Description

This volume collects sixteen essays published by Troels Engberg-Pedersen between 1994 and 2023 in which he analyses Pauline texts and themes philosophically, often using ancient philosophy (particularly Stoicism) as a comparison to invigorate traditional theological exegesis of Paul. Published in chronological order, the essays are preceded by a substantial introduction tracing their analytical development. This leads to a final account of Paul's message, bringing all the issues together in a single strand. Among the central themes tackled are the relationship between 'theology' and 'ethics', the logical form of Pauline 'moral exhortation', the understanding of 'flesh' and 'spirit', the logic of action, personhood and Paul's soteriology. Along the way, Paul's 'apocalypticism' and his relationship with Judaism gain in importance, with the analysis reaching its goal in an explication of the notion of the 'Christ circle'.