Over the past twenty-five years research on Paul's life and thought has yielded a wealth of new, sometimes controversial theories concerning such crucial questions as Paul's Jewishness and his relation to the Jesus tradition. This volume provides an excellent overview of recent trends in Pauline studies and introduces fresh work on the Thessalonian correspondence and Christianity. / Written by a distinguished scholar of the New Testament, the book ranges widely over themes related to Paul, his theology, and his role in the formation of the church. Of special interest are chapters that challenge the so-called "New Perspective" on Paul set forth by people like E. P. Sanders and James D. G. Dunn, that discuss the importance of the Dead Sea Scrolls in reframing our perspective on the Jewish backgrounds of Christianity, and that relate the Pauline understanding of justification to recent ecumenical agreements. / Presenting cutting-edge New Testament scholarship in accessible essays, this volume will benefit everyone interested in Paul, early Christianity, and the Jewish roots of both.
Colin R. Nicholl examines the situations giving rise to each Thessalonian Epistle to determine how the two relate historically. His book presents a compelling hypothesis, arguing that the two letters reflect two stages of a single crisis plaguing a recently formed Greek Church, (which spiralled from hope into despair because of confusion about the "end" time.) This monograph is the most up-to-date and comprehensive account of the Thessalonian Epistles currently available.
