Charts on the Life,
Letters, and Theology of Paul by Lars Kierspel
This new book of charts on the life, letters, and theology
of Paul by Lars Kierspel is an extraordinary resource for students. The charts are broken up into four sections:
Background and context, life and ministry, letters, and theological
concepts. Each section is replete with
biblical verse citations, ancient source references and short commentary on the
various concepts that are introduced.
Not only do you get a thoughtful and well-presented chart on Paul but
you also are encouraged to learn more about Paul through the references.
Dead Aim Focus
It would be very easy to produce a selection of charts on
Paul and overwhelm the student trying to engage the whole of Paul’s
thought. Yet, Lars is very careful to
bring to the surface those details that are most pertinent to Paul’s theology
and ministry. In the section of
background, Lars provides us with a chart on First-Century Judaisms that is to
the point but also very illuminating.
Looking at the Pharisees, he writes,
“Thought not without discussion,
the Psalms of Solomon (1st
century BC) are frequently regarded as an expression of Pharisaic beliefs” (24)
I worked through the Psalms of Solomon in seminary many
years ago, but was unfamiliar that this book was regarded as an example of
Pharisaic beliefs. Lars here gives his
readers a specific focused text that relates to the way of life that Paul was
brought up in and helps us understand how this belief system affected his
ministry. Further along in the book,
Lars outlines letter by letter the arguments that Paul’s opponents took against
him in some detail. Often, you get a
glimpse of the divisive and ugly situations Paul is in but miss out on the
whole story of his interactions with his opponents. Lars carefully highlights in bold the key
opponents against Paul and what they said in order to eradicate his
ministry. This kind of dead aim focus is
very helpful in writing a paper, developing a sermon, and in personal study.
Balanced Discussion
The very last section in the book is Kierspel’s comments on
each section that displays a chart. I
was noticeably encouraged that Lars was very balanced in his comments regarding
some very volatile issues. Regarding the
“New Perseptives” on Paul, Lars identifies how both approaches (old perspective
found that Paul was speaking of evil inside the heart while new perspective
identifies Paul ‘addressing the Jewish insistence on outside boundary markers
that keep Gentiles out’) bear a particular weight in the Scriptures. Quoting from Galatians 5:3 and 2:12, Lars
indicates that the first half of 5:3 points to the ethnic interest of Israel in
keeping Gentiles away through circumcision while also noting that the last half
of the verse deals with obedient behavior (251-252). Lars is quick to point out that Paul is
careful to point to his Jewish contemporaries that their boasting inherently condemns
them because they fail to follow all of the Law’s requirements.
Broad Range of Uses
Lastly, these charts provide an immense amount of material
that can be used for a broad range of ways.
I think the charts elucidating each book written by Paul would be very
beneficial for a small group going through a book written by Paul. The way Paul uses certain words to bring out
his eschatology and Christology is a helpful resource in preaching. The comments in the back section alongside
the references throughout the book make these charts ideal for study in a
college or seminary. Finally, I believe
these charts actually promote a deep sense of biblical literacy that can lead
to gospel saving faith, which glorifies God and magnifies Jesus Christ.
Thanks to Kregel Academic for the review copy of this book
in exchange for review.
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