Paul's Faith and the Power of the Gospel: A Structural Introduction to the Pauline Letters

Daniel Patte here offers a fresh literary-critical introduction to the dominant literature of the New Testament the major letters of the apostle Paul: Romans 1 and 2 Corinthians Galatians Philippians 1 Thessalonians and Philemon. Patte invites the reader to explore these letters through several readings: an historical reading in which he reviews and critiques the results of traditional interpretations and structural readings in which he elucidates the main characteristics of Pauls faith and discerns a system of convictions that supports Pauls theology and gives it coherence. Through this novel literary approach Professor Patte leads the reader of these letters to a better understanding of the power of the Gospel the relation of the Gospel to Judaism and Pauls interpersonal view of faith. Here is an invitation to rediscover Pauls faith in all its richness! I recommend this work with enthusiasm. It is important for two reasons: First it is the most thorough application of structuralist method to the Pauline epistles as a whole. The application of structuralist categories turns out to be illuminating and fresh. On literary grounds alone this volume is likely to be significant. Second the theological insights that Patte presents are sometimes of staggering originality and certainly very challenging. They are particularly so at this time when the problem of the finality and uniqueness of Christ is being re-examined. In this respect Pattes work could be seminal. --W. D. Davies Professor Emeritus Duke University Visiting University Professor Texas Christian University Daniel Patte is Associate Professor of Religious Studies at Vanderbilt University.