Jesus Have I Loved, but Paul?: A Narrative Approach to the Problem of Pauline Christianity [Paperback]

J. R. Daniel Kirk (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2012

Readers of the Bible are often drawn to Jesus's message and ministry, but they are not as positively inclined toward Paul. What should people who love Jesus do with Paul? Here Pauline scholar J. R. Daniel Kirk offers a fresh and timely engagement of the debated relationship between Paul's writings and the portrait of Jesus contained in the Gospels. He integrates the messages of Jesus and Paul both with one another and with the Old Testament, demonstrating the continuity that exists between these two foundational figures. After laying out the narrative contours of the Christian life, Kirk provides fresh perspective on challenging issues facing today's world, from environmental concerns to social justice to homosexuality.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

A Storied Gospel for Followers of Jesus

"If a book about Jesus and Paul could ever be a page-turner, this is that book. Daniel Kirk invites us to learn from Paul as a faithful interpreter of Jesus, dispelling frequent misinterpretations of both the Lord and his apostle. As Kirk himself says, the heart of this volume is the claim that both Jesus and Paul tell the story of Israel's God as a narrative that includes you, me, and the whole created order. If we listen to his wise counsel, we will become more faithful communities of the cross-shaped, life-giving gospel."
--Michael J. Gorman, The Ecumenical Institute of Theology, St. Mary's Seminary & University

"For a book to wed careful New Testament study with clear and challenging pastoral application makes it noteworthy. What makes this book exceptional is that Kirk goes far beyond even this. He addresses a complex and commonly felt set of controversies about Jesus, Paul, women, sexuality, and homosexuality and does so in particularly careful, unflinching ways. He earns the reader's trust by demonstrating an interpretive manner that both honors Scripture and wrestles with it. Any opinionated reader sure about Jesus or Paul needs to listen again and will find this book to be a gift that speaks to the academy, to the church, and to those far beyond the walls of both."
--Mark Labberton, Fuller Theological Seminary

"The perceived tensions between the presentation of the life and message of Jesus contained in the Gospels and Paul's account of that message are well documented and have been the subject of much historical and theological wrestling. In this volume Daniel Kirk outlines a narrative approach to Pauline Christianity that deconstructs some common and problematic assumptions as well as presents a compelling vision of Paul's gospel that is in deep continuity with the message of Jesus. In so doing, he renders a Paul who speaks powerfully to the church of the twenty-first century and the world to which it is called to bear witness."
--John R. Franke, First Presbyterian Church, Allentown, PA

About the Author

J. R. Daniel Kirk (PhD, Duke University) is assistant professor of New Testament at Fuller Theological Seminary's Northern California campus in Menlo Park, California. He is the author of Unlocking Romans: Resurrection and the Justification of God as well as numerous articles.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Baker Academic (January 1, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 080103910X
• ISBN-13: 978-0801039102
• Product Dimensions: 5.6 x 0.6 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #474,535 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I am the New Testament professor at Fuller Theological Seminary in Northern California.

My theological interests swirl around the narrative dynamics of the New Testament writings. In particular, I'm captivated by the ways that the NT writers end up retelling the OT stories in order to write Jesus and their Christian communities into the story of Israel and Israel's God.

I recently published Jesus Have I Loved, but Paul? and before that, Unlocking Romans: Resurrection and the Justification of God. My work takes place at the intersection of history, narrative, and theology. Jesus Have I Loved but Paul ends up being something akin to a concise introduction to biblical theology and New Testament ethics.

When I'm not doing my nerdy professor thing, I read the likes of Flannery O'Connor and Walker Percy, watch Coen Brothers movies, and strive to contribute to the quality of life of all my friends and followers through the composition of witty, snarky, and/or sarcastic Twitter and Facebook updates.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Bold Vision January 5, 2012

By hmotes

Format:Paperback

I don't read as much theology as I used to, but ate up this well-written book during a day of flying.

Dr. Kirk has nailed the post-Reformed, progressive trajectory of the storied, union with Christ, and cosmos encompassing gospel. While the overt intention of the book is to link the stories and teachings of Jesus to the letters of Paul (which Kirk accomplishes convincingly), there is a more subtle task at hand. I read the first few chapters as a kind of manifesto, as the broadest and clearest articulation of that vision I have come across.

And the chapters of working out the implications of this theological vision in areas of justice and sex were clear and bold. People on various sides of these perennial issues will be challenged by Dr. Kirk's steps beyond the typical argumentation.

Highly recommended.

24 of 28 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read from an exciting up and coming scholar! December 20, 2011

By Lawrence Garcia

Format:Paperback

Momentary confession, Jesus on the pages of the Gospels--the champion for the poor and marginalized, the healer of the diseased, the denouncer of oppressive structures, and the reconstituter of communities--"Have I loved." "But Paul?"--the author of draconian household codes, impossible ethical standards, and authorial affirming dogma--has often left me living out a type of Christianity that oscilates between Jesus' baptism and Damascus road. It is precisely such a dilemma that J.R. Daniel Kirk's latest book Jesus Have I Loved, but Paul?: A Narrative Approach to the Problem of Pauline Christianity sets out to solve through a narrative re-reading of the Pauline corpus. Kirk states, "Such a positioning of Paul within the larger narrative sweep of Israel's history... frames the invitation to rediscover the apostle on the following pages."

Kirk begins this narrative rediscovery of Paul with God himself as understood not in the abstract categories of omni-this or omni-that, but "as someone who is at work within and even bound to the story of Israel." In other words, before we can demonstrate that Paul is in continuity with Jesus' ministry we must first ground them within the story they both understood themselves to be playing a part. This methodology is somewhat characteristic of how the rest of the chapters are constructed: (1) the story of Israel's God and his people, (2) the story of Jesus as it relates to this foundational narrative, and (3) how Paul's life and teaching fit neatly within the two. Albeit in a more concise manner, this is asserted by Kirk:"For now the important takeaway is that Jesus as we meet him on the Gospels is not living out a self-contained story.... He is acting out a final, climactic scene in the ongoing drama of Israel that stretches back to creation and comes to its promised resolution with his death and resurrection."

It is when we place the various topics that Kirk brings to the table to be examined within this narrative framework--"Christianity as Community," "Judgment and inclusion," and "Liberty and Justice for All," just to name a few--that Paul, time and again, is proven to be in harmony with Jesus as portrayed in the Gospel stories. Thus, the very things that so often characterized Jesus' ministry that we pre-Paulinists so cherish can finally begin to shine forth from beneath the caricatures of the Apostle: justice for the poor at Corinth, inclusion of the Gentiles at Galatia, and recognition of women's ability to play roles normally reserved for males. All actions we'd expect from our beloved Galilean! Moreover, what I appreciated as Kirk teased out this storied-coherence between Jesus and Paul was that it was done with exceptional exegesis, honesty at points of contention, familiarity with first century culture, and an open willingness to re-assess some parts of our texts, inspired as they are, which may themselves need to be rethought in light of this cruciformed narrative.

Overall, this book serves as a healthy corrective for those who, like myself, see a polarized relationship between the Messiah Jesus and the Apostle Paul. If allowed to have its intended impact, what we will see in our scholarship, teaching, and preaching is the great unifying theme that the one creator God has and is inviting us all to take our role within this redemptive narrative that Jesus fulfilled with pierced hands and that Paul's beautiful feet proclaimed. And maybe, just maybe, having finally put the book down find yourself saying, "Jesus and Paul have I loved." I know I did. Read more ›

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Dubious Disciple Book Review August 2, 2012

By Dubious Disciple

Format:Paperback

This one gets off to a bit of a slow start, but finishes strong. With an enigmatic subject like Paul, and a provocative title like this one, I expected a more pointed discussion. It's only when we reach the midpoint that the really controversial topics emerge: women's role in the church, slavery, homosexuality, marriage and divorce, etc.

Kirk begins his book by confessing his early ambivalence toward Paul. Only after much study, and by recognizing that Paul's teachings and Jesus' teachings do steer toward one another, did he come to appreciate Paul's slant. This acceptance appears to have come at a cost: Kirk began to realize that not only did Paul tend toward Jesus in his teachings, but Jesus tended toward Paul!

For example, Jesus says we should not judge one another. But is that the whole story? Worry about the log in your own eye, and ignore the speck of dust in your neighbor's? Hardly. Jesus says get the log out of your eye so that you can see to help your brother get rid of his problem. If we condemn Paul for encouraging what looks like strict judgment of others (1 Cor. 5:12-13), we should remember Jesus' admonition to recognize others by their fruits and beware.

Paul may best be understood under the lens of Storied Theology. By telling the story of mankind, from Adam and Eve through Paul's day, he fits the Gentiles into the cosmic plan of God. He brings non-Jews into the fold, makes them feel like they belong, and defines their role as full participants.

Kirk writes as a studied believer, meaning his perspective is most definitely that of a practicing Christian, yet he's been around the block long enough to realize that every question about the Bible has a dozen scholarly answers ... half of them legitimate.... For example, Kirk acknowledges that many of the Pauline letters may be pseudonymous, and he focuses more intently on the universally recognized authentic letters, yet he doesn't press the issue.

Kirk doesn't sit on the fence when it comes to interpreting the words of the Bible, though. Paul doesn't pull punches, and neither does Kirk. Still, this is a respectful and thought-provoking book. Read more ›

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Yes Yes Yes Yes YES! May 29, 2012

By Troy McClure

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I wish that I could give this book ten stars. Reading this was like drinking from a fresh spring on a hot day. The author uses the biblical narrative as a foundation for understanding the messages of both Jesus and Paul, and he then goes on to use this foundation to help us better understand some of Paul's more difficult passages and topics. I should probably admit up front that I was already a fan of narrative theology and interpreting the biblical text through this approach, but this book did such an excellent job (in a pretty short number of pages!) of both laying the foundation and showing how it makes a difference in how we (Christians) live in the world (or at least how we *should*). For my tastes, the author struck the perfect balance of being faithful to the biblical text while taking seriously the issues that we encounter in today's world. Common sense interpretation just explodes off the page. If more Christians took this approach to interpreting the Bible and living out their faith, we could certainly change the world for the better. If you've ever struggled with Paul, even to the point of being slightly ashamed of parts of the Bible, this book is for you. I will be recommending this book to all my friends.