Re-examining Paul's Letters [Paperback]

Bo Reicke (Author), Ingalisa Reicke (Author), David P. Moessner (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2001

Before his untimely death in 1987, renowned New Testament scholar Bo Reicke was working on a manuscript in which he had solved the riddle of the Pastorals and the "deutero-Paulines" by fitting them seamlessly into Paul's work as known from Acts and from the acknowledged Pauline letters. In Re-examining Paul’s Letters, Reicke concludes that the generally accepted theory that the deutero-Paulines were written after Paul's death presents too many inconsistencies when viewed historically. Reicke argues that the emphases of the deutero-Paulines did not represent known problems and theological concerns of the period 70-100 C.E. as presented in the sub-apostolic literature. He also demonstrates that current theories in New Testament scholarship do not explain the wealth of details found in either the “undisputed” or deutero-Pauline letters. Details, such as names of colleagues and Christian acquaintances, instructions of Paul to these known characters which divulge movements and itineraries of Paul in harmony with his other letters, and a host of greetings, would simply be nonsense to people of a later generation, but make perfectly good sense if written by Paul or one of his associates. Reicke develops the notion of a Pauline school that takes full account of the diversity, versatility, and adaptability of Paul's colleagues that produced a variety of styles and sub-genres. Unlike many previous attempts to describe the history of the Pauline correspondence, this book weaves a whole new tapestry of Paul's priorities for the gospel. Bo Reicke was for many years Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity at the University of Basel, Switzerland. He is the author of The New Testament Era. David P. Moessner is Professor of Biblical Theology at the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary. Ingalisa Reicke is Bo Reicke's widow, and for many years co-edited Theologische Zeitschrift with her husband.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Reicke's approach to Pauline chronology has a unique flair compared to many other modern reconstructions. He accounted for all thirteen of Paul's letters, including the Pastoral Epistles, and has confidence in the basic accuracy of the description of Paul's career in the Acts of the Apostles."-- The Bible Today, July/August 2002

"This volume contains the culmination of much of Prof. Reicke's meticulous historical investigations on the early church. With that work he develops a unique reconstruction of the chronology of Paul's mission. Eschewing literary and theological questions and accepting the basic historical reliability of Acts allows Riecke to attribute all thirteen letters of the Pauline corpus to Paul without relying on a return to the Aegean region after his Roman imprisonment. All readers will find a significant challenge to commonly held reconstructions of Paul's mission and literary activity." (Jerry L. Sumney )

"The lectures make an important contribution and are a pleasure to read. Their clarity of style and originality of thought make them accessible to all, from beginning student to mature scholar. This book is recommended for all collections that include studies of the history of New Testament documents, as a possible alternative to prevailing views."--L. Gaston, emeritus, Vancouver School of Theology, Choice, June 2002. (L. Gaston, emeritus, Vancouver School of Theology )

"This volume contains the culmination of much of Prof. Reicke's meticulous historical investigations on the early church. With that work he develops a unique reconstruction of the chronology of Paul's mission. Eschewing literary and theological questions and accepting the basic historical reliability of Acts allows Riecke to attribute all thirteen letters of the Pauline corpus to Paul without relying on a return to the Aegean region after his Roman imprisonment. All readers will find a significant challenge to commonly held reconstructions of Paul's mission and literary activity." (, )

"The lectures make an important contribution and are a pleasure to read. Their clarity of style and originality of thought make them accessible to all, from beginning student to mature scholar. This book is recommended for all collections that include studies of the history of New Testament documents, as a possible alternative to prevailing views."--L. Gaston, emeritus, Vancouver School of Theology, Choice, June 2002. (, )

About the Author

Bo Reicke was for many years Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity at the University of Basel, Switzerland. He is the author of The New Testament Era. David P. Moessner is Professor of Biblical Theology at the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary. Ingalisa Reicke is Bo Reicke's widow, and for many years co-edited Theologische Zeitschrift with her husband.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Trinity Press Int'l (November 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1563383500
• ISBN-13: 978-1563383502
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,262,463 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)