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Book cover of Paul Behaving Badly

Paul Behaving Badly

Was the Apostle a Racist, Chauvinist Jerk?

by E. Randolph Richards, Brandon J. O'Brien ยท 2016

ISBN: 0830873325 9780830873326

Category: Religion / Biblical Studies / New Testament / Paul's Letters

Page count: 224

<p><b>The apostle Paul was kind of a jerk.</b>He was arrogant and stubborn. He called his opponents derogatory, racist names. He legitimized slavery and silenced women. He was a moralistic, homophobic killjoy who imposed his narrow religious views on others. Or was he?Randolph Richards and Brandon O'Brien explore the complicated persona and teachings of the apostle Paul. Unpacking his personal history and cultural context, they show how Paul both offended Roman perspectives and scandalized Jewish sensibilities. His vision of Christian faith was deeply disturbing to those in his day and remains so in ours.Paul behaved badly, but not just in the ways we might think. Take another look at Paul and see why this "worst of sinners" dares to say, "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ."</p>