Dunn was one of the most important and insightful Paul scholars of the late 20th century, and as most Paul scholars of that era wrote a "big book on Paul," this is Dunn's contribution to that trend. Making use of 40 years of research, this book is of course loaded with important insights, and deals well with nearly every important discussion on Pauline research over the past century or so.
In my view, the main benefit of the book is the helpful way it frames Paul's approaches to theology. Most po Dunn was one of the most important and insightful Paul scholars of the late 20th century, and as most Paul scholars of that era wrote a "big book on Paul," this is Dunn's contribution to that trend. Most popular level preaching and interpretation of Paul is deeply flawed because it deals only with what Paul likely meant in the most universal application possible, but not all of Paul's writing should be read that way.
Dunn rightly recognizes three important layers to consider when interpreting any passage in Paul's writing: First, the level of Paul's continuity with his Jewish heritage.
Second, the places of innovation where Paul broke with his Jewish heritage. Third, the ways that Paul's ideas and arguments were influenced by the audiences of his individual letters. With these various layers in mind, Dunn rightly shows throughout this book that Paul was constantly in dialogue with his Jewish past, his conversion experience, his opponents, and his churches, and these dialogues shaped his letters in some surprising ways. Such layers and dialogues are not often enough taken into account, especially by popular preaching and teaching, and this has caused a lot of confusion about what Paul really meant.
The book is not without its problems, though these problems most often extend from limitations of "theologies" rather than from Dunn's treatment of the subject. Most prominent is that fact that theologies rarely attend closely enough to actual exegesis of Scripture passages, and this book is as guilty as most. Far too often I read one of Dunn's important conclusions and thought to myself, "But, how did you arrive there?
It's a limitation I understand, but it still limits the book's value as a conversation partner. On the whole, this is a great book, which I will revisit many times over the years. Dunn's conclusions are not always satisfying, but they are reasonable and well articulated. Most helpful of all is the way that Dunn, in the introduction to the book, lays out the extreme problems faced when writing a "theology," and so he approaches the task fully self aware that the entire enterprise is inherently flawed in certain regards.
This is an indispensable book for any student of Paul. Apr 19, Luke Wagner rated it really liked it Shelves: biblical-studies , theology. Over pages in length, it will be a book that I return to time and time again.
While I read it over the course of a couple of months, because of a Master's course, I would highly recommend others to take their time with this book. It is one that can be read in a few weeks or months, but one that should ultimately be chewed on slowly, as it attempts to be as comprehensive of an overview of Paul's theology as possible. Dunn's writing style is incredibly accessible, even conversational, and it makes his work a joy to read, no matter the daunting length of the book.
This book especially can provide a helpful introduction into some of the key insights of the "New Perspective on Paul" tradition, particularly in regard to Paul's Jewish identity and his complex relationship to the law.
Dunn, as one of the forefathers of the "New Perspective" helps readers step into some new intriguing insights about Paul and his theology. Sadly, Dunn only covers the seven Pauline letters that are considered authentically Pauline, only briefly touching on Colossians, while barely mentioning Ephesians and the Pastorals. One wonders what this book might have been, or what different findings may have surfaced, if Dunn had taken the "deutero-Paulines" into consideration.
Feb 14, Beth rated it really liked it Shelves: religion. This tomb written for theologians was frankly most of the time over my head. My Mother gave it to me as a left over form Seminary. She never completed it but I did. Although, most of it was a slog for me, there were still gems that I collected and use in my teachings of creation care and climate justice. This is not for the faint of heart but when I told my pastor I was reading it, he was impressed. Please I didn't have to take a quiz or anything but if theolog pages on the Theology of Paul.
Please I didn't have to take a quiz or anything but if theology is your jam then this is a good thing to add to your list. Well written and challenging. Aug 16, Dennis Podryadchikov rated it really liked it. Initial review: After teaching for several years at the University of Durhaim, Dr. Dunn presents a written and elaborated copy of his notes on the theology of Paul. His approach is to look at Paul's theological understanding as developing based on experiences through which Paul goes.
The central experience is that of Christophany. The preceding one is that of early formation, and the following one emerges as Paul writes his letters.
Dunn takes the epistle to Romans as the foundation for his vi Initial review: After teaching for several years at the University of Durhaim, Dr. Dunn takes the epistle to Romans as the foundation for his view of Paul's theology. This take both enhances and limits Dunn's work. As much as the Roman epistle filled with theological themes it is not the only work left for our use.
Any foundation should come from combined theology of all works rather than one work despite its significance. Another omission is the book of Acts. Not only does it hold large sections describing Paul's actions, which pertain to practical theology, but it also contains Pauline sermons, which are verbal expressions of his theology. Overall, the work provides a fresh look at Paul's thinking about God.
After all, can we allow Paul to be a mere human who has developments in his theology? Moreover, the point that those developments were based on certain experiences opens a whole new horizon of relationship with God. Many theologians of the past were practicing mystics. One can only wish that such a theologian as Dunn is would include all available works related to Paul. Besides theologians, who will definitely be glad to enjoy the freshness of Dunn's work, church leaders and missionaries will find many thoughtful ideas in this book.
Feb 26, Scriptor Ignotus rated it really liked it Shelves: christianity. This is an exhaustive and stimulating exhibition of Pauline theology, sufficiently formulaic and accessibly organized to be used as a reference text. Dunn's approach assumes nothing, and reconstructs Paul's intellectual universe from the ground up, as it were.
He belabors axiomatic points of Paul's thought which most other exegetes tend to overlook by assumption; Paul's beliefs about God, monotheism, the Jews, Israel, the Mosaic Law, and so on.
Dunn employs very sharp textual analysis, and is ab This is an exhaustive and stimulating exhibition of Pauline theology, sufficiently formulaic and accessibly organized to be used as a reference text. Dunn employs very sharp textual analysis, and is able to refute common preconceptions about Paul merely by defining certain Pauline terms more accurately by taking their context into consideration.
A notable example of this is the discussion of Paul's understanding of "flesh", sarx , and what it means to live "according to the flesh", kata sarka.
Another example is the term "faith", which Paul understood not as mere belief, but rather as the response of the Messianic believer to God's all-sustaining grace.
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New Testament. Old Testament. Higher Education. Bible Study. Christian Belief. Christian Living. American History. Ancient History. Early Christianity. Early Judaism. History of Christi Medieval History. Modern History. World History. Notify me. Description In this major work, James D. Dunn brings together more than two decades of vigorous and creative work on interpreting the letters of Paul into an integrated, full-scale study of Paul's thought. Using Paul's letter to the Romans as the foundation for constructing a fuller exposition of Paul's whole theology, Dunn's thematic treatment clearly describes Paul's teaching on such topics as God, humankind, sin, christology, salvation, the church, and the Christian life.
In the process Dunn engages in a concise way what other important scholars have said regarding each area of inquiry. The Theology of Paul the Apostle represents a major contribution to the ongoing discussion regarding what Paul's theology is and what its continuing relevance is to the study and practice of religion and theology.
Back cover copy In this major work, James D. Every page betrays the excitement of dialoguing with Paul. In the creativity of its approach, the elegance of its prose, and the passion of its conviction that Paul has much to say to the modern church, it sets a new standard against which all competitors will be judged. While others have been intimidated, he boldly moves forward, with appropriate modesty and grace.
It is clear that he has made a significant contribution to Pauline studies. Among its virtues are its impressive breadth of coverage, its wealth of citation of primary literature, and its judicious interaction with secondary literature. James Dunn has now risen to the challenge, producing a theology of Paul that will serve as a benchmark for the next generation of students and scholars.
It is hard to imagine a scholar in the English-speaking world better equipped to compose a theology of Paul. He brings to the task not only comprehensive knowledge of Paul, but also an encyclopedic grasp of the secondary literature and the flow of Pauline studies.
His magisterial, lucid exposition of Paul's thought will be welcomed warmly by scholars, teachers, and students alike. This is a work of outstanding scholarship: there is no comparable book in English. Achtemeier -- Union Theological Seminary in Virginia "This book is a serious attempt by a widely informed and careful scholar to point the way to finding in Paul's theology an integrated whole, using Romans as the road map for the journey.
Any such attempt is bound to provoke discussion both pro and con, but it is an attempt that all who are interested in Paul's theological thought will have to take seriously. Truly 'must-reading.
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