Paul: The Man and the Myth (Studies on Personalities of the New Testament) [Hardcover]

Calvin J. Roetzel (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1998 | Series: Studies on Personalities of the New Testament

Paul: The Man and the Myth opens the window into the humanity of the most influential apostle of the early Christian church and, in doing so, offers a fresh view of this important historical figure. In examining the apostle and his theology, Calvin J. Roetzel vividly depicts Paul's world - the land where he grew up, the language he spoke, the scriptures he studied, and the lessons he learned in letter writing and rhetoric. Roetzel presents an evangelist anxious about the welfare of his churches, a theologian facing fierce opposition, a missionary at the mercy of the elements, and a man suffering physical assault, slander, and imprisonment. In contrast to the powerful hero described in Acts and the Apocryphal Acts, Roetzel's portrayal presents a physically weak, even sickly, theologian; a letter writer; and a preacher unskilled in speech. Questioning the historicity of widely held beliefs about the apostle - including his Roman citizenship - Roetzel suggests that Paul never abandoned ties to his native Judaism or to the Hellenistic culture of his childhood. Roetzel underscores that no matter how Paul's image has changed through history, he remains forever tied to support for the weak and vulnerable, faith in one God, and the transgressing of social boundaries.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...this is a charmingly constructed, and rich and yet readable, set of reflections on Paul." --International Journal of Systematic Theology 3.2 (July 2001) --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author

Calvin J. Roetzel is Arnold Lowe Professor of Religious Studies, Macalester College, St Paul, Minnesota. > --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 269 pages
• Publisher: Univ of South Carolina Pr; 1ST edition (October 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1570032645
• ISBN-13: 978-1570032646
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.9 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,235,736 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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