A Jewish Paul - by Matthew Thiessen

About the Book

A highly respected New Testament scholar offers an accessible introduction to Paul that situates him clearly within first-century Judaism.

Book Synopsis

What was the apostle Paul's relationship to Judaism? How did he view the Jewish law? How did he understand the gospel of Jesus's messiahship relative to both ethnic Jews and gentiles? These remain perennial questions both to New Testament scholars and to all serious Bible readers.

Respected New Testament scholar Matthew Thiessen offers an important contribution to this discussion. A Jewish Paul is an accessible introduction that situates Paul clearly within first-century Judaism, not opposed to it. Thiessen argues for a more historically plausible reading of Paul. Paul did not reject Judaism or the Jewish law but believed he was 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, desiring to introduce them to the Messiah and his life-giving, life-transforming Spirit.

This new contribution to Pauline studies will benefit professors, students, and scholars of the New Testament as well as pastors and lay readers.

From the Back Cover

This accessible introduction to Paul situates him clearly within first-century Judaism.

"Both Christians and Jews have much to gain from reading A Jewish Paul. Highly recommended!"
--Jon D. Levenson, Harvard University

"A compelling argument, sure to hold the attention of seasoned scholars while providing uninitiated readers a clear introduction to this important debate."
--Pamela Eisenbaum, Iliff School of Theology

"Thiessen provides the reader with a portrait of Paul that takes his Jewishness with the seriousness it deserves. The debate on many issues he engages will not be brought to closure, but he charts directions that all scholars will need to consider going forward."
--Gary A. Anderson, University of Notre Dame

"It is so difficult to give a historically compelling account of the apostle Paul that is, at the same time, helpful to readers of Christian Scripture and, on top of all that, readable and accessible. I know because I have tried. Now, though, I will be very happy simply to refer people to this wonderful book."
--Matthew V. Novenson, University of Edinburgh

"An excellent introduction to Paul. I cannot recommend A Jewish Paul enough for serious and important conversations between Jews and Christians."
--Ronald Charles, University of Toronto

"Genuinely fresh, thoroughly stimulating, and highly accessible. All who consider themselves students of Paul--whether the beginner or the scholar--will find themselves engrossed in this book's pages."
--Michael Patrick Barber, Augustine Institute Graduate School of Theology

"Thiessen offers students and scholars alike an invaluable resource: an accessible-yet-innovative introduction to a Jewish Paul, the herald of Israel's Messiah to the non-Jewish nations."
--Rafael Rodríguez, Johnson University

"This book is as readable as it is masterful. Its message could not possibly be more important if Christians and New Testament scholars alike are to finally escape the gross misreadings of Paul that continuously put Jewish lives in danger of violence."
--Sara Parks, St. Francis Xavier University

About the Author

Matthew Thiessen (PhD, Duke University) is associate professor of religious studies at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario. He is the author of numerous books, including Paul and the Gentile Problem, Jesus and the Forces of Death, and Contesting Conversion: Genealogy, Circumcision, and Identity in Ancient Judaism and Christianity (awarded the Manfred Lautenschlaeger Award for Theological Promise).