My professor let me borrow his copy of Anthony C. Thiselton‘s new The Living Paul: An Introduction to the Apostle’s Life and Thought. This appears to be an excellent introduction to Pauline theology. I think it would be especially useful in teaching a class on the subject. This brings me to an important question: In your opinion what is the best introduction to Pauline theology? If you were going to teach a one semester long class on Paul which book would you use?
Anthony C. Thiselton, Book Previews, Books (General), Pauline Studies
the archives near Emmaus 
I haven’t read a lot on the subject but I thoroughly enjoyed Michael Gorman’s Reading Paul.
I’ve seen a couple of his recent books on Paul (e.g. ‘Inhabiting the Cruciform God’ and ‘Cruciformity’) receiving a lot of positive press. I need to read him.
The only ones I’ve spent time with are Dunn’s The Theology of Paul the Apostle and Schreiner’s Paul, Apostle of God’s Glory in Christ. Both are excellent, but I am partial toward Schreiner.
@Jason,
Both Dunn and Schreiner wrote very valuable works. I think Dunn stretches my thinking more but I like Schreiner’s work as well. If I were to teach a class I think the only problem with both is they are a bit too large.
Yes, this has been on my radar for sometime now.
Brian: Dunn certainly does challenge his readers and his work is quite a mammoth.
Brian: Inhabiting the Cruciform God is excellent! I even like the parts I strongly disagree with! I loaned my friend my copy of Reading Paul and when he was done with it he immediately picked up Cruciformity/ I haven’t read it though so I don’t know how good it is.
@Nick
Now I just need to find a good deal on one of those two books!
Brian
Pauline Theology? Hmmm?
Pauline sounds like a girls name. What’s up wit dat? 😉
Couldn’t it read – Paul’s Theology?
Just wondering if any one knows why
Paul nevers mentions “Disciples” in any of his letters?
Or, “making Disciples of Christ?” Ever?
Didn’t Paul know that Jesus told “His Disciples” to go and make “Disciples?”
Seems the word “Disciple” is only in the gospels and the book of Acts. Hmmm?
What’s up wit dat?
@A. Amos Love,
Yes, it could read “Paul’s Theology” but the common adjectival word is “Pauline”.
I assume Paul did not use the term “disciples” because it did not make as much sense in the Greco-Roman world as it did in Judaism. Maybe there are others who can weigh in on this. He does tell his audience “follow me as I follow Christ” which is essentially the same thing. Furthermore, he actually did go and make disciples more than any follower of Christ we know. He was not only the greatest Christian theologian but also the greatest Christian missionary.
Brian
You write in reference to Disciple…
“He does tell his audience “follow me as I follow Christ” which is essentially the same thing.”
Disciple in the Strong’s is #3101 mathetes,
from #3129. A learner, pupil.
IMO – Many claim to be “Disciples of Christ” or “followers” of Christ. Yes?
How many “learn” from Jesus directly? 😉
Many can follow Jesus at at a distance, and even walk on the same path,
but are they “learning” from directly from Jesus?
Or are they just ”learning about him” from a another human?
Or “learning” from others on the same path?
Jesus always spoke to the multitudes in parables.
All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables;
and without a parable spake he not unto them.
Matthew 13:34
and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.
Mark 4:33
These multitudes were all in the same location following?
But only “the disciples, the pupils, learned” what he meant.
John 6:45
It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God.
Deuteronomy 4:36
Out of heaven he made thee to hear his voice,
that he might instruct thee:
Psalms 32:8
I will *instruct thee and *teach thee
in the way which thou shalt go: I will *guide thee with mine eye.
John 14:26
But the Comforter, [which is] the Holy Ghost,
whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things…
John 16:13
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth…
1 John 2:20 Ye have an *unction from the Holy One, and ye *know all things.
*unction = anointing. *know = perceive, discern, discover.
1 John 2:26
These [things] have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.
27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you,
“and ye need not that any man teach you:”
but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things…
In my experience – Learning from Jesus is much more then following Jesus.
Be blessed and be a blessing.
@A. Amos,
I really can’t stand proof-texting so forgive me for ignoring each reference. To consider the context and message of each v. you quoted would take me the rest of my day. Likewise, Strong’s Concordance means nothing to be. Language is not unilateral. What would have made sense to an audience of one of the gospels may not have made as much sense to someone in Corinth.
Brian
Sorry for the “proof-texting.”
Point was – IMO – Following is not the same as learning from.
“Disciples of Christ” can learn directly from Jesus.
Jesus said, “they that are of the truth hear my voice.
@A. Amos,
I don’t think that Paul would disagree with you that you can learn from Jesus via the Holy Spirit. Whereas he may not use the same language as Jesus in John he does speak of the Spirit on a continual basis as our means of connecting with God.