Description
Rowan Williams explores the essentials of Paul's thought for complete beginners - as well as for those who've read Paul's letters many times before and want to see them in a fresh light. Written at a highly accessible level, this book would make a perfect gift for anyone thinking about confirmation, while also appealing to people who are curious as to why Paul has had such a profound influence on Christian history and belief. Questions for reflection or group discussion are provided for each chapter. The book also features a reading guide that includes a reflection and prayer for each of the seven weeks of Lent.
Fresh insights into Paul's revolutionary message by one of the world's greatest living theologians.
About the Author
Rowan Williams, Baron Williams of Oystermouth, PC, FBA, FRSL, FLSW, is a world renowned theological writer, teacher, and poet. He was the 104th Archbishop of Canterbury (2002-2012) before becoming Master of Magdalene College, Cambridge. His most recent books include A Century of Poetry (2022), Collected Poems (2021), Luminaries (2019), Being Human (2018), God With Us (2017), Being Disciples (2016) and Being Christian (2014).
Reviews
"Forget the notion that Williams' writing is dense. This is chatty and colloquial. It should help preachers to get Paul 'right' (perhaps supplemented by some of Tom Wright's commentaries)." -- Derek Jay, The Reader, Summer 2016
"It is quite extraordinary how much Rowan Williams manages to include in one chapter - all beautifully, briefly and clearly explained... It is difficult to imagine a better short introduction to St Paul than this." -- Neil Richardson, Methodist Recorder
"Rowan William's patiently paced exercise represents, as a cover blurb puts it 'a lifetimes' learning and praying....distilled into profound simplicity." -- Markus Bockmuehl, The Times Literary Supplement
"Is ideal not only for personal reading but for work in groups. Indeed, it includes questions at the end for discussion, as well as selected readings for use during Lent. This is a book which draws on all the best Pauline scholarship of recent years while showing also the author's characteristic independence of mind and judgement. At the same time, it succeeds admirably in its aims of making that scholarship available in non-technical language." -- Richard Harries King's College, Theology Journal Issue 119.4 * Theology Journal Issue 119.4 *
"An asset to scholar and general reader alike." -- The Furrow
"Vintage Williams - an antidote for anyone who has ever struggled with Paul himself or with large, complicated books about the apostle! Three beautifully written chapters explain clearly the social world of the man himself, his disturbing idea of the universal welcome in Christ, and his understanding of the new creation brought about through the death and resurrection of Jesus. This simple but profound introduction to Paul will be helpful at any time of year, but the final questions and Bible studies for reflection will greatly assist those wishing to read it during Lent." -- The Revd Canon Professor Richard A. Burridge Dean of King's College, London
"There are two forms of simplicity. First, there is a certain naive "not knowing" that is yet to encounter the difficulty and challenge of a subject; and then there is another "deeply felt knowing" that sits on the other side of complexity and is only arrived at after much searching and reflection. Here, a subject is known so well that it has become part of the person who tells it. This deceptively simple little book is a wonderful example of this sort of knowing. Rowan Williams seems to have arrived at a point where a lifetime's learning and praying is distilled into profound simplicity." -- The Rt Revd Stephen Cottrell, Bishop of Chelmsford
"In Meeting God in Paul, Rowan Williams explains how Paul moved from being the leader of an anti-Christian terrorist squad to being all-consumed by his contemporary, Jesus, who becomes for Paul "the image of the invisible God". This is a most important and much needed book. It releases St Paul from the box of popular misconception and introduces us to Paul as a powerful evangelist who welcomes all who want to follow Christ, and wishes to bar none." -- David Suchet, actor and presenter of the BBC TV series In the Footsteps of St Paul
"Many people find the complexity of Paul's character a barrier to understanding his writings. Here, Rowan Williams helps us to see that see that Paul's complexity is a gift; that his writings are deep and difficult because we are deep and difficult, and they touch us because they speak to our basic humanity." -- Angela Tilby, Diocesan Canon, Christ Church, Oxford and regular contributor to BBC Radio 4's 'Thought for the Day'
Book Information
ISBN 9780281073382
Author Rt Hon Rowan Williams
Format Paperback
Page Count 96
Imprint SPCK Publishing
Publisher SPCK Publishing
Weight(grams) 133g
Fresh insights into Paul's revolutionary message by one of the world's greatest living theologians.
About the Author
Rowan Williams, Baron Williams of Oystermouth, PC, FBA, FRSL, FLSW, is a world renowned theological writer, teacher, and poet. He was the 104th Archbishop of Canterbury (2002-2012) before becoming Master of Magdalene College, Cambridge. His most recent books include A Century of Poetry (2022), Collected Poems (2021), Luminaries (2019), Being Human (2018), God With Us (2017), Being Disciples (2016) and Being Christian (2014).
Reviews
"Forget the notion that Williams' writing is dense. This is chatty and colloquial. It should help preachers to get Paul 'right' (perhaps supplemented by some of Tom Wright's commentaries)." -- Derek Jay, The Reader, Summer 2016
"It is quite extraordinary how much Rowan Williams manages to include in one chapter - all beautifully, briefly and clearly explained... It is difficult to imagine a better short introduction to St Paul than this." -- Neil Richardson, Methodist Recorder
"Rowan William's patiently paced exercise represents, as a cover blurb puts it 'a lifetimes' learning and praying....distilled into profound simplicity." -- Markus Bockmuehl, The Times Literary Supplement
"Is ideal not only for personal reading but for work in groups. Indeed, it includes questions at the end for discussion, as well as selected readings for use during Lent. This is a book which draws on all the best Pauline scholarship of recent years while showing also the author's characteristic independence of mind and judgement. At the same time, it succeeds admirably in its aims of making that scholarship available in non-technical language." -- Richard Harries King's College, Theology Journal Issue 119.4 * Theology Journal Issue 119.4 *
"An asset to scholar and general reader alike." -- The Furrow
"Vintage Williams - an antidote for anyone who has ever struggled with Paul himself or with large, complicated books about the apostle! Three beautifully written chapters explain clearly the social world of the man himself, his disturbing idea of the universal welcome in Christ, and his understanding of the new creation brought about through the death and resurrection of Jesus. This simple but profound introduction to Paul will be helpful at any time of year, but the final questions and Bible studies for reflection will greatly assist those wishing to read it during Lent." -- The Revd Canon Professor Richard A. Burridge Dean of King's College, London
"There are two forms of simplicity. First, there is a certain naive "not knowing" that is yet to encounter the difficulty and challenge of a subject; and then there is another "deeply felt knowing" that sits on the other side of complexity and is only arrived at after much searching and reflection. Here, a subject is known so well that it has become part of the person who tells it. This deceptively simple little book is a wonderful example of this sort of knowing. Rowan Williams seems to have arrived at a point where a lifetime's learning and praying is distilled into profound simplicity." -- The Rt Revd Stephen Cottrell, Bishop of Chelmsford
"In Meeting God in Paul, Rowan Williams explains how Paul moved from being the leader of an anti-Christian terrorist squad to being all-consumed by his contemporary, Jesus, who becomes for Paul "the image of the invisible God". This is a most important and much needed book. It releases St Paul from the box of popular misconception and introduces us to Paul as a powerful evangelist who welcomes all who want to follow Christ, and wishes to bar none." -- David Suchet, actor and presenter of the BBC TV series In the Footsteps of St Paul
"Many people find the complexity of Paul's character a barrier to understanding his writings. Here, Rowan Williams helps us to see that see that Paul's complexity is a gift; that his writings are deep and difficult because we are deep and difficult, and they touch us because they speak to our basic humanity." -- Angela Tilby, Diocesan Canon, Christ Church, Oxford and regular contributor to BBC Radio 4's 'Thought for the Day'
Book Information
ISBN 9780281073382
Author Rt Hon Rowan Williams
Format Paperback
Page Count 96
Imprint SPCK Publishing
Publisher SPCK Publishing
Weight(grams) 133g
