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About

This detailed yet eminently readable description of Paul’s life clearly shows that all sources converge to present a pioneer life: adventurous, unpredictable, nonlinear, full of risks. An analysis of Paul’s place in the development of the Christian church shows that Paul was not a marginal figure, operating out of reaction. He was instead a driven pioneer for a Christianity that is aware of Christ’s kingship, and that realizes it is not a new religion but the fulfillment of the messianic promises made to Abraham. Thus Paul was above all the pioneer for the Messiah, Jesus Christ.

Endorsements

"I read this book with fascination. The author knows how to write in clear and appealing language."

—A. Noordegraaf, Theologia Reformata

"Van Bruggen has succeeded in writing a textbook aboout . . . Paul that is exceedingly sound, reads smoothly, and is well organized."

—Frederique Vanneuville

"Van Bruggen writes compellingly. . . . This work is suitable for beginning Christians, but also for seasoned theologians. . . ."

—Parakleet

The Author

Jakob Van Bruggen

Jakob Van Bruggen (ThD, Utrecht University) is research professor of New Testament at the Theological University in Kampen, Netherlands, where he taught from 1967 until 2001. He is the author of more than fifteen commentaries and monographs in Dutch and English, including Christ on Earth: The Gospel Narratives as History; Jesus the Son of God: The Gospel Narratives as Message; and The Future of the Bible. He is general editor of a major New Testament commentary series published by J. H. Kok, Kampen. He has lectured at seminaries and colleges in several countries and has presented papers at the annual meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society.

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