An Introduction to the Life and Letters of Paul

Learn about the life and ministry of Paul! Paul, an envoy of Jesus the Anointed One, travelled thousands of kilometres to announce the good news of Jesus‘ life, death, resurrection, and promised return. He did so in the midst of much opposition, from both the context of the Roman Empire, as well as from Judeans, including believers in Jesus. Discover how Paul‘s encounter with Jesus radically changed his understanding of himself and God‘s eternal purposes for humankind. This book aims to introduce the reader to Paul‘s life, and the rich legacy of his theology given to us in his letters. Reviews ‘Through this book, Dr Cromhout makes a significant contribution to the field of Pauline studies. He succeeds in bringing the apostle and his world into the minds and hearts of believers and scholars alike. The book provides a bird‘s eye view of the person of Paul and his work yet drills deeper into important aspects of Paul‘s theology. He does so in a critical yet accessible manner which will speak to the believer busy with bible study on the letters of Paul but also the more serious student and academic reader. I heartily recommend this publication as a reference work on the life and work of Paul that belongs in any serious library on the New Testament.‘ Prof Hennie Goede, Executive Dean: Faculty of Theology, North-West University ‘An Introduction to the Life and Letters of Paul by Markus Cromhout is a timely, properly researched, and accessibly written introduction to Paul‘s life and his letters. This volume has a solid academic basis, is educational in tenor and is well-illustrated. The 41 chapters are divided into 6 sections, arranged broadly according to Paul‘s journeys and movements - reminding of the importance of travel in his life - as captured in the Acts of the Apostles in particular. The accessibility and readability of the book is enhanced by maps, photographs, tables and illustrations as typically found in introductions of this kind. Explanatory boxes dealing with relevant topical issues such as ritual purity or the Pharisees, add further value and prevents the main text from becoming dense. The sensible use of font types and sizes assists the reader in focussing on the core aspects of the book. The bibliography and suggested readings provide ample resource materials and options for further study to those whose interest is peaked by the book. All in all, the book achieves the goals it set for itself, and Cromhout shows with this volume that he is not only an accomplished academic and author, but that he can present material otherwise often arcane and complex, in an erudite and user-friendly way. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone looking for an introduction to Paul‘s letters and life.‘ Jeremy Punt, Professor of New Testament, Faculty of Theology, Stellenbosch University