... preparing a ton of lectures.
As much as I enjoy lectures and learning in preparation I've been so busy I haven't made time for almost anything else the last couple of weeks. So it's time to put my feet up and drink a glass of sherry (sorry, read 'grape juice' if you're a Southern Baptist - but Ephesians 5:18 only says not to 'get drunk with wine' and doesn't say anything about not getting drunk with sherry!)
I have learnt something about books introducing Paul of late. There are too many good ones out making it difficult to recommend only one to students. There is Tom Wright's What Saint Paul Really Said; Paul: Fresh Perspectives, Michael Gorman's Reading Paul, Mike Bird's A Bird's-Eye View of Paul and a recently discovered gem by David Horrell, An Introduction to the Study of Paul which was enormously useful ... and others could be mentioned. Which to recommend to students? A difficult choice. Perhaps start with Gorman, move into Bird then Wright, then Horrell, before dipping into Dunn (The Theology of the Apostle Paul)? But that is way too much introduction level material so I need to choose one. It is going to be tricky.
8 comments:
Chris,
I have to confess that Gorman and Bird are probably the best two options for an introduction (although I am biased to the max). I also found useful Leander Keck, "Paul and His Letters".
I like your logic! I bet it is a warning at the impending hangover of a wine based drunk (especially a red wine based drunk). Actually it must be an endorsement for Christians to get sloshed in holier ways - like with rye or with buttershots! (this wonderful butterscotch drink I recently discovered). Oh thanks be to God. :-)
Seriously dude, the buttershots, throw it in the freezer. Soooo good. Especially when trying to read Habermas!
If I were in that situation, I think I'd make a class assignment where students were assigned to various groups (this group takes NT Wright, that group takes another ... etc.) and then they have a class assignment at the end of the term to explain how it helped them, with brief presentations so the groups can interact. :)
Take care & God bless
Anne / WF
If you're feeling brave, drop Udo Schnelle's fairly recent "Apostle Paul: His Life and Teaching" (2005) into the laps of your students.
Just out of curiosity, have you read Childs' book on Paul's letters yet? I haven't got round to it yet.
Gorman's APOSTLE OF THE CRUCIFIED LORD (Eerdmans) is unmatched. It is great socially, historically, rhetorically, and, of course, theologically.
Yea, Mike, I do love both books you mention, too!
Frank, I'll have a go of those Buttershots!
Anna, thanks for that suggestion!
Carl, Udo Schnelle's book is magnificent. And a good place to start for those learning German. I think the only English translation is of an older edition, though.
Hi Phil,
Only dipped in now and then so I'm like you, yet to dive in.
Nijay, I have to admit that I don't have Gorman's book. I have his smaller one and I am waiting eagerly for his forthcoming.
Chris,
I would have said that the best introduction to Paul is by far and away EP Sanders' Paul: A Very Short Introduction.
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