How to Read Paul: A Brief Introduction to His Theology Writings and World

How to Read Paul provides an incisive yet brief examination of Paul as a writer and theologian steeped in the cultural intellectual and religious crossroads of the ancient world. Through an analysis of Pauls undisputed letters Yung Suk Kim explores and explains Pauls key theological concepts and situates them in their proper cultural context. By placing Paul in the Jewish Hellenistic and Roman worlds that informed his thinking this book reexamines familiar themes in his letters such as gospel righteousness and faith. In so doing How to Read Paul provides teachers students and interested lay readers with a clear user-friendly portrait of the apostle informed by a critical yet appreciative integration of the new perspective on Paul emphasizing the faithfulness of Christ as well as believers participation in Christ. The first few chapters give an overview of Paul and his letters while the remaining chapters deal with key theological concepts and their cultural contexts. Discussion questions at the end of each chapter help students focus their reading and reflection on central elements features and themes. How to Read Paul is an ideal textbook for both undergraduate and seminary classrooms and a helpful guide for professors clergy and lay readers.