Description: The author describes educational methods, educational ideals and literary education in the Hellenistic period based on an analysis of ancient ideas and concepts of teachers, pupils and students. Paul's education is discussed against this wide background and in view of his ancestry. Analyses of his letters (especially 1 Cor. 7 and 2 Cor. 10-13) prove Paul had great compositional skills, so it must be assumed that he had literary and rhetorical training.
Description: This collection of twelve essays will celebrate the distinguished contribution of Professor John Kenneth Riches to biblical interpretation. The international selection of contributors are all either former students or colleagues of Professor Riches and the focus of the essays all reflect (and extend) Professor Riches' particular research interests and contribution to biblical and theological studies. The essays in this volume are clustered around two closely related topics: historical and theological contributions to understanding the nature of Christian freedom and agency, and studies which investigate how Paul's thought has been interpreted in diverse settings.All the contributors have been asked to centre their thinking around the following issues: how does the grace of being 'in Christ' transform and restore those who receive it in faith; how far they are, as it were, responsible for that transformation; how far their is identity changed by their union with Christ; and how are they to make ethical decisions, are they to be guided (and goaded?) by the law, or are to be led by the Spirit and called to discern what is right and good in the law?
Description: An introductory overview of Paul's letters to the Galatians and Romans that integrates the influence of this apostle’s personality and history. Can be used as a companion text to the Paulist Bible Study Program.
