Recovering the strangeness of scripture for the life of the church-- These essays reveal the consistency and integrity of a master exegete, New Testament theologian, and churchman. Stendahl brings to the biblical text a constant concern to discover what was meant by a particular biblical passage, as free as possible of the doctrinal or cultural preoccupations of intervening centuries, but also to reflect on what the text means to us today, ever alert to the ways scripture has fueled anti-semitism, the subordination of women, and other forms of prejudice and injury. The combination of respect shown here for the diversity of meanings in scripture and the urgency of reflecting--critically and faithfully--on our contemporary responsibilities in light of scripture is irresistible. The collection is a testament to the wide range of Stendahl's interests and the depth of his perception. "The hard eyes Stendahl turns upon scripture also have a glint in them, sometimes reminding his audience of a vision yet larger than scripture, to which scripture is intended to point. . . ." --Frederick H. Borsch, Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia "Our answers to [the issues with which Stendahl deals] will not always be the same as his. Yet our own convictions will be clarified even more than they will be challenged by the thoughts of this giant among New Testament scholars." --John Howard Rhys, School of Theology at Sewanee "There can only be admiration for the candor with which [Stendahl] pokes holes in the pompous balloons of pious zealotism. His minimalism pushes toward the acceptance of finiteness and creatureliness--yes, even for theologians!" --Robin Scroggs, Chicago Theological Seminary "Do not miss this thought-provoking collection form one of the church's outstanding biblical scholars." --David Rhoads, Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago Krister Stendahl was Andrew W. Mellon Professor Emeritus and former Dean at Harvard Divinity School, and Bishop Emeritus of Stockholm. Among his many writings is Paul among Jews and Gentiles (Fortress Press, 1976) and Final Account (Fortress Press, 1995).

A sharp challenge to traditional ways of understanding Paul is sounded in this book by a distinguished interpreter of the New Testament. Krister Stendahl proposes-in the key title essay-new ways of exploring Paul's speech: Paul must be heard as one who speaks of his call rather than conversion, of justification rather than forgiveness, or weakness rather than sin, of love rather than integrity, and in unique rather than universal language. The title essay is complemented by the landmark paper, "Paul and the Introspective Conscience of the West," and by two seminal explorations of Pauline issues, "Judgement and Mercy" and "Glossolalia-The New Testament Evidence." The book concludes with Stendahl's pointed reply to the eminent scholar Ernst Kasemann who has taken issue with the author's revolutionary interpretations. This volume provides convincingly new ways for viewing Paul, the most formative of Christian teachers.

Interpretation of Paul has long been dominated by Lutheran/Protestant theological concerns. Paul has been treated as primarily concerned with narrowly personal religious issues, and critics have often contended that Paul was a conservative regarding social issues. The contributors to this volume deal in original and provocative fashion with several interrelated issues running through Paul's letters and their subsequent interpretation in Christian history. The essays cover several interrelated topics concerning Paul and politics: Paul and the politics of interpretation; Paul and the politics of the Roman Empire; Paul and the politics of Israel (relations of Jews and Gentiles); Paul and the politics of the churches (relations of women and men, slaves and free). Contributors include: Krister Stendahl (Harvard Divinity School); Elisabeth Schussler Fiorenza (Harvard Divinity School); Richard A. Horsley (University of Massachusetts, Boston); Alan Segal (Barnard College); Antoinette C. Wire (San Francisco Theological Seminary); N. T. Wright (Westminster Cathedral); Sheila Briggs (University of Southern California); Cynthia Briggs Kittredge (Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest); Pamela Eisenbaum (Iliff School of Theology); Mark Nanos (Lees Summit, Missouri); Allen Callahan (Harvard Divinity School); Sze-kar Wan (Andover Newton Theological School); Robert Jewett (Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary); and Neil Elliott (Seabury Western). Richard A. Horsley is Professor of Classics and Religion at the University of Massachusetts, Boston and is the author of numerous books including Galilee: History, Politics, and People (Trinity Press).

In his typically engaging style, Stendahl offers a provocative and compelling reading of Paul's letter to the Romans, the "final account" of the major themes of Paul's theology. Filled with fresh and creative insights from a lifetime of reflection, this book will be enthusiastically received by laypersons, clergy, students, and scholars.