The Course of Paul's Life: Reconstructed from his Authentic Letters

A NEW LOOK ON PAUL'S LIFE

Two different sources inform us about Paul: his letters and the Acts of the Apostles, the second book of the evangelist Luke. Most Paul studies treat the data from both sources interchangeably. What is lacking in the letters is supplemented from the Acts and vice versa. But does this really do justice to these sources?

In this study on the course of Paul's life, Peter van 't Riet shows which images of Paul emerge when his letters and the Acts are read independently of each other. Then, in addition to similarities, it turns out that there are also great differences, so great that the author speaks of a midrash transformation that Luke applied to Paul.

The book begins with a discussion of the seven authentic letters of Paul, which are reviewed one by one. In addition, some critical notes are placed on the contemporary exegesis of Paul's letters. Next, the author lists what Paul's letters tell us about his life. Then Paul's life course in the Acts is discussed and placed along that of Paul's own letters. It turns out that Luke was not the first church historian, but a "narrative theologian" who, with his Jewish discourse in narrative form (midrash), mapped out a messianic strategy to redeem the Judaism of his days from the hand of the Roman oppressor. In between, the question is addressed whether the historical Paul was not only a Jew, but also a Roman.

"The Course of Paul's Life" offers readers an opportunity to rethink their view on Paul.