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Paul

The Pagans' Apostle
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Paul presents a groundbreaking new portrait of the apostle Paul by renowned historian Paula Fredriksen. This work situates Paul within the dynamic social and religious world of late antiquity, exploring his life amidst the fervent apocalyptic hopes of Judaism and the bustling pagan cities with their divine and cosmic forces. Fredriksen reveals how Paul’s mission and message were shaped by these contrasting worlds of Jews and pagans, human and divine, offering fresh insights into one of history’s most influential figures.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book is ideal for readers interested in religious history, biblical studies, and theology, especially those seeking a deeper understanding of the historical and cultural contexts of early Christianity. It appeals to scholars, students, and informed lay readers wanting an original perspective on the apostle Paul.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Paul is a groundbreaking new portrait of the apostle Paul, crafted by one of today’s leading historians of antiquity. Often seen as the author of timeless Christian theology, Paul himself heatedly maintained that he lived and worked in history’s closing hours.

His letters propel his readers into two ancient worlds, one Jewish and one pagan. The first was incandescent with apocalyptic hopes, expecting God through his messiah to fulfil his ancient promises of redemption to Israel. The second teemed with ancient actors, not only human but also divine: angry superhuman forces, jealous demons, and hostile cosmic gods. Both worlds are Paul’s, and his convictions about the first shaped his actions in the second.

Only by situating Paul within this charged social context of gods and humans, pagans and Jews, cities, synagogues, and competing Christ-following assemblies, can we begin to understand his mission and message. This original and provocative book offers a dramatically new perspective on one of history’s seminal figures.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Praised for its elegant and bold scholarship, Paul won the 2018 Prose Award in Theology and Religious Studies. Critics highlight Fredriksen’s clarity and expressive style, noting the book reshapes the field of Pauline studies. Paul Foster of The Expository Times calls it a 'beautifully written study' with memorable phrasing, while J. Albert Harrill describes it as 'brilliant, elegant, and important,' the finest history of Paul in generations.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780300240153

Publisher: Yale University Press

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 27 November 2018

Country: United States

Imprint: Yale University Press

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 156.0mm

Height: 235.0mm

Weight: 413g

Pages: 336

About the Author

Paula Fredriksen, Aurelio Professor of Scripture emerita at Boston University, is a member of the Humanities Faculty of the Hebrew University, Jerusalem.

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