Some Surprises from the Apostle Paul
By William O. Walker, Jr.
Controversial during his lifetime and ever since, the Apostle Paul is often accused of being homophobic, misogynistic, anti-Semitic, dogmatic, narrow-minded, prejudiced, and downright obtuse. Walker argues that some of the animosity toward Paul stems from ignorance of his cultural context and/or the assumption that he wrote everything attributed to him. In Some Surprises from the Apostle Paul, Walker addresses common misconceptions and explores what can be learned about Paul from the historical evidence.
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William O. Walker Jr. (Ph.D., Duke University) is Jennie Farris Railey King Professor Emeritus of Religion at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. The author of Gospels, Jesus, and Christian Origins (2016), Paul and His Legacy (2015), and Interpolations in the Pauline Letters (2001), he is a longtime Fellow of Westar Institute.
"... an engaging introduction to some of the thornier questions arising from the writings of a thinker who has himself been a thorn in the side of readers through the ages."
—Catholic Biblical Quarterly
"Deals in a very honest and straightforward manner with most of the problems that arise when we discuss the writings of Paul: the historical Jesus, faith, justification, eschatology, women, sex and homosexuality. ... I heartily recommended this book."
—Progressive Voices
"Walker has brilliantly succeeded in packaging ten of the more puzzling features or surprising issues that lead the reader to the heart of Pauline thought. Anyone interested in Paul will profit by the author’s carefully crafted and well-written exploration of Paul’s letters. An ideal guide for adult discussion groups."
—David E. Aune, University of Notre Dame
"In this reader-friendly discussion of difficult New Testament themes, Walker uses his years of scholarship to demonstrate Paul's surprising honesty in the midst of life's moral challenges. Pastors, Christian educators and the general public will find this volume both stimulating and enjoyable."
—Dr. William S. Campbell, University of Wales
"Walker’s argument is not a modernist’s apology for Paul, but a carefully argued analysis of the Pauline texts, with a sophisticated understanding of how they were reshaped in the process of collection and publication by followers of the apostle. The book will be a stimulating read for scholars, pastors and lay readers of Paul."
—Harold W. Attridge, Yale Divinity School
