The Cambridge Companion to St Paul (Cambridge Companions to Religion)

The apostle Paul has been justifiably described as the first and greatest Christian theologian. His letters were among the earliest documents to be included in the New Testament and, as such, they influenced Christian thinking from its very beginning. This Companion provides an important assessment of the apostle as well as a new appreciation of his continuing contemporary significance. With eighteen chapters written by a team of well-known international Pauline specialists, the collection will have wide appeal and be an invaluable point of departure for subsequent studies. The apostle Paul has been justifiably described as the first and greatest Christian theologian. His letters were among the earliest documents to be included in the New Testament and, as such, they shaped Christian thinking from the beginning. As a missionary, theologian, and pastor Paul wrestles with theological and ethical questions of his day in a way paradigmatic for Christian theology, not least for Christianity's own identity and continuing relationship with Judaism. The Cambridge Companion to St. Paul provides an important assessment of this apostle and a fresh appreciation of his continuing significance today. With eighteen chapters written by a team of leading international specialists on Paul, the Companion provides a sympathetic and critical overview of the apostle, covering his life and work, his letters and his theology. The volume will provide an invaluable starting point and helpful resource for subsequent studies. Glossary 13 Abbreviations 16 Chronology 20 Introduction 22 1 Paul’s life 38 2 Paul as missionary and pastor 53 3 1 and 2 Thessalonians 68 4 Galatians 81 5 1 and 2 Corinthians 91 6 Romans 108 7 Philippians 122 8 Colossians and Philemon 133 9 Ephesians 150 10 The Pastoral Epistles 158 11 Paul’s Jewish presuppositions 174 12 Paul’s gospel 188 13 Paul’s christology 200 14 Paul’s ecclesiology 214 15 Paul’s ethics 227 16 Paul in the second century 240 17 Paul’s enduring legacy 255 18 Contemporary perspectives on Paul 269 Select bibliography 283 Index of references 290 This Companion provides an accessible introduction to Martin Luther for students of theology and history and everyone interested in the life, work and thought of the first great Protestant reformer. Historians and theologians present a complete picture of Luther's major writing themes and the ways in which his ideas spread and continue to be important. The Companion is oriented to those with little or no background in Luther studies, as well as teachers and specialists.