The Lost Message of Paul

We have misunderstood paul, badly. we have read his words through our own set of assumptions. we need to begin with paul’s world view, to see things the way he saw them. · what if ‘original sin’ was never part of paul’s thinking? · what if the idea that we are saved by faith in christ, as luther argued, was based on a mistranslation of paul’s words and a misunderstanding of paul’s thinking? ‘over the centuries,’ writes steve chalke, ‘the church has repeatedly failed to communicate, or even understand, the core of paul’s message. although paul has often been presented as the champion of exclusion, he was the very opposite. he was the great includer.’ steve chalke mbe is a baptist minister, founder and leader of the oasis charitable trust, and author of more than 50 books. review the lost message of paul is not only well-written and fascinating; it is also profoundly bold and revolutionary. highly recommended! -brian d. mclaren, author of the great spiritual migrationpulsing and brimming and overflowing with life. the research, the stories, the synthesis of then and now this book is going to set so many people free... -rob bell, author of love winsa bold and compelling book that speaks from beginning to end of the profound good news of god’s kingdom. there is joy, liberation, and challenge here in equal measure. i thoroughly recommend it. ―fr. richard rohr, author of the universal christsteve chalke in his inimitable style opens up dense theological debate in an accessible and readable manner ... fascinating. ―dr pauline muir, lecturer at goldsmiths university and member of oasis church waterlooprepare to have your mind expanded and your spirit stretched. -lucy winkett, rector of st james's church, piccadilly, londonthis is an exciting and timely book. accessible and authoritative. a great lay introduction to historical criticism, contextual analysis and the writing of st paul. -dr robert beckford, professor of theology and culture in the african diaspora, theology and religious studies, canterbury christ church university, canterburyits impact could be of historic importance, if enough of us have the courage to read it and put its message into practice. -brian mclarenthis fascinating book will challenge you to reconsider familiar theological ‘truths’ and may even revolutionize your christian journey. -dr pauline muir, lecturer in arts management, goldsmiths, university of londonjust as when you read st paul himself, you will not finish this book unchanged. -lucy winkett, rector of st james’s church, piccadilly, londonbrilliant and well researched ... in every case he states what he has to say with clarity, documentation and persuasiveness. ―tony campolo, phd, eastern universitychalke's voice is an important one. he brings with him decades of hard experience . . . [that makes] him worth listening to. ―premier christianitythis is a book that every preacher should read. why? once you have had the opportunity to engage with st paul's message as articulated here, it is "literally world-changing". -john inge ―church times steve chalke mbe is a british baptist minister, the founder of the oasis charitable trust now one of the uk's largest charities a former united nations' special adviser on human trafficking and a sometimes outspoken christian leader, popular public speaker and social activist. steve is also the author of a large number of books and articles as well as a former presenter of, and now regular contributor and commentator on, television and radio.