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Pauline Theology as a Way of Life A Vision of Human Flourishing in Christ Joshua W. Jipp Paul is known as a theologian, and indeed his writings yield rich theological insights. But Paul was foremost a missionary and a pastor who wrote to real people and churches. In this fresh approach to Pauline theology, Joshua Jipp brings Paul’s pastoral concerns to the fore, specifically his concern for human flourishing in his congregations. Jipp argues that Paul’s writings are best understood as invitations to a particular way of life, one that is oriented toward the supreme good of experiencing life in God through participation in Christ. For Paul, Christ epito- mizes the good life and enables others to live it. While analyzing Paul’s thought through this lens of well-being and flourishing, Jipp introduces conversation partners as points of comparison and contrast. He interacts with ancient philosophy and modern positive psychology, both of which also address “the good life.” This important and substantial contribution to Pauline studies covers issues such as transcendence, suffering and death, rela- tionships, pursuit of Christian virtue, and moral agency. It will be a valuable resource for all students of Paul. “In this informed and wide-ranging study, Jipp puts Paul’s Letters in conversation with both ancient philosophy and contemporary positive psychology. The result is an energetic invitation to read Paul’s theology as nothing less than ‘a way of life.’” —BEVERLY ROBERTS GAVENTA, Princeton Theological Seminary (emerita) “A masterful interdisciplinary exploration of Paul’s theology as a way of life. Highly recommended!” —CHRISTIAN B. MILLER, Wake Forest University “Jipp argues not only that Paul has something to say about how to live in our world today but also that the apostle offers a powerful vision for human flourishing in our contemporary world.” —LISA M. BOWENS, Princeton Theological Seminary “Brilliantly conceived and masterfully executed. A fresh and fascinating contribution to Pauline studies that can profitably be read by all students of the human condition.” —LUKE TIMOTHY JOHNSON, Emory University (emeritus) “Jipp is that rare combination of a prolific and thoughtful scholar, and this newest addition to his body of work shows learning and conceptual refinement. It is also a reframing of Paul in ways that are important to consider and also, as it turns out, existentially rich, pastorally relevant, and quietly inspiring.” —C. KAVIN ROWE, Duke Divinity School
JULY 2023 • 288 pp. • cloth • $37.99 • 9781540965721
Joshua W. Jipp (PhD, Emory University) is associate professor of New Testament and director of the Carl F. H. Henry Center for Theological Understanding at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He is the author of several important books, including Christ Is King: Paul’s Royal Ideology , Saved by Faith and Hospitality , and The Messi- anic Theology of the New Testament . Jipp is also a series coeditor for the Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament.
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