Michael Bird the author, has a background in theological studies added to him being an Anglican priest. Among his academic interest is a focus on Pauline Chronology and Theology which gives him a more or less avid grasp of the input and contribution of Paul into Christianity and Theology.1 Paul being one of the most researched and documented apostles is as a result of his contribution to Christianity being noteworthy and him being an interesting to influence Christianity. Michael Bird has written before about understanding the different perspectives of Paul in some earlier works; The Saving Righteousness of God and A Bird’s-Eye View of Paul in 2007 and 2008 respectively. 1So he is not a stranger to Paul’s contribution and his works but rather
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In addition, this book goes an extra mile with the Post-New Perspective by Douglas Campbell which is rather a surprising element but offer new angles. Campbell teaches on the New Testament as a Professor and is based at Duke University. This background is an added flavour and in the introduction Michael Bird says this about him, “... he occupies a position that is a bit more difficult to describe. Campbell does not stand in any single school......we have labelled Campbell’s position as ‘Post-New Perspective on Paul” (13). Campbell offers a tolerant view of Judaism arguing that it should be viewed as religious form without legal measurements and scales and through which the teachings of Paull regarding eternal life and salvation can be assessed and understood against”.3 This book tries to bring Paul to life from different points of view and it succeeds in that while at the same time shoeing weaknesses in arguments presented by the contributing scholars and in so doing helps form and establish one’s opinion on how they view Apostle Paul. Although the book achieves this, it lacks in other areas.
Basically the biggest argument and topic of contention in this book is mainly the significance of Christ and …show more content…
This view maintains the importance of Christ giving His life for the salvation of mankind and the dissemination of His teachings through Paul is a gift to mankind. Johnson on the other hand present a Catholic perspective and tries to maintain the position of Paul in the medieval church although maintain that Christ is at the centre of the Church, he still favours the catholic interpretation of Christ significance being an example to
In addition, this book goes an extra mile with the Post-New Perspective by Douglas Campbell which is rather a surprising element but offer new angles. Campbell teaches on the New Testament as a Professor and is based at Duke University. This background is an added flavour and in the introduction Michael Bird says this about him, “... he occupies a position that is a bit more difficult to describe. Campbell does not stand in any single school......we have labelled Campbell’s position as ‘Post-New Perspective on Paul” (13). Campbell offers a tolerant view of Judaism arguing that it should be viewed as religious form without legal measurements and scales and through which the teachings of Paull regarding eternal life and salvation can be assessed and understood against”.3 This book tries to bring Paul to life from different points of view and it succeeds in that while at the same time shoeing weaknesses in arguments presented by the contributing scholars and in so doing helps form and establish one’s opinion on how they view Apostle Paul. Although the book achieves this, it lacks in other areas.
Basically the biggest argument and topic of contention in this book is mainly the significance of Christ and …show more content…
This view maintains the importance of Christ giving His life for the salvation of mankind and the dissemination of His teachings through Paul is a gift to mankind. Johnson on the other hand present a Catholic perspective and tries to maintain the position of Paul in the medieval church although maintain that Christ is at the centre of the Church, he still favours the catholic interpretation of Christ significance being an example to