The Divine Christology of the Apostle Paul

The last fifty years of Pauline scholarship have provided numerous insights to both the academy and the church. Some of those most important discussions have related to the question of Paul's view of Christ with respect to his divinity. While the landscape is rich with scholarly findings, it can be overwhelming to navigate the complex lines of argumentation and the interactions between various key scholars.

In The Divine Christology of the Apostle Paul, biblical scholars Chris Bruno, John Lee, and Thomas Schreiner explore the more detailed and often perplexing conversations concerning the divinity of Christ, bringing helpful guidance and clarity to scholars' various articulations, including those of:



- Richard Bauckham

- Larry Hurtado

- Chris Tilling

- N. T. Wright

- and othersAfter offering a cohesive and constructive understanding of such landmark studies, they then provide their own insights through the exegetical study of key New Testament passages related to Paul's Christology.

Filled with helpful charts, appendixes, and study aids, The Divine Christology of the Apostle Paul is an essential guide for any student, pastor, or scholar looking for an insightful distillation of this key dimension of Pauline studies.



Chris Bruno (PhD, Wheaton College) is a global partner with Training Leaders International and the founding president of Oahu Theological Seminary, Oahu, Hawaii. He is the author of several books, including The Whole Story of the Bible in 16 Verses and, with Jared Compton and Kevin McFadden, Biblical Theology According to the Apostles.



John J. R. Lee (PhD, University of Edinburgh) is professor of New Testament at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Kansas City. He is the author of a number of books, including Christological Rereading of the Shema in Mark's Gospel and (with Daniel Brueske) A Ransom for Many.



Thomas R. Schreiner (PhD, Fuller Theological Seminary) is associate dean and James Buchanan Harrison Professor of New Testament Interpretation at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky. He is the author of numerous books including commentaries on Romans and Galatians and Paul, Apostle of God's Glory in Christ.

Acknowledgments


1. Introduction
Part One: Recent Proposals for Pauline Divine Christology


2. The Divine Identity Paradigm: Richard Bauckham


3. The Corporate Worship Paradigm: Larry Hurtado


4. The Christ-Relation Paradigm: Chris Tilling


5. The YHWH's Return Paradigm: N. T. Wright


6. Evaluation
Part Two: Exegetical Analysis for Pauline Divine Christology


7. Jesus, the One Lord of Israel


8. Jesus, the Incarnate God Who Humbled Himself as Man


9. Jesus, the Ruler and Sovereign of Creation and New Creation


10. Jesus, the Subordinate One?


11. Conclusion


Afterword by Thomas R. Schreiner


Appendix I: Other Notable Contributors


Appendix II: For Review


Appendix III: Some Tips on Second Temple Jewish Writings


Bibliography


General Index


Scripture Index

"Chris Bruno, John J. R. Lee, and Thomas R. Schreiner offer an insightful overview of recent scholarship on the apostle Paul's Christology while also engaging in their own detailed examination of the key texts in Paul's letters to show that Paul does indeed have a divine Christology. In particular, they demonstrate with clarity and attention to detail that Paul's Jesus shares in the lordship of Israel's God; he is the pre-existent agent of creation who is worthy of worship because of his incarnate life and atoning death. A useful book to begin the study of Paul's Christology."



"This book fulfills its stated intention—to provide readers with an introduction to recent significant discussions on Pauline Christology in an accessible manner. Readers will benefit from its concise summaries and evenhanded evaluations of the four selected scholars who have advanced this conversation. The authors' theological perspectives are well presented through their exegetical analyses of key scriptural passages."



"The New Testament is a book about Jesus of Nazareth, who is Messiah, Savior, Lord, the embodiment of God in his salvific revelation to Jews and Gentiles. In The Divine Christology of the Apostle Paul, readers encounter an analysis of past and present scholarship as well as detailed exegetical work on Paul's statements about Jesus. Since Paul preached nothing but the crucified Messiah (1 Cor 2:2), this important book addresses the foundation and center of Paul's proclamation and theology. As the book accessibly combines interpretive and theological depth, scholars, students, pastors, and all who are interested in what Christians believe will benefit immensely."



"Bruno, Lee, and Schreiner have gifted the church with a terrific overview of contemporary approaches to Christology in Paul. Their survey, balanced and informed, contains helpful taxonomies of the major positions. For anyone looking to enter the debate or simply gain a better understanding of Paul's conception of Christ, this is a wonderful place to start."



"What a tremendous and well-conceived resource! This fine work offers those entering these discussions a detailed road map. The authors are careful and knowledgeable guides. But more than that, there is also much in these pages for experts to learn from; their helpful criticisms of major scholarly contributions, my own included, deserve sustained attention, as does their positive set of proposals. Paul matters. What he wrote remains load bearing with wide-ranging consequences. And to understand Paul aright, nothing remains as important as the continued need to think and rethink who Jesus is for Paul, and why this matters. This rich and learned book is an immensely valuable aid to that end." weniger anzeigen expand_less