Book Review Says That “At Its Core Is the Recognition That Judaism Is Not a Religion of Self-Righteousness
Book Review E. P. Sanders. Paul: A Very Short Introduction. Very Short Introductions. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2001. 165 pp. Paperback. (First published 1991 as Paul in Oxford University Press Past Masters series. Published 2009 with new illustrations and additional text as Paul in Sterling Publishing A Brief Insight series). Reviewed by Lyn Nixon Introduction/Summary E. P. Sanders’ short introduction to Paul begins with chapters covering Paul’s mission, his life, and his missionary strategy and basic message. Following this are chapters outlining certain key theological topics or themes in Paul’s writings: the return of the Lord and the resurrection of the dead, righteousness by faith and being in Christ (a chapter each for Galatians and Romans), Christology, the law, (correct) behavior according to Paul, and the salvation of Israel and of the world as presented in Romans 9-11. Between chapter 4 on the return of the Lord and the two chapters on righteousness by faith, Sanders includes a chapter on Paul’s theological presuppositions, specifically monotheism and providence. Although this book is billed as an “introduction,” this is something of a misnomer. From the outset, the language of the book is quite technical and presumes a basic understanding of Judaism and early Christianity, which many students in public secondary school may not have. The book even looks technical, since the typeface is very small, the paragraphs are flush left with a single blank line between them, the chapter headings are in gray scale, and there are only seven illustrations, all black-and-white. (Those considering using the book might take a look at the 2009 hardcover edition, which has standard paragraphing plus more—and color— illustrations).
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