An International Journal for Pastors and Students of Theological and Religious Studies
PDF Version
An International Journal for Pastors and Students of Theological and Religious Studies
PDF Version
The author is professor of Christian Theology at the University of Nottingham and is a noted expert in the field of hermeneutics. He has also written a well-received commentary on 1 Corinthians (NIGTC) as well as a shorter exegetical and pastoral commentary on 1 Corinthians.
This book serves as a guided tour of Paul’s life and thought consisting of seventeen chapters. Although the book does not divide the chapters further, these chapters could be usefully subdivided into two sections. The first section covers introductory matters (chs. 1–4). The first two chapters focus on obstacles that prevent readers from properly appreciating Paul: the relationship between Paul and Jesus (ch. 1) and the “immense cut” that separates Paul’s experience before and after conversion, which Thiselton rightly chalks up to Paul’s new creation theology, not psychology (ch. 2). The next two chapters concentrate on Paul’s varied roles as the apostle to the Gentiles: traveler and missionary-pastor (ch. 3) and traveler, pastor, and letter writer (ch. 4). Chapters 3 and 4 also succinctly summarize Paul’s letters.
The second section has thirteen chapters that cover different topics in Paul’s thought (chs. 5–17). These chapter divisions follow the traditional sequence of categories from systematic theology, except for the final chapter. Thiselton begins this section with an exposition of Paul’s thought on the Trinity: Jesus Christ (ch. 5), God the Father (ch. 6), and the Holy Spirit (ch. 7). Having covered theology proper, Thiselton now turns to the doctrines of humanity and soteriology as he examines humanity (ch. 8), sin (ch. 9), the work of Christ and being “in Christ” (ch. 10), and justification and the law (ch. 11). The author also has three chapters on ecclesiology: the church (ch. 12), the ministry of the word (ch. 13), and the ordinances of baptism and Lord’s Supper (ch. 14). The next two chapters look at ethics (ch. 15) and eschatology (ch. 16), while the final chapter addresses Paul and the phenomenon of postmodernity (ch. 17).
This book has many positive elements. First, it is a smooth read. It has an orderly feel because it naturally arranges topics so that chapters smoothly transition to each other. Second, the chapters have a comprehensive feel because (1) they overview the apostle’s life and thought, while many other books on Paul focus exclusively on one or the other (biography or theology) and (2) they touch on nearly the full range of topics from systematic theology. Third, the book has a balanced feel because Thiselton nicely condenses each chapter into about eight to ten pages. Fourth, the excellent and fascinating chapter on Paul and postmodernity is easily worth the price of the book in its own right.
There are however some negative aspects of the book. First, occasionally the condensed nature of the book cuts both ways. Sometimes the chapters are clear and concise enough to be forceful, while at other times they are condensed to the point of being unclear and unhelpful. For example, chapter 11 covers a topic of increasing complexity and controversy: Paul’s view of justification and the law. Thiselton admirably attempts to keep the discussion to nine pages (eight pages on justification and one on faith and the law), but one is left with the impression that justice has not been served and that the surface has not even begun to be scratched. Thiselton sides with N. T. Wright’s view of justification, but I am still unsure where Thiselton lands concerning Paul’s view of the law in this book. One page (pp. 99–100) is too short to be clear or helpful on this particular topic (the discussion on p. 132 concerning ethics and the law is much more helpful). Thiselton’s discussion of justification is also somewhat unbalanced because he cites Wright frequently, but he does not really interact with those who oppose Wright and the New Perspective. He briefly mentions the now dated work of Ernst Käsemann (1971) and Seyoon Kim (2002), but does not refer to other more recent scholarly responses.
Second, occasionally Thiselton refers to a scholar’s view without citing them. For example, Thiselton refers to the work of J. Louis Martyn, Alexandra Brown, and “others” that say Paul utilizes “performative” speech (pp. 18–19). However, the footnote cites Alexandra Brown, not J. Louis Martyn. In fact, Martyn’s work does not even appear in the bibliography.
In conclusion, I have to confess that the book did not meet my initial heightened sense of expectation based on the standard of excellence established by the author’s prior works. The book did not rise to any lofty heights of eloquence or erudition (perhaps the final chapter is an exception), but it is a valuable introductory guide on Paul’s life and thought and it has much to commend it.