The Theology of Paul the Apostle [Paperback]

James D. G. Dunn (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 17, 2006

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Editorial Reviews

Review

"An exceptionally fine presentation of Pauline theology - detailed yet clear, lavishly documented yet readable; a major contribution to clarification and order in this confused and controversial field of study." —C. F. D. Moule "Dunn assembles his classic, distinctive handiwork in a format that is seamless in its flow, up to date in its scholarship, and (as ever) easily accessible in its presentation.... As a resource book for the study of what Paul had to say on any particular topic, this book is unequalled, as one of the most important of modern Pauline scholars assesses the texts in his own distinguished way." —Anvil "Surely this is James Dunn's best book so far. His magisterial, lucid exposition of Paul's thought will be welcomed warmly by scholars, teachers, and students alike. This is a work of outstanding scholarship: there is no comparable book in English." —Graham N. Stanton "...provides valuable food for prayer and for thought...worth attentive reading from cover to cover." —Priests and People "This careful exposition of the theology of Paul is a brilliant piece of biblical scholarship." —D. Eduard Lohse "Paul has not infrequently had a bad press in the past century, and he has not escaped the current taste for deconstruction and the hermeneutic of suspicion. Once again we are hearing him dismissed as the Hellenistic subverter of the gospel of Jesus. Dunn's willingness to hear him on his own terms and to enter into dialogue with the whole sweep of his theology is an object lesson in how to deal with that sort of partiality; it can be recommended alike to waverers and to the committed." —Affirming Catholicism "This present volume is sure to remain a classic on the theology of Paul for a long time to come. It is from the hand of a scholar who over three decades has produced outstanding studies on the New Testament, and on the writings and though of Paul in particular… it is essential reading. It is a book for all libraries and individuals interested in Paul’s message." —The Heythrop Journal (C.F.D. Moule )

Honourable mention in 'The Interview' in Connexion, 1st June 2010.

"An exceptionally fine presentation of Pauline theology - detailed yet clear, lavishly documented yet readable; a major contribution to clarification and order in this confused and controversial field of study." —C. F. D. Moule "Dunn assembles his classic, distinctive handiwork in a format that is seamless in its flow, up to date in its scholarship, and (as ever) easily accessible in its presentation.... As a resource book for the study of what Paul had to say on any particular topic, this book is unequalled, as one of the most important of modern Pauline scholars assesses the texts in his own distinguished way." —Anvil "Surely this is James Dunn's best book so far. His magisterial, lucid exposition of Paul's thought will be welcomed warmly by scholars, teachers, and students alike. This is a work of outstanding scholarship: there is no comparable book in English." —Graham N. Stanton "...provides valuable food for prayer and for thought...worth attentive reading from cover to cover." —Priests and People "This careful exposition of the theology of Paul is a brilliant piece of biblical scholarship." —D. Eduard Lohse "Paul has not infrequently had a bad press in the past century, and he has not escaped the current taste for deconstruction and the hermeneutic of suspicion. Once again we are hearing him dismissed as the Hellenistic subverter of the gospel of Jesus. Dunn's willingness to hear him on his own terms and to enter into dialogue with the whole sweep of his theology is an object lesson in how to deal with that sort of partiality; it can be recommended alike to waverers and to the committed." —Affirming Catholicism "This present volume is sure to remain a classic on the theology of Paul for a long time to come. It is from the hand of a scholar who over three decades has produced outstanding studies on the New Testament, and on the writings and though of Paul in particular… it is essential reading. It is a book for all libraries and individuals interested in Paul’s message." —The Heythrop Journal (, )

Honourable mention in 'The Interview' in Connexion, 1st June 2010.  --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Widely regarded as one of the foremost scholars in the world today on the thought and writings of St. Paul, James D. G. Dunn is Lightfoot Professor Emeritus of Divinity at the University of Durham in England.

Professor Dunn is the author of numerous books about the New Testament, including several important commentaries on various epistles of Paul. Among these commentaries are Romans (Word Biblical Commentary, 2 vols.), Galatians (Black's New Testament Commentaries), and Colossians and Philemon (New International Greek Testament Commentary).

Product Details

• Paperback: 844 pages
• Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company (May 17, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802844235
• ISBN-13: 978-0802844231
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 1.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #73,517 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

62 of 65 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great guide to understanding Paul's theology, February 17, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Theology of Paul the Apostle (New Testament) (Hardcover)

This is a wonderful summary of Paul's theology written by a prominent New Testament scholar. I have been waiting for a recent book on Paul's theology that combines solid content with readability and clarity. I finally found it in this book! Dunn embraces the "new perspective" on Pauline studies on the gospel and the law. Nevertheless, a traditionalist would still find Dunn's views thought-provoking. I also like this book because it is so user-friendly and well-organized. Dunn organizes each chapter by topics (e.g. "God and humankind," "the gospel of Christ," " the process of salvation," etc.) and it is easy to follow. I highly recommend this book to layreaders, serious students, and scholars alike. It is a must for those who wish to read and understand more about Pauline theology!

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow, February 19, 2007

By 

Robert J. Jackson (Sydney, Australia) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Theology of Paul the Apostle (Paperback)

The depth of scholarship in this work is stunning - Dunn is a master of his field. But the true value of this work lies in its closeness to the text - it will have you diving for Paul's letters again and again. His systematic approach is well conceived and structured; he is careful never to over-conclude or run ahead with an argument: this work is clearly the product of careful laboring over the texts, with secondary sources used purely as aids, not drivers of discussion.

From the start his insights are profound, such as his observation that for Paul, 'sarx' (flesh) is very much an ethnic designation, and it is never directly blamed as a source for sin in Romans 7. The book leaves room for as much agreement or disagreement as you care to share - merely engaging with Dunn's arguments and analysis is the most rewarding exercise for truly encountering Paul that I have ever come across. I have never come across a book so erudite at reading between the lines of Paul, and investigating his unstated assumptions about God and humanity.

Take up this magisterial work - but keep your Bible, and preferably a notebook, close at hand: this is no mere rehearsal of the standard debates about Paul, but an earnest and scholarly attempt to make sense of a grand tapestry - an attempt which respects the fact that Paul wrote with a genius that has stupefied two millenia of great minds.

28 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent exposition of Paul's Theology, February 10, 2005

By 

M. Scott (USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Theology of Paul the Apostle (New Testament) (Hardcover)

I think this is a truly exceptional work, from which I have gathered many valuable insights. I feel that it has been a valuable addition to my collection and well worth the money. Dunn presents a scholarly, detailed (and theologically unbiased) study into the writings of Paul.

He is able to tie up a lot of "loose ends", and make many theological connections which might be elusive to the average bible-reader (like me), revealing what he sees as a stable foundation of Paul's theology. It is well organized and annotated, making for easy topical study.

Just note that this is not an orthodox Christian book, although Dunn always treats the Scriptures and the subject matter with a great deal of care and respect.