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The Apostle Paul  By  cover art

The Apostle Paul

By: Luke Timothy Johnson, The Great Courses
Narrated by: Luke Timothy Johnson
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Publisher's summary

Coming to grips with Christianity means coming to grips with Paul. There is no figure aside from Jesus himself who is more important to the history of this world religion, and no figure from the age of the early church about whom we know more or of whom we have a more rounded view.

Historian Luke Timothy Johnson, the best-selling author of The Real Jesus, offers a fresh and historically grounded assessment of the life and letters of Christianity's "apostle to the Gentiles" in this 12-lecture series.

"One of the most fascinating, important, and controversial figures in the religious history of the West, Paul the Apostle continues to find champions and detractors, sometimes in surprising places," says Professor Johnson.

This course addresses many questions concerning Paul's embattled life and work:

  • Is Paul the inventor of Christianity or part of a larger movement?
  • Is he best understood from the Acts of the Apostles or from his letters?
  • Why does he focus on the moral character of the community?
  • How do his supporters and detractors depict him?

You consider his letters to the Thessalonians, Corinthians, and Galatians. You explore his religious commitments as a member of the Pharisaic movement, his persecution of the Christian sect, the dramatic experience that changed him into an apostle, and his work as a missionary and church founder.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2001 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2001 The Great Courses

What listeners say about The Apostle Paul

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Anti God, Anti Bible, Anti Christian, Anti Paul.

I can't believe this guy gets paid to teach this nonsense. I was looking for facts not liberal politics. This item should be listed as fiction.

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19 people found this helpful

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Paul as The Money Grubbing Traveling Evangelist.

What would have made The Apostle Paul better?

The author managed to tease out a negative interpretation of scripture.

What was most disappointing about The Great Courses and Luke Timothy Johnson ’s story?

The assertion that Paul's only interest in writing the epistles was to dupe his readers into raising money for him.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

It was interesting.

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16 people found this helpful

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Good overview of Paul and his works.

What made the experience of listening to The Apostle Paul the most enjoyable?

There is plenty of content here for someone without prior reading or lectures on Paul. The lectures revealed a large amount about him as a man which has helped me feel closer and understand where he is coming from in his writings. This made the experience worthwhile and enjoyable for me.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Apostle Paul?

When it really sunk in that Paul truly did expect Jesus Christ to return in his lifetime. It's obvious in his letters that he believed this but it never really clicked until I could visualize him better as a once living, breathing man and less as a slightly vague character in writings from 2000 years ago.

Have you listened to any of Professor Luke Timothy Johnson’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This was the first course that I have listened to from Professor Johnson. His performance was overall enjoyable to listen to. I have heard more energetic and charismatic presenters in The Great Courses lectures but I would not hesitate to buy another course taught by Mr. Johnson.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Not necessarily a moment but all of the insight into Paul as a man. Even someone that was so important to the spread of Christianity didn't have all of the answers and had his own personal struggles. The way he is presented here just helps bring him to life whereas in the New Testament people can seem more like characters in a story rather than individuals that lived, breathed, loved, and mourned.

Any additional comments?

Professor Johnson holds a different view on the commonly held scholary belief that most of Paul's writings were actually not his at all. His reasoning behind attributing all of these writings to Paul allow for me to believe without just blind faith and accepting church tradition that Paul truly did write the letters or in some instances gave his approval on letters written by people under him therefore taking responsibility for the content. This, he believes, is the reason for variations in writings styles found in the different letters. He also points out that the letters were never intended by him to be church doctrine by being included in a bible, so he would have been slightly less careful in making sure that all letters complimented one another seamlessly. Not to mention his personal ups and downs over the years and the fact that the audiences of the letters had very different cultures from one another all affected the different styles and wording of his writings. All in all, these lectures gave me peace of mind in accepting his traditionally accepted writings as truly being his, whether he personally penned them or not.

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14 people found this helpful

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Awful

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

Don't bother with this - the author does no justice to Paul and does not seem to understand Paul at all. His obviously atheistic view point comes through.

What could The Great Courses and Luke Timothy Johnson have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

He should not have written it.

Would you be willing to try another one of Professor Luke Timothy Johnson’s performances?

No

What character would you cut from The Apostle Paul?

The author

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11 people found this helpful

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Atheists point of view on Paul

If you want to understand how a Christian can fall so far from faith and then try and persuade others to follow then this esteemed author, professor, and atheist is for you!
Always consider the sources and understand from what viewpoint the writer is coming from...

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9 people found this helpful

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Outstanding and Concise

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Absolutely, a very objective and insightful survey of a significant historical figure.

What did you like best about this story?

Since Paul's letters do not provide an obvious narrative, it was interesting to see how the lecturer approached the subject and the various themes he distilled out.

What does Professor Luke Timothy Johnson bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

His cadence and inflection added a lot of meaning to what would come off as very dry and abstract on the page. Like the letters themselves, meant to be spoken and not read!

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7 people found this helpful

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Luke Timothy Johnson is da best!

I listened to a number of Great Courses on Christianity, and I always get the most out of Luke Johnson's. I was hesitant to spend a credit on a 6 hour course, but it was well worth it. I learned much I didn't know about Paul and learned much context.

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A Revealing History And Study Of Paul

What made the experience of listening to The Apostle Paul the most enjoyable?

Professor Johnsons detailed and enthusiastic presentation has raised the curtain for me on the Bible. I feel like all those many and dis-jointed verses I have studied over my life have been synthesized into a context I never truley understood. His suggestion to ListeN to The Acts and Paul will allow better understading I can say is the best advise i have had. With each of his lectures I was able, through Audibe, to have access to Gregory Pecks narration on the new testament with the only version of the Bible I trust - The King James. By listening to the lectures and Mr, Peck is of tremendous value for me. I feel I have found the lucky dime.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

"Peter And Paul"

Any additional comments?

It was a privilege to stand as a student in this classroom and listen to a man whose intellectual capacity and eagerness too teach is as evident as my long, gray hair and worn-out shoes. Thanks Prof!.. I'm anxious to listen to the next lecture.

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Don't bother with this

If you are a Christian don't bother with this book. The author obvioulsy thinks lowly of christianity as a faith and people that believe it.

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this professor is a disingenuous Christian if he c

I could not imagine wasting the time it took to put this pointless course together. this is a person who likes religion as a hobby or even a profession but not as a means to understanding God. if you believe in the inerrancy of the Bible don't waste your time with this. it's for scoffers and fools.

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