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Luke Timothy Johnson. Constructing Paul. Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2020.

Abstract

"In this methodological tour de force, Luke Timothy Johnson offers an articulate, clear, and thought-provoking portrait of the life and thinking of the apostle Paul. Informed by the best historical-critical scholarship, Johnson helps contemporary readers responsibly study the thirteen canonical letters of Paul and the Acts of the Apostles. Constructing Paul provides a framework for engaging with Paul's letters and demonstrates that creative work can be done across the canonical collection without sacrificing literary or historical integrity. By extrapolating Paul's theology from the fragments offered by ancient sources, Johnson shows the possibilities for further and better inquiry into the life and thought of Paul. In addition, Johnson addresses pertinent questions about Paul's canonical letters, ultimately using them to make a case for why Paul's voice ought to be heard today as liberating rather than oppressive."--Publisher description.

Contents

Introduction: Constructing the "historical Paul" ; Constructing the canonical Paul ; The plan of this work -- Part 1, Preliminary scaffolding: Assessing the sources -- Paul's life and apostolic ministry -- The Pauline correspondence -- Paul's place in early Christianity -- Part 2, The materials: What kind of Jew is Paul? -- Paul and Scripture -- Paul and Greco-Roman culture -- Part 3, The elements: The claims of experience -- Convictions, myths, symbols, and metaphors -- Paul's voice - Philemon -- Paul, oppressor or liberator?