The Apostle Paul

By: Luke Timothy Johnson, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Luke Timothy Johnson

Coming to grips with Christianity means coming to grips with Paul. There is no figure aside from Jesus himself who is more important to the history of this world religion, and no figure from the age of the early church about whom we know more or of whom we have a more rounded view.

Historian Luke Timothy Johnson, the best-selling author of The Real Jesus, offers a fresh and historically grounded assessment of the life and letters of Christianity's "apostle to the Gentiles" in this 12-lecture series.

"One of the most fascinating, important, and controversial figures in the religious history of the West, Paul the Apostle continues to find champions and detractors, sometimes in surprising places," says Professor Johnson.

This course addresses many questions concerning Paul's embattled life and work:

• Is Paul the inventor of Christianity or part of a larger movement?
• Is he best understood from the Acts of the Apostles or from his letters?
• Why does he focus on the moral character of the community?
• How do his supporters and detractors depict him?

You consider his letters to the Thessalonians, Corinthians, and Galatians. You explore his religious commitments as a member of the Pharisaic movement, his persecution of the Christian sect, the dramatic experience that changed him into an apostle, and his work as a missionary and church founder.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2001 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2001 The Great Courses

Excellent Introduction to Paul

This Introduction to Paul places Paul's writings in their historical context. Using historical, rhetorical, and literary tools, Johnson sheds light on these important writings.

Doesn't present scholarly mainstream

One of many non-mainstream views is that the Pastoral epistles were authored by Paul.

unbiased and straightforward

Lecturer offered not just his own opinions and reasonings but also other leading opinions and their supporting arguments. Unbiased and fair representation of the material and the current state of the subject matter!

Absolutely worth a listen!

Everyone should have a fuller understanding of the teachings and characters within the Bible. This series of lectures is laid out in an easy to follow way that helps deepen your understanding of context in the first churches, and proves how God is “Not a respecter of persons”; meaning God can use any type of person in radical ways, and our focus should be on the truth that is in Jesus and our receiving of the Holy Spirit to do His will.

Profound, instructive and elevating

This is an excellent treatment of Paul - illustrating so much about his times, methods and world view. It really gives some excellent additional material, ideas and interpretations. I was unaware of the various rhetorical structures used by Paul - or maybe had never had them explained so thoroughly and well.
I believe this series was recorded in the early 2000’s - so some of the use of the terms such as “gender” which are now so problematic, laden and potentially divisive might jar a little (only because of our current cultural battles). I was delighted to have my mind enlightened by this series - so I seriously recommended it. I loved the final lecture about the impact of Paul - and the ways he has been interpreted - on the development of the various sects and streams of Christianity. The lecturer is first class.