The Sacred Writings of Paul: Annotated & Explained: Selections Annotated & Expla

Publisher Description

The Apostle Paul, who wrote many of the books in the New Testament, was a fearless and revolutionary religious innovator. In a society where slaveholding was commonplace and women were little more than servants, he preached a groundbreaking equality founded on a new spiritual identity. In an imperial political system that demanded unquestioning allegiance, Paul told his readers they were citizens of heaven. Yet Paul diverged from many of Jesus' own teachings about the world and God's kingdom, and his writings have been used to justify slavery, defend violence toward women and vilify followers of other religious paths. With fresh translations from the original Greek and insightful yet unobtrusive commentary, Ron Miller guides you through the complexities of Paul's writings. He explores Paul's limitations and sometimes harmful legacy, but, also, highlights Paul's deep connection with God's Spirit. This connection led to Paul's penetrating insights on how to live a life filled with spiritual vigour, experience profound joy even in the face of trouble, and understand the fundamental power of love to overcome any obstacle.
Whether you are familiar with Paul's writings or have no previous knowledge of them, this SkyLight Illuminations volume will open a door to let you experience the power of Paul's words for yourself.

Author Biography

Ron Miller is an author and illustrator who specializes in space science. His art and articles have appeared in National Geographic, Scientific American, Smithsonian, and Reader's Digest.

Table of Contents

Introduction
Acknowledgments
A Note on the Translation

1. Paul on Paul
2. Sin and Grace
3. Old and New Creation
4. The Call to Community
5. The Lord's Supper
6. Jews and Christians
7. Teachings on Sexuality
8. Love
9. The End Times
10. God's Plan for the Jews

Suggestions for Further Reading
Index of Bible Passages Annotated

Review

"Masterful.... Brings Paul to life for the twenty-first century reader who wishes ... to relate [Paul's] letters to her or his own spiritual quest. [A beneficial] guide to one of the most influential religious writers of all time."
-Adela Yarbro Collins, PhD,Buckingham Professor of New Testament Criticism and Interpretation, Yale University Divinity School

"A perceptive account of one of [Christianity's] greatest figures ... illuminates Paul's deep spirituality."
-Andrew Phillip Smith, author, The Lost Sayings of Jesus: Teachings from Ancient Christian, Jewish, Gnostic and Islamic Sources-Annotated and Explained

"Thought-provoking.... A welcome addition to the library of any lay theologian.... A way to celebrate the Christian life without having to belittle the lives and faith traditions of other people in the process."
-Presbyterians Today

"People who have difficulty with Paul's [teachings] will appreciate this book."
-Beatrice Bruteau, PhD, author, The Holy Thursday Revolution

"Scholarly and spiritual.... Paul's human weakness [is critiqued] ... yet Paul shines through as provocative, visionary, and practical. Challenges the reader to plumb the deepest meanings of [the writings of] this often misunderstood leader in the early Jewish-Christian church."
-David L.Coppola, PhD, Center for Christian-Jewish Understanding, Sacred Heart University

"Provocative ... opens fresh perspectives for understanding Paul's message. Challenges readers to read key passages in Paul and to question many [of their own] assumptions. A valuable contribution to Pauline scholarship."
-Rev. Richard Hauser, SJ, professor of theology and director of Christian Spirituality Program,Creighton University

Long Description

The apostle Paul, who wrote many of the books in the New Testament, was a fearless and revolutionary religious innovator. In a society where slaveholding was commonplace and women were little more than servants, he preached a groundbreaking equality founded on a new spiritual identity. In an imperial political system that demanded unquestioning allegiance, Paul told his readers they were citizens of heaven. Yet Paul's writings have also given rise to destructive tendencies in the name of religion: narrow, exclusivist thinking; a simplistic ?right or wrong? vision of the world; and a shallow, ?we're-number-one? triumphalism'points of view where Paul may have diverged from Jesus's own teachings about the world and God's kingdom.

Review Quote

"Masterful.... Brings Paul to life for the twenty-first century reader who wishes ... to relate [Paul's] letters to her or his own spiritual quest. [A beneficial] guide to one of the most influential religious writers of all time." --Adela Yarbro Collins, PhD,Buckingham Professor of New Testament Criticism and Interpretation, Yale University Divinity School "A perceptive account of one of [Christianity's] greatest figures ... illuminates Paul's deep spirituality." --Andrew Phillip Smith, author, The Lost Sayings of Jesus: Teachings from Ancient Christian, Jewish, Gnostic and Islamic Sources--Annotated and Explained "Thought-provoking.... A welcome addition to the library of any lay theologian.... A way to celebrate the Christian life without having to belittle the lives and faith traditions of other people in the process." --Presbyterians Today "People who have difficulty with Paul's [teachings] will appreciate this book." --Beatrice Bruteau, PhD, author, The Holy Thursday Revolution "Scholarly and spiritual.... Paul's human weakness [is critiqued] ... yet Paul shines through as provocative, visionary, and practical. Challenges the reader to plumb the deepest meanings of [the writings of] this often misunderstood leader in the early Jewish-Christian church." --David L.Coppola, PhD, Center for Christian-Jewish Understanding, Sacred Heart University "Provocative ... opens fresh perspectives for understanding Paul's message. Challenges readers to read key passages in Paul and to question many [of their own] assumptions. A valuable contribution to Pauline scholarship." --Rev. Richard Hauser, SJ, professor of theology and director of Christian Spirituality Program,Creighton University

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