Charts on the Life Letters and Theology of Paul

"This useful contribution by Lars Kierspel provides us with a treasure trove of information on Paul's world, life and ministry, churches, letters, and thought. All of this is condensed into a format of some 111 charts, each covering a different topic related to Paul and his epistles. The charts are arranged into four categories, covering Paul's background and context, his life and ministry, his letters, and finally his theological concepts. Though not completely exhaustive in scope, Kierspel covers the main issues in each category, such as the religious and political context of Paul's world and the setting of each Pauline letter, with brief introductions ("snapshots") of its contents. Current scholarly debates about such things as authorship and interpretation of problem passages are treated thoroughly and in a balanced presentation, with ample bibliographical notes for further investigation. Especially valuable are his treatments of topics of particular current interest and scholarly debate, such as the role of women in Paul's churches, the meaning of his phrase "faith (of) Christ," and the "new perspective" on Paul, to mention but a few."--John Polhill, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.