Description: This book challenges a popular and influential thesis in
Lukan scholarship presented by the Tübingen School: Paul is a rival of
Peter and Paul is an anti-Jewish apostle. Consequently, he is solely an
apostle to Gentiles in Acts. Through a narrative-critical method, Wenxi
Zhang studies Paul's inaugural speech in Antioch of Pisidia and its
literary function in relation to Paul's missionary activity among Jews
in Acts. He concludes (1) that this inaugural sermon functions as an
interpretative key to understand the narrative of Paul's missionary
activity among his fellow Jews; and (2) that Paul is not anti-Jewish. He
remains a faithful Jew who proclaims to his fellow Jews the fulfillment
of God's promise to David in Jesus' resurrection. Consequently, Acts is
not anti-Jewish document. Endorsements: ""This insightful
narrative-critical analysis of Paul's inaugural sermon in the synagogue
of Antioch in Pisidia not only deftly illustrates its often unrecognized
central importance within Luke-Acts, but helpfully contributes to a
correction of any misguided notions that Paul was anti-Jewish. Highly
recommended for all scholars of Luke-Acts and of Paul."" -John Paul Heil
The Catholic University of America ""Wenxi Zhang's study, Paul Among
Jews, opens a new way for us to view Paul in Acts. His work shows that
Luke portrays Paul as a great missionary to his own people, the Jews, as
well as to Gentiles."" -Frank J. Matera The Catholic University of
America ""As the apostle to the Gentiles, Paul is often characterized as
anti-Jewish. In this seminal narrative-critical analysis of the model
sermon of Paul in Pisidian Antioch composed by the author of Acts, Wenxi
Zhang shows how Paul emphasized the Jewish concept of the resurrection
of the Davidic Messiah. Although Paul announces that he will turn to the
Gentiles, he continues to go first to preach in Jewish synagogues as a
missionary to the Jews among the Gentiles."" -Francis T. Gignac, SJ The
Catholic University of America About the Contributor(s): Wenxi Zhang
(PhD, Catholic University of America) is Academic Dean at Hebei Catholic
Major Seminary in Shijiazhuang, Director of the Faith Institute for
Cultural Studies, and an editor of the Lectio Divina Chinese Bible
translation.
