Paul

A groundbreaking new portrait of the apostle Paul, from one of today’s leading historians of antiquity

Often seen as the author of timeless Christian theology, Paul himself heatedly maintained that he lived and worked in history’s closing hours. His letters propel his readers into two ancient worlds, one Jewish, one pagan. The first was incandescent with apocalyptic hopes, expecting God through his messiah to fulfill his ancient promises of redemption to Israel. The second teemed with ancient actors, not only human but also divine: angry superhuman forces, jealous demons, and hostile cosmic gods. Both worlds are Paul’s, and his convictions about the first shaped his actions in the second.
 
Only by situating Paul within this charged social context of gods and humans, pagans and Jews, cities, synagogues, and competing Christ-following assemblies can we begin to understand his mission and message. This original and provocative book offers a dramatically new perspective on one of history’s seminal figures.

Un nou portret revoltator al apostolului Pavel, de la unul dintre cei mai importanti istorici ai antichitatii de astazi, adesea vazut ca autor al teologiei crestine atemporale, Pavel insusi a sustinut cu caldura ca a trait si a lucrat in orele de inchidere ale istoriei. Scrisorile sale ii propulseaza pe cititorii sai in doua lumi antice, una evreiasca, una pagana.