A Jewish Paul - The Messiah`s Herald to the Gentiles

Matthew Thiessen's book "A Jewish Paul" explores the relationship between the apostle Paul and Judaism, arguing that Paul was not opposed to but rather living within first-century Judaism. He believed that the Messiah would deliver the nations from sin and death and saw himself as an envoy to the nations, introducing them to the Messiah and his Spirit. This book will benefit scholars, students, pastors, and lay readers interested in Pauline studies.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 208 pages
Publication date: 17 October 2023
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group

The apostle Paul's relationship with Judaism has been a subject of much debate and discussion among New Testament scholars and Bible readers alike. While some argue that Paul rejected Judaism and the Jewish law, others suggest that he viewed them in a more nuanced and positive light. In his book "A Jewish Paul," Matthew Thiessen offers a valuable contribution to this ongoing discussion.

Thiessen argues that Paul was a Jew who was deeply committed to his Jewish heritage and the Jewish law. He believes that Paul did not reject Judaism or the Jewish law but rather saw himself as living in the last days, when Israel's Messiah would deliver the nations from sin and death. Paul saw himself as an envoy to the nations, carrying the gospel of Jesus Christ to both ethnic Jews and gentiles.

One of the key themes in Thiessen's book is the idea that Paul's understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ was rooted in his understanding of Judaism. He argues that Paul's understanding of the Messiah was shaped by his understanding of the Jewish prophets and the Jewish law. Paul believed that the Messiah would come to fulfill the prophecies of the Old Testament and that the Jewish law was a means of preparing the people for the coming of the Messiah.

Thiessen also explores Paul's view of the Jewish law and its role in the lives of Christians. He argues that Paul did not see the law as a burden but rather as a means of grace and salvation. Paul believed that the law was a gift from God and that it was a means of showing God's love and mercy to the people. However, Paul also recognized that the law could be a source of pride and self-righteousness, which could lead to sin and death.

In conclusion, Matthew Thiessen's book "A Jewish Paul" offers a valuable contribution to the ongoing discussion of the apostle Paul's relationship with Judaism. Thiessen argues that Paul was a Jew who was deeply committed to his Jewish heritage and the Jewish law. He believes that Paul did not reject Judaism or the Jewish law but rather saw himself as living in the last days, when Israel's Messiah would deliver the nations from sin and death. Thiessen's book will benefit professors, students, and scholars of the New Testament as well as pastors and lay readers who are interested in understanding the apostle Paul's perspective on Judaism and the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Weight: 264g
Dimension: 139 x 216 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781540965714