In this definitive biography, renowned Bible scholar, Anglican bishop,
and bestselling author N. T. Wright offers a radical look at the apostle
Paul, illuminating the humanity and remarkable achievements of this
intellectual who invented Christian theology--transforming a faith and
changing the world.
For centuries, Paul, the apostle who "saw the light on the Road to
Damascus" and made a miraculous conversion from zealous Pharisee
persecutor to devoted follower of Christ, has been one of the church's
most widely cited saints. While his influence on Christianity has been
profound, N. T. Wright argues that Bible scholars and pastors have
focused so much attention on Paul's letters and theology that they have
too often overlooked the essence of the man's life and the extreme
unlikelihood of what he achieved.
To Wright, "The problem is that Paul is central to any understanding of
earliest Christianity, yet Paul was a Jew; for many generations
Christians of all kinds have struggled to put this together." Wright
contends that our knowledge of Paul and appreciation for his legacy
cannot be complete without an understanding of his Jewish heritage.
Giving us a thoughtful, in-depth exploration of the human and
intellectual drama that shaped Paul, Wright provides greater clarity of
the apostle's writings, thoughts, and ideas and helps us see them in a
fresh, innovative way.
Paul is a compelling modern biography that reveals the apostle's
greater role in Christian history--as an inventor of new paradigms for
how we understand Jesus and what he accomplished--and celebrates his
stature as one of the most effective and influential intellectuals in
human history.
