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Paul and the Giants of Philosophy: Reading the Apostle in Greco-Roman Context Paperback – October 15, 2019

by Joseph R. Dodson (Editor, Foreword), David E. Briones (Editor, Foreword), John M. G. Barclay (Editor, Foreword)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 42 ratings
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Biblical Foundations Award Finalist

What forces shaped the intellectual world of the apostle Paul? How familiar was he with the great philosophers of his age, and to what extent was he influenced by them? When he quoted Greco-Roman sources, what was his aim?

Pauline scholars wrestle with such questions in journal articles and technical monographs, but now Paul and the Giants of Philosophy brings the conversation into the college classroom and the church. Each essay addresses Paul's interaction with Greco-Roman philosophical thinking on a particular topic, such as faith, slavery, gift-giving, and the afterlife. And each chapter includes discussion questions and reading lists to help readers engage the material further. Dodson and Briones have gathered contributors with diverse views from various traditions who are united in the desire to make Paul's engagement with ancient philosophy accessible to many readers.

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  1. Print length
    200 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    IVP Academic
  4. Publication date
    October 15, 2019
  5. Dimensions
    6 x 0.52 x 9 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    083085228X
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0830852284
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

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"We do not know how far Paul's education extended into direct literary engagement with the giants of Greek and early Roman philosophy, but that is not the point. The conversations created here do not presuppose that Paul had read Aristotle, Cicero, Epictetus, or Seneca: comparison can work very well without a genetic link. The purpose of these essays is not to prove that Paul knew this or that philosophical idea (though it is certainly possible that he did). Their purpose, rather, is to put Paul into dialogue with other people in his cultural context who thought just as deeply about many of the topics that mattered greatly to him. When we put him alongside others who thought about the same topics and who came out with sometimes similar and sometimes startlingly different conclusions, we get a better grasp of what shapes Paul's thought and why his mind works as it does. Just as we clarify our own ideas and understand our own assumptions better when we argue them through with someone else, so putting Paul into discussion with a variety of conversation partners helps bring to the surface things we had never realized before. If you are anything like me, you will find here a lot of new insights on Paul that would never have occurred to you had you not seen Paul in this comparative perspective. Numerous times when reading these essays I have found myself thinking, 'I had never thought of that,' or 'I had never seen it that way before.' Prepare to be surprised and intrigued, and from those reactions I hope you will be led to think more clearly, more deeply, and with greater comprehension about that incessant conversationalist Paul, whose letters keep inviting us across the centuries to respond to his provocative chatter." -- From the foreword by John M. G. Barclay, author of Paul and the Gift

"We all know that Paul ranks among the philosophical giants of the ancient world, but now, thanks to Joey Dodson and David Briones, we can finally see why. This series of essays by world-class scholars shows how Paul fits in with the intellectual heavyweights of antiquity on topics like faith, hope, suffering, ethics, letter writing, grace, and slavery. We see how Paul is both similar to and different from Greco-Roman luminaries and understand how Paul's thought meshes with and challenges norms of the ancient world. This is a terrific study of a neglected area of Pauline studies." -- Michael F. Bird, academic dean and lecturer in theology, Ridley College, Melbourne

"Readers of Paul know well both the difficulty and the importance of interpreting Paul's letters within his cultural context. And this context is one that is marked by beliefs, convictions, and practices that often differ from our own. This fine set of essays provides a service to readers of Paul as it sets forth all kinds of interesting comparative data from Hellenistic and Roman philosophy for interpreting Paul's letters. By comparing Paul with the great philosophers of his age, the reader is able to gain further clarity regarding Paul's understanding of friendship, gift giving, slavery, suffering, the afterlife, and more. Each essay, furthermore, is easily digestible and provides opportunities for further study and research." -- Joshua W. Jipp, associate professor of New Testament, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

"Evenhanded and engaging, the authors paint a colorful picture of ancient philosophical discussions and Paul's interaction with these debates. The chapters offer down-to-earth explanations of key philosophers' moral thought and highlight the impact that Paul's gospel message had on ancient themes such as the afterlife, friendship, and suffering. This handy resource should be on every pastor's shelf." -- Lynn H. Cohick, provost/dean of Denver Seminary

Review

"Evenhanded and engaging, the authors paint a colorful picture of ancient philosophical discussions and Paul's interaction with these debates. The chapters offer down-to-earth explanations of key philosophers' moral thought and highlight the impact that Paul's gospel message had on ancient themes such as the afterlife, friendship, and suffering. This handy resource should be on every pastor's shelf."

-- Lynn H. Cohick, provost/dean of Denver Seminary

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ IVP Academic (October 15, 2019)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 200 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 083085228X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0830852284
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 10.2 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.52 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 42 ratings

About the author

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Joseph R. Dodson

Joseph R. Dodson

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Joseph R. Dodson is associate professor of New Testament at Denver Seminary in Denver, CO. He completed his PhD under the supervision of Dr. Simon Gathercole at the University of Aberdeen, Scotland and also studied under Prof. Dr. H. Lichtenberger at the University of Tübingen, Germany. Joseph has also written a number of articles for peer-review journals (such as CBQ, NovT, and JJS) as well as essays in various volumes such as Paul and the Apocalyptic Imagination (Fortress Press, 2016); and Reading Romans in Context (Zondervan, 2015). He is the author The 'Powers' of Personification: Rhetorical Purpose in the 'Book of Wisdom' and the Letter to the Romans (BZNW, 2008); the editor of Paul and the Second Century: The Legacy of Paul's Life, Letters, and Teaching with Michael F. Bird (LNTS, 2011); as well as Paul and Seneca in Dialogue with David E. Briones (Brill, 2017).

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
42 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

G
5.0 out of 5 stars Great bridge from The Academy to the Bible Scholar
Reviewed in the United States on May 8, 2024
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For those with a background knowledge of both Philosophy and Bible Scholarship this book is a slam dunk conversation starter to bridge the chasm between them—even inside ourselves!

If you have a background in Philosophy but not Paul, this is a also a great introduction to considering the New Testament as a legitimate read. It offers an academic side of Paul you might not see preached in a sermon or discussed in a Bible study.

Paul has just as strong opinion about the Good Life as Plato, as developed an opinion of friendship as Aristotle, and surprisingly similar belief on conquering personal vice to Seneca. Paul should not be pushed out of conversation just because his Philosophy points to Jesus Christ.

Now... for those with a Bible background but without any knowledge in the Academy of Philosophy/Logic? I would say this is not where you should start. You can absolutely still enjoy it and glean good from it but I would argue you are looking at the book from the wrong direction. You are learning about the Philosophers from scholars that appear to mostly specialize in Paul. The argument of the book is focused more on affirming Paul's academic excellence as a worthy Philosopher, not explaining ancient Philosophy.

For Philosophy Novices: If you enjoy a light, fun read to prime your brain pump I highly recommend - The Journey: A Spiritual Roadmap for Modern Pilgrims by Peter Kreeft. I have taught from it to groups as young as 12-13 with great success. It is both accessible and a good speed-run into Philosophy.
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Fiddy
5.0 out of 5 stars Useful, insightful, and Inviting
Reviewed in the United States on August 26, 2020
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This book is so well done - readable, useful, and inviting.

Written with concise chapters/essays designed to capture your attention, this book is great for anyone. You will get several introductions to various views that, when compared with the Apostle Paul, make you feel like you are listening to an interview with the philosopher giving a crash course on a facet of life. Each essay finishes with a useful side-by-side chart and a bibliography so that you can further explore what interests you.

Our culture doesn't exist in a vacuum. It has been especially interesting to me to see where people's beliefs come from, and then to have an insightful description of how Paul compares. Not only to the ancients, but also our neighbors. I would love to see more books like this one.
One person found this helpful
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Eddie LaRow
4.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating. A must-read.
Reviewed in the United States on June 30, 2023
If you're fascinated by the intricate relationship between Paul's theology and ancient philosophy, this book is a must-read. Each essay takes us through the rich tapestry of Paul's [indirect] interaction with the Greco-Roman philosophical giants.

The contributors—an international cast of diverse scholars—skillfully explore and compare the ideas of (but not limited to):

-Socrates
-Plato
-Aristotle
-Cicero
-Seneca
-Epictetus

They present their influence on the first-century Greco-Roman society that shaped Paul's world. Unlike the common misconception that Paul's encounters with philosophers were purely confrontational, this book reveals the nuanced nature of his engagement (e.g., slavery in Paul's letter to Philemon and the writings of Seneca).

Through meticulous research and compelling analysis, the contributors trace the lines and levels of Paul's dialogue with these philosophical thinkers, shedding light on the dynamic interplay between their teachings and the gospel of Jesus Christ. They paint a vivid picture of a world where philosophy was not confined to ivory towers but permeated everyday life.

My one critique was the brevity of engagement. Multiple essays would have been better served if they had been expanded with linguistic engagement.

By delving into the philosophical backdrop, this book deepens our understanding of Scripture, Paul's theology, and the historical context in which he ministered. Whether you are a seminary or undergraduate student, an interested layperson, or an academic, this book provides valuable insights. It sparks a desire for further exploration of an important and burgeoning topic.
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Sean Dickard
5.0 out of 5 stars Intriguing and Accessible
Reviewed in the United States on October 28, 2019
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This book is an accessible introduction to a vast and complicated field of study. Each contributor offers a brief, clear, and intriguing comparison and contrast between Paul and these philosophical giants. Both the chapters and the resources at the end of each make further study possible and desireable. This is an awesome resource for those looking to get acquainted with this field of study but might be too intimidated to dive into the primary sources themselves. It's definitely worth the time of anyone who wants to know more about the cognitive environment of the New Testament.
7 people found this helpful
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Watson
5.0 out of 5 stars Great scholarship made accessible
Reviewed in the United States on November 21, 2019
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Dodson and Briones have compiled a wonderful collection of essays written by top-notch scholars to help readers of all levels of experience better understand the world in which the Apostle Paul was living and writing. The scholarship in this collection is solid, and each essay provides a helpful comparison and contrast of Paul and the giants of the Graeco-Roman philosophical world. Both casual readers and scholars will benefit from the insights contained in this volume. I'm happy I made this purchase, and I look forward to future works from these editors and contributors.
2 people found this helpful
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Hunter
5.0 out of 5 stars Insightful and Important
Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2021
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I hold very few criticisms of this book. In a volume this slim, what these writers accomplished in the scope, detail, practicality, refinement and integration of their study is truly remarkable and on par with––and more approachable (and intriguing)––than what even some academic conferences might hope to produce in their book publications. I've already bought copies for friends and family members.
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Aubry Smith
5.0 out of 5 stars Really fascinating comparative studies of Paul and the great philosophers!
Reviewed in the United States on April 14, 2021
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Fascinating and well-written comparison between Paul’s writings and the ancient Greco-Roman philosophers. I appreciate the contributors’ focus on the contexts of each of these ancient writers and how even using the same word does not indicate same meaning. Really nuanced and helpful text.
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Top reviews from other countries

Andrew
3.0 out of 5 stars A mixed bag, aimed at Christians
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 21, 2023
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As others have pointed out, the quality of the articles varies greatly and this variation is a result of different degrees of balance, and apprehension of the Greek Philosophers.

Ultimately, this work is aimed at Christians, and this is very glaring in a few of the chapters, where the authors clearly are much more familiar with Paul than with the Philosophers he is compared to. As a result, things are viewed from a Pauline/Christian perspective and the views of the Philosophers aren't given a fair shake, and Paul easily "wins" the unfair comparison.

It comes across as Christian rhetoric more than a scholarly work at times. With that said, some of the chapters are very good and enjoyable to read.

This book would be good for a Christian who wants to an introduction to the Greco-Roman context and to hear argumentation with a Christian slant that accepts Christian presuppositions unquestioningly. I see how it could be useful for developing preaching/apology skills.

I bought this work thinking it would be neutral, my mistake for not researching the authors more. However, I rate it three stars as the book does serve a purpose, just not the one I wanted it to.
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Daniel Supimpa
3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting, but with Articles of Uneven Quality
Reviewed in Brazil on January 15, 2021
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3.5/5

I had high expectations towards this book, but it was uneven in the quality and thoughtfulness of the articles. In my humble opinion, the best articles where the ones by the editors and the one by Gupta. I was particularly interested in the comparison between Paul and other philosophers on the possibilities and meaning of friendship. Still, it’s a good entryway into a flourishing field in Pauline studies: the distinctions of the early Christian thought and Greco-Roman thinkers.
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