Great Themes of Paul

Life as Participation

By: Richard Rohr

Narrated by: Richard Rohr

Length: 10 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's summary

In language that Paul might use if he were preaching and writing today, Rohr presents Paul’s all-embracing vision and invites us to enter into the mystery of Christ and be transformed. Rohr breaks new ground by applying up-to-date theories of our universe, integrating them with Paul’s revolutionary thinking about sin, saints and spirituality.

Deep and complex, Paul may seem to be full of inconsistencies: arrogant but also humble, a fervent believer but a probing, critical thinker, a mystic but also a missionary community builder. Rohr admits the difficulties in understanding the short excerpts of Paul’s letters read at Sunday Mass. He analyzes the letters and explains the great themes. He challenges our usual understandings and invites us to imitate Paul and enter into the mystery in organic solidarity with the Risen Christ. Rohr sees us as partaking in the incredible transformation of the whole cosmos that struggles with the pattern of descent and ascent that is revealed and affirmed in Jesus.

©2002 Richard Rohr, O.F.M. (P)2002 St. Anthony Messenger Press

Charismatic presentation, but no supporting notes

Richard Rohr delivers a great presentation with style. He has researched the topic and clearly spent a lot of time with his topic. Unfortunately Audible did not include the academic notes frequently referred to in the talks so the talks are reduced to just talks - entertaining but lacking academic depth.

Life Changing!!

I am always taken to new places when I encounter the writings of Richard Rohr and this experience was no exception! I now have a greater and more appreciative understanding of the Apostle Paul.

Explains Paul's ideas very well.

Where does Great Themes of Paul rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Top tier.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The narrator because he does a great job presenting Paul's mind

What does Richard Rohr bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The personal enthusiasm and care taken to ensure that Paul is not misinterpreted.

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

Yes. The intelligent explanation of sin, based on Paul's teaching: that sin, is not an act that provokes God's punishment but rather an action that does not acknowledge reality, and ultimately just does not work out.

Any additional comments?

Richard Rohr's presentation of Paul is remarkable. After hearing this book: I appreciated Paul's message (that the world is a church), I learned that Paul was not one of the 12 apostles, that Paul traveled to Corinth and that he spoke Greek and Hebrew. I did have some difficulty with the concept of Jesus and the author's occasional reference to the inappropriateness of worrying about tomorrow. Finally, it's amazing to hear that Paul believed that we are all basically gods, except that we s*#@t. Richard Rohr provides a religious explanation of a church saint for intelligent people.

A Must read

A must read. It's one of those books that you don't want it to end.. Thank you.

Thank you!

This is a gift that keeps on giving. Spoken thoughtfully, with passion, and even a bit of humor, these Themes are for Life and are timeless. Cheers!

Transforming

I own many of Fr. Robert's books and audio books.All are opening my life to Life. This audio book is the one I listen to almost daily.As a woman it's almost a given that I felt St.Paul had contradicted some of Christ's teaching on love- look who were Jesus closest friends.It is through Fr. Rohr's spiritual fire-must be akin to Paul himself that after 40 years I have returned home to the Catholic Church.Former Sister of Divine Providence.Thank you Father for your insight, courage and zeal!

I will never be the same.

.Jesus is personal to me now. It all makes perfect sense now. I recommend to to anyone in search of God's purpose for all of us.

Loved the informality of his engagement

I’m a Lutheran, and listened intently to the good priest’s series here. Whereas he didn’t do a full, expected “admonition” Bible study, he looked at Paul’s ministry through various prisms: who was Paul? How did he come to have the authority with which he wrote? Who are we Gentiles to whom Paul, a born Jew, writes? How can we read the Pauline epistles for greater understanding and relatable impact?
I found this series a little different from what I was expecting, but I altogether enjoyed it, and will likely listen again. Fr. Rohr offers a wonderful easy and comfortable environment in which to learn.

Who was Paul

Another beacon to illuminate my path to a deeper faith and understanding of the Christain life.

Excellent!

An excellent explanation of Paul and his work. Unfortunately we as the church continually read him out of his context and time.