Paul Transformed: Reception of the Person and Letters of Paul in Antiquity

The letters of the apostle Paul were the primary written source for Christian believers and those seeking to formulate Christian thought and practice in the first decades after Jesus' death. However, in the years following Paul's death, the early church witnessed a proliferation of contested and opposing interpretations of his writings. Adela Yarbro Collins explores the reception history of major theological, ethical, and social topics in the letters of Paul from the days of his apostleship through the first centuries of Christianity, highlighting the ways these interpretations provided frameworks for church governance, practice, and tradition.

Format: Hardback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 22 November 2022
Publisher: Yale University Press

In the early years following the death of Jesus, the letters of the apostle Paul held a paramount position as the primary source of guidance for Christian believers and those seeking to establish Christian principles and practices. However, as time passed, the early church experienced a surge of diverse and often conflicting interpretations of Paul's writings, as his teachings were transmitted, deliberated upon, and systematized. This captivating exploration by Adela Yarbro Collins delves into the intricate reception history of significant theological, ethical, and social themes in the letters of Paul, spanning from the era of his apostleship to the early centuries of Christianity. Through her meticulous analysis, Collins unravels the evolution of Paul's cosmic eschatology, his profound insights into the resurrected body, his intricate views on marriage and family ethics, the role of women in the early church, and his profound theology of suffering. By closely examining the ways in which these evolving interpretations shaped the governance, practices, and traditions of the early Christian community, Collins sheds light on the complex ways in which Paul's ideas were received, debated, and ultimately transformed by his earliest audiences. This insightful study not only provides valuable insights into the historical development of Christian thought but also highlights the enduring relevance of Paul's letters in shaping the theological, ethical, and social dimensions of contemporary Christian belief and practice.

Weight: 446g
Dimension: 243 x 164 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780300194425