Author Description

"Paul's messianism put him at the margins of Pharisaism. His preaching placed him in tension with the Synagogue. His Gospel set him on the outer border of Hellenistic religion. Situated on the edge of every sect and popular philosophy he engaged, Paul's radical marginality was ever letting loose an abundance of tension and creativity." "In Paul - A Jew on the Margins, Calvin Roetzel explains Paul's complex relationship to first-century Judaism and elements of the early church. In so doing, he tackles a great many of the most disputed areas of Pauline theology: How can we speak of Paul as a convert? How far did Paul accept the apocalyptic myth? What are we to make of Paul's theology of weakness? How far did Paul embrace pluralism? And how could Paul preach that Gentiles shared in God's election without excluding Jews? An illuminating and essential study for all serious explorations into the life of Paul."--Jacket.