The apostle Paul was kind of a jerk. He was arrogant and stubborn. He called his opponents derogatory, racist names. He legitimized slavery and silenced women. He was a moralistic, homophobic killjoy who imposed his narrow religious views on others. Or was he?
Compiling the common charges against Paul—that he was rude and arrogant, a chauvinist and racist, a prude and a homophobe, a hypocrite and a twister of Scripture— Paul Behaving Badly explores the complicated persona and teaching of the apostle Paul.
Unpacking his personal history and cultural context, professors Randolph Richards and Brandon O'Brien demonstrate how Paul both offended Roman perspective and scandalized Jewish sensibilities, deeply disturbing people with his vision of the Christian faith—in his day, as well as in our own. Paul Behaving Badly provides a humble, witty, well-reasoned, and frank assessment about the character, teaching, and ministry of the apostle Paul, reminding readers that he was a human being with all the foibles and potentials every person carries. Paul behaved badly, but not just in the ways we might think. Take another look at Paul and see why this "worst of sinners" dares to say, "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ."
Compiling the common charges against Paul—that he was rude and arrogant, a chauvinist and racist, a prude and a homophobe, a hypocrite and a twister of Scripture— Paul Behaving Badly explores the complicated persona and teaching of the apostle Paul.
Unpacking his personal history and cultural context, professors Randolph Richards and Brandon O'Brien demonstrate how Paul both offended Roman perspective and scandalized Jewish sensibilities, deeply disturbing people with his vision of the Christian faith—in his day, as well as in our own. Paul Behaving Badly provides a humble, witty, well-reasoned, and frank assessment about the character, teaching, and ministry of the apostle Paul, reminding readers that he was a human being with all the foibles and potentials every person carries. Paul behaved badly, but not just in the ways we might think. Take another look at Paul and see why this "worst of sinners" dares to say, "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ."