Paul: Apostle to the Gentiles

And so we say farewell to FF Bruce. For this last post, I have decided to focus on a few chapters across the last half of the book. I have enjoyed reading Paul: Apostle of the Heart Set Free, and I would recommend it to any Christian (not afraid of a bit of mental exertion) who wants to delve deeper into the life and times of the historical Paul. Bruce brings together the Biblical accounts and the context from Ancient Historians, and he considers the scholarly hypotheses in a concise and clear way. You don’t need to read the whole thing right through. If you were preparing for Bible Studies on Galatians, or reading up for a sermon series on Romans, then here’s a useful book to get down off the shelf.

And so to chapters sixteen and seventeen. Bruce continues to follow Paul chronologically and he spends time with him in each of the places he visited. The Jerusalem conference had gone well. Paul’s gospel was recognized as the authentic gospel and his vocation was clearly to preach it to the Gentiles. Bruce tells us that it was, “probably impossible for one who concentrated on Gentile evangelisation to be at the same time an effective missionary to Jews.” Once Paul made contact with the God-fearers who attended the synagogue and they had embraced the gospel, he was inevitably no longer welcome in the synagogue. And so what about his own people? Paul could hope that in time the Jews would be jealous of the Gentiles availing themselves of God’s blessings and would, “assert their right to share in them.”

Paul’s success created a problem for the Jewish Christians. In chapter seventeen Bruce tells us that the demanding ethical standards of the church were seen to be in danger from the influx of morally lax Gentiles. Have you ever wondered why Peter stopped eating with Gentiles or why some Jewish Christians were so adamant about circumcision? Bruce clarifies the context and explains the probable reasons behind these wrong teachings and behaviours that could so undermine the gospel going out to the Gentiles.

I loved Bruce’s description of Paul’s time in Corinth in chapter twenty-three. He gives some fascinating historical context to the city and even goes into detail about the lives of Priscilla and Aquila. Have you ever wanted to know more about the teacher Apollos who had such devoted followers, who set themselves up as a rival personality cult to those who followed Paul?  Bruce outlines all the problems Paul wrote to the Corinthians about and shows his steadfast commitment to the gospel and his loving attitude in the face of every challenge.

In chapter thirty-one we see Paul in custody in Caesarea and I appreciated Bruce’s fascinating background on Felix, the governor responsible for investigating the complaints made against Paul. He explains why it was that Felix was removed and replaced by the less sympathetic Festus and so then why Paul was left in a position where he felt that his only option was to appeal to Caesar. The way Bruce takes the Biblical text and brings in the historical context from the Ancient historians is simply wonderful. Did Paul hope to make it to Rome and share the gospel with the Emperor himself? In chapter thirty-seven Bruce tackles the arguments and the traditions and outlines the most likely course of events at the end of Paul’s life.

Thank you, FF Bruce. I am not sure that I will remember everything that I loved reading in your book, but I know that you have challenged me to know Paul better and so therefore to want to know Christ better.

Paul: man of vision, man of action

Reading a five hundred page book on Paul is not something I usually do. I was beginning to suspect that becoming a mother might have caused parts of my brain to be subsumed by several tonnes of information about things like Panadol, swimming lessons, toddler crafts and Colin songs. But no! I am enjoying the mental exertion of engaging with this book. What I love about Bruce is that what could be a boring tome filled with trivial debates rooted in centuries of academic speculation is actually a really thought-provoking read, which is stimulating and even really enjoyable. I press on towards the prize! (I might have to take a break and read a few novels over the Summer holidays, though.)

Chapter thirteen goes back to take up the chronological look at the events of Paul’s life that we left off at the end of chapter ten. Here we see Paul returning to the Greek world with a clear vision that he is to preach the gospel to the Gentiles. But it is not a Greek version of the Gospel. It is the “proclamation of deliverance and life through Christ crucified” that was in such contrast to Hellenistic values and was therefore seen by many as foolish. But Jewish missionaries had been there before Paul and there were many Gentile converts to Judaism and God-fearers throughout the provinces who were already receptive to what Paul was going to tell them.

And then Paul goes to Antioch. In chapter fourteen Bruce goes into a lot of discussion about whether or not Paul (who had a lot of ‘mystical’ encounters with Jesus) could be called a ‘Mystic’. He sums up his arguments by stating that while Paul’s dramatic conversion was the result of a ‘visionary’ experience, that he himself saw this as no different from the appearances of Jesus to the other apostles. The success of his mission was not needed as proof of the validity of his experience because his calling by Jesus stood alone as confirmation of his apostolic claim. He wasn’t a mystic with a “mystical theology”, but rather saw himself as “a figure of eschatological significance, a key agent in the progress of salvation history, a chosen instrument in the Lord’s hands”. He was “a man of vision” and also “a man of action”.

As he looks at the church leaders in Antioch, Bruce again delivers that fascinating historical context that makes the Bible come alive. In Acts 13:1 Manean, “sometime companion of Herod the Tetrach”, is one of the leaders mentioned. There are a few possibilities as to what that might have meant, but Bruce points out that Luke, another leader of the church, therefore had access to a former associate of Herod Antipas who could have provided him with “some of his special information about the Herods and their entourage.” This is another fascinating Bruce moment, where he brings together the names, places and specific cultural contexts of the Bible, and presents them clearly.

I am not sure that reading this book cover to cover is everybody’s idea of summer reading, or before bedtime reading, or even on-the-train reading. But I think that a little bit of mental exertion every now and then is very worthwhile. Thank you, FF Bruce.

Encountering the Exalted Christ

Well, FF Bruce, you have continued to enlighten me and to challenge me to develop a deeper understanding of the Apostle Paul. Chapters six to twelve take us from the point of Jesus’ incarnation, and its significance according to Jesus, up to Paul’s understanding of the exalted Christ and how that impacted his life. Bruce continues to provide the relevant historical context that makes the events of Paul’s life, and of the early church, come alive.

What were the Jews expecting the Messiah to be like? Bruce tells us that the Jews had expectations of deliverance from the Romans by a King in the line of David. However, he makes it clear that Jesus did not see this as the most significant aspect of himself. He rather emphasised the arrival of the Kingdom of God. See page 57 for yet more FF Bruce gold as he lists the various rulers and those in power - Herod Antipas, Pontius Pilate, Annas the Sadducee, and the "tradition of the elders" – and states that “The message of Jesus was so radical that it challenged all those authorities at once.” Bruce is building up a strong picture of the reasons behind Paul’s zealous persecution of the early church.

How did the Pharisees and Sadducees react to the early Christian movement? And why did Paul become such a zealous persecutor of the Church? In chapters seven and eight we see that some were alarmed, others were tolerant and still others were happy to join in. But the "blasphemy" of Stephen, and his trial and execution signal the beginning of a campaign of persecution that Paul embraces with "uncompromising rigour". Paul simply could not accept that a crucified man could be the Messiah. Bruce explains the fascinating historical background to Paul’s journey to Damascus with the intention of apprehending fugitive Christians.

And then Paul becomes a Christian. How did Paul come to be accepted by those he once persecuted? And what did Peter tell him? In the next chapters there’s lots of discussion about what Paul knew by revelation and what he must have been told by Peter and James. What did Paul know of the "Historical Jesus", the man who lived and walked upon the earth as opposed to the risen Christ who appeared to Paul? Now I’m not saying that chapter ten and parts of chapter eleven and chapter twelve were boring. I was very tired and I am sure that it would be very interesting to those looking into the question of Paul’s "direct and profound personal acquaintance with the exalted Christ". But I did not find it as easy to engage with these chapters. It often felt a bit dry and rested a great deal on the examination of phrases and titles. No disrespect, FF Bruce. There were bits I liked, but I found myself skipping over a few bits. But don’t worry. I am still an enthusiastic member of the FF Bruce fan club and I am keen to continue unearthing his gems. The way he brings together history and the Bible makes for a rewarding read and a deeper understanding of this intelligent, flawed, determined and God-reliant man.

December Classic, F.F. Bruce's 'Paul: Apostle of the Heart Set Free'

“Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there the heart is set free” 2 Corinthians 3:17

When your friend asks you to read 500 pages on Paul and write about it, you could be forgiven for feeling a little daunted. I have to admit that I usually find it easier to devour a novel than a serious (and seriously long) Christian book. But I was very pleasantly surprised. I am enjoying reading Paul: Apostle of the Heart Set Free, and I can’t wait until I have time to pick it up again and see what insights Bruce has for me.

In the introduction Bruce explains that he is writing to “share with others something of the rich reward” that he himself has reaped from his study of Paul.  Among the characteristics of Paul that he lists to demonstrate why it is indeed so rewarding is “the attractive warmth of his personality”. I was a little taken aback at first. That’s not exactly how I think of Paul. I don’t think I usually see him as a warm person. But then I don’t think that I have ever really taken the time to think enough about Paul as a person, what he achieved, what he really sacrificed and how remarkable he was. The rich reward that I have reaped in my reading of Bruce so far is a better understanding of the historical context that Paul was born into. For me that is tremendously beneficial in thinking about who Paul was and so then listening to what he had to say with a more receptive heart.

Chapters 1 and 2 outline the rise of the Roman Empire and how the Jews came to be under Roman rule at the time of the New Testament. Bruce clearly and succinctly explains how it came to pass that Jesus and also Paul were born and lived under the authority of Rome. He explains why despite being allowed by Rome to administer their own religious establishment, many Jews took issue with Roman rule, particularly with double taxation and the lack of empathy of the wealthy Sanhedrin. I am enjoying this book so much because the clear explanation of the historical context of the events that are recorded in the Bible deepens my understanding of the people Jesus and Paul were talking to. I can more clearly see why there was a longing for a political messiah who would get rid of the Romans, and understand Jesus’ criticisms of the religious leaders. And I had long wondered about the History of Jewish dispersion. This is not dry or boring history because it fleshes out the details and makes the Bible come alive.

In the next three chapters Bruce goes on to outline Paul’s personal background. He deals with the city of Tarsus, Roman citizenship and answers the question “What kind of Pharisee was Paul?” And he really won me over when he quoted from one of my favourite Shakespeare plays Antony and Cleopatra. Antony and Cleopatra’s celebrated meeting was in Tarsus.

This is an engaging and well-written book that is deepening my understanding of the world that Jesus and Paul lived in, and therefore deepening my longing to listen to them and to live with a heart that has been set free.

About our contributor:

Rachael Collins is a Jane Austen fan who often finds it amusing that she is married to Mr Collins who is indeed  a minister. She is an English/ History teacher who has taken a break from teaching in order to devote more time to reading children's literature. Her three children are the happy beneficiaries of this decision. Rachael enjoys gardening, drinking tea, baking without sugar and sorting her wardrobe according to colour.  She loves reading novels and biographies, but when asked by a very old friend to tackle a 500 page Christian classic, she was wildly enthusiastic and only mildly daunted.