themes in historical context

Paul's missionary activity is portrayed against the backdrop of historical, social and political developments in the Roman Empire of the first century.

NO OF PAGES: 510 SUB CAT I: Paul SUB CAT II: SUB CAT III: DESCRIPTION: The culmination of a lifetime of Pauline study, this volume by internationally respected New Testament scholar F. F. Bruce provides a framework for understanding Paul's teaching by situating his life in its historical context. According to Bruce, to describe Paul is to consider the attractive warmth of his personality, his intellectual stature, and his dynamic preaching. Paul's epistles are spontaneous, eloquent expressions of his mind and message; the stamp of his personality is unmistakable. For Bruce, who devoted more than half a century to the investigation of ancient literature, there is no other writer whose study is so richly rewarding. While the primary concern of this book is to portray the life of Paul, his theology cannot be separated from his work. Bruce offers an examination of the main themes of Pauline thought, set in their historical background and illustrated from his letters. Among the subjects discussed are the Mosaic Law, the flesh and the spirit, baptism, the Lord's Supper, and the life to come. For the academic reader there are full references and a judicious treatment of opposing viewpoints. Yet the book is written in a style readily accessible to general readers.NOTES: SUBTITLE:

Bruce brings together a vast amount of details into one volume. I learned something on every page. ( )

Written by one of the best known and most respected biblical scholars of all time, this illustrated volume explores all of the primary themes in Paul's thought as they developed in the historical context of his life and travels. While Bruce's primary concern is to portray the life of the apostle Paul, he also examines the main themes of Paul's thought, set in their historical background and illustrated from his letters. Originally published in 1977, this new paperback edition of Paul will be used with profit by all who have an interest in the primitive church—from general readers to the most advanced biblical scholar.