“Four Views on The Apostle Paul” Book by Bird

Introduction

Bird’s book Four Views on the Apostle Paul focuses on Paul as an important figure in Christian theology. Problems arise now when it comes to understanding Paul’s thoughts on the church. For the authors, proving Pauline’s correct understanding is as simple and plain as possible. Beyond the arguments of many historical and current Christian cultures, this is done. Its principal objective is to help readers understand Paul’s past and present views on redemption, Christ’s worth, Paul’s theological stance, and Paul’s aspirations for the churches. Paul’s theology is discussed from the views of evangelicals, Catholics, Protestants, and Jews. Despite their differing interpretations of Paul’s work, they all agree that “Paul matters,”¹.

The Contributors and Their Claim

Thomas Schreiner is a Calvinist Restored Baptist who adds to the literature from a Restored Baptist standpoint. To say that Schreiner is correct is an understatement. Additionally, Schreiner emphasizes that the Apostles’ writings are the key to Reformed philosophy, which explains the difference between justification by faith and grace by redemption alone. From a Catholic perspective, Luke Timothy Johnson participates in the argument. Paul, as noted by Johnson, remained in touch with his Jewish roots and made it a point to preach that Jesus is the Savior of all people, not just Jews. The character of Christ is important to Johnson, on the other hand. His mercy is clearly seen in Paul’s works and the remission of sins,².

Douglas Campbell has a “Post-New Perspective” on Paul, according to Bird. As stated by Campbell, the Apostle Paul makes it very plain in his works that salvation is a gift from Heaven, and Jesus is the personification and fulfillment of that gift for humanity, ³. Paul’s ideas on salvation and the church may be seen in Romans 5:12-8:13, according to the author,⁴ Mark D. Nanos, a Jew, rounds off the discussion. As a response to the Christian notion that Paul rejects Judaism, Nanos has joined the discussion. Nonetheless, Nano’s research challenges the Jewish view of Paul. A better understanding of their similar beginnings can help Jews and Christians better understand one other,”⁵.

Conclusion

After reviewing Bird’s “Four View on the Apostle Paul,” I agree with the authors’ views that salvation is a gift from God since I have been exposed to their views before. This interest in the Jewish religion and how it inspired and informed the apostle’s life and ministry to non-Jews following his Damascene road experience has been piqued. This book is a vital resource for its readers.

Bibliography

Bird, Michael F, Thomas R Schreiner, Luke Timothy Johnson, Douglas A Campbell, and Mark D Nanos. Four Views on The Apostle Paul. Grand Rapids, Zondervan, 2012.

Charles, Ronald. “Book Review: Four Views on the Apostle Paul.” (2016): 47-48.

Gombos, Timothy G. “Four Views on the Apostle Paul.” Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 56, no. 2 (2013): 428.

Gundry, Stanley N., Douglas A. Campbell, Mark D. Nanos, Luke Timothy Johnson, and Thomas R. Schreiner. Four Views on the Apostle Paul. Zondervan Academic, 2012.

O’Reilly, Matthew P. “Four Views on the Apostle Paul by Thomas R. Schreiner, Luke Timothy Johnson, Douglas A. Campbell, and Mark D. Nanos, Zondervan, 2012 (ISBN 978‐0‐310‐32695‐3), 236 pp., PB $17.99.” Reviews in Religion & Theology 20, no. 2 (2013): 312-315.

Footnotes

1. Bird, Michael F, Thomas R Schreiner, Luke Timothy Johnson, Douglas A Campbell, and Mark D Nanos. Four Views on The Apostle Pau. Grand Rapids, Zondervan, 2012.
2. Gombos, Timothy G. “Four Views on the Apostle Paul.” Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 56, no. 2 (2013): 428.
3. Charles, Ronald. “Book Review: Four Views on the Apostle Paul.” (2016): 47-48.
4. Gundry, Stanley N., Douglas A. Campbell, Mark D. Nanos, Luke Timothy Johnson, and Thomas R. Schreiner. Four Views on the Apostle Paul. Zondervan Academic, 2012.
5. O’Reilly, Matthew P. “Four Views on the Apostle Paul by Thomas R. Schreiner, Luke Timothy Johnson, Douglas A. Campbell, and Mark D. Nanos, Zondervan, 2012 (ISBN 978‐0‐310‐32695‐3), 236 pp., PB $17.99.” Reviews in Religion & Theology 20, no. 2 (2013): 312-315.