers Old Testament parousia pastoral Pastoral Epistles Paul says Paul writes Paul's Paul’s gospel Paul’s letters Paul’s theology Pauline Penal Substitution persecution person Phil Philippians promises reconciliation redeem redemption reference reflection renewal righteousness Romans Rome sacrifice salvation saving Scriptures sexual significance sins slaves Spirit story suffering Thess Thessalonians things Timothy tion Torah words worship wrath
Bibliographic information
| Title | Introducing Paul: The Man, His Mission and His Message |
| Author | Michael F. Bird |
| Edition | reprint |
| Publisher | InterVarsity Press, 2009 |
| ISBN | 0830828974, 9780830828975 |
| Length | 192 pages |
| Subjects | › › Religion / Biblical Studies / New Testament Religion / Biblical Studies / Paul's Letters |
| Export Citation | BiBTeX EndNote RefMan |