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In later centuries Paul became a target of ridicule for writers such as Thomas Jefferson ("the first corruptor"), George Bernard Shaw ("a monstrous imposition"), and Nietzsche ("the Dysangelist"). However, as Garry Wills argues eloquently in this masterly analysis, what Paul meant was not something contrary to what Jesus meant. Rather, the best way to know Jesus is to discover Paul.
Unlike the Gospel writers, who carefully shaped their narratives many decades after Jesus’ life, Paul wrote in the heat of the moment, managing controversy, and sometimes contradicting himself, but at the same time offering the best reflection of those early times.
What Paul Meant is a stellar interpretation of Paul’s writing, examining his tremendous influence on the first explosion of Christian belief and chronicling the controversy surrounding Paul through the centuries. Wills’s many readers and those interested in the Christian tradition will warmly welcome this penetrating discussion of perhaps the most fascinating church father.
Wills builds on the popularity of his bestseller What Jesus Meantin this audio version of his newest book. The apostle Paul's teachings have caused controversy almost from the minute he penned the letters to the first-century churches he helped found. His influence on church history and doctrine is incontrovertible, but his words have often provoked anger and dissension. Wills, who writes from the Catholic tradition, carefully reveals Paul's meaning by taking listeners back to the teaching of Jesus Christ to prove that Paul's words didn't contradict, but in fact explain and expound on Christ's. Wills's precise diction and preacherlike narration add to the listening experience. He sometimes moves too quickly between chapters and sections—listeners need a bit more time to adjust—and he occasionally reads quickly as well. But haste aside, listeners can't help appreciating Wills's voice, his scholarship and his conclusions. Simultaneous release with the Viking hardcover (Reviews, Sept. 11). (Dec.)
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After graduating from Xavier, Wills was hired to work as the drama critic for National Review magazine, where he became a close personal friend and protégé of founding editor William F. Buckley. But as the winds of change blew across the 1960s, Wills got caught up in the cross-currents. A staunch Catholic anti-Communist in his youth, he began to drift away from political conservatism, galvanized by the civil rights movement and the Vietnam debate. He parted ways with National Review and began writing for more liberal-leaning publications like Esquire and the New York Review of Books, a defection that left him slightly estranged from Buckley for many years. (They reconciled before Buckley's death in 2008.)
In 1961, while he was still in grad school, Wills's first book, Chesterton: Man and Mask was published. [It was revised and reissued in 2001 with a new author's introduction.] Since then, the prolific Wills has gone on to pen critically acclaimed nonfiction that roams across history, politics, and religion. He expanded one of his Esquire articles into Nixon Agonistes (1970), a probing profile John Leonard said "...reads like a combination of H. L. Mencken, John Locke and Albert Camus." (The book landed Wills on the famous Nixon's Enemies List.) He has also written penetrating studies of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Wayne, and Saint Paul; he has won two National Book Critics Circle Awards; and his 1992 book Lincoln at Gettysburg: The Words That Remade America was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction.
Something of a rara avis, Wills is a Catholic intellectual who has produced thoughtful, scholarly books on religion in America. His translations of St. Augustine have received glowing reviews, and he has acted both as an outspoken critic of the Church (Papal Sin) and as an ardent advocate for his own faith Why I Am a Catholic). Proof of his accessibility can be found in the fact that several of his religion books have become bestsellers.
Anonymous
Posted March 10, 2007
How's this? Paul was the first of the writers, not the Gospels, but Paul himself. He didn't borrow from the Gospels because they weren't written yet and his accounts are the closest we have to Jesus's life of all the material in the New Testament. Wills takes the seven books that are definitely written by Paul and analyzes what Paul meant. The book is fascinating and anyone with an interest in New Testament history and theology will enjoy reading it. Frank Scoblete: author of Golden Touch Dice Control Revolution! and Golden Touch Blackjack Revolution!
7 out of 7 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.YoyoMitch
Posted May 1, 2009
The Apostle Paul has been named as one of the 10 most influential thinkers of history. His writings have survived 2000 years of scrutiny, multiple interpretations and have influenced the leaders of reformations of the Church (Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Wesley, to name but three). These same writings have been used to support: Slavery, Male domination, misongyny, anti-Semitism, absurd dress codes and a host of ludicrous issues that he had no idea of given the culture and context of the age when he was penning majority of the Biblical New Testament. (Dr. Willis indicates, and supports, there being only seven letters in the New Testament which are authentically Pauline in origin.) It is because of these misleading interpretations that this Student had arrived at a place of distaste for this Saintly, early church leader. Actually, it was an idea that this small, but powerful, book would support his disdain (and it was in the sale bin at one of my dealer's) that this uneducated pupil purchased this book. I was wrong about the purpose of the book and am a better: Christ-follower, Biblically educated and have a renewed friendship with Paul after reading this volume.
Dr. Willis has a Curriculum Vitae that is astounding (Ph.D. in the classics, Greek Professor at Johns Hopkins, Professor of History Emeritus at Northwestern University) but his passion and respect for the scripture is what gives this book about the Apostle Paul its authenticity. Dr. Willis has no agenda in writing this work beyond seeking to clarify what the title indicates, what did Paul mean in his writings? For those of us who have had the opportunity to formally study religion, it is doubtful we had anyone as qualified or as well researched into Paul's writings as is Dr. Willis. He reminds (or instructs) the reader that Paul's writings are dated the earliest in the New Testament and are therefore to be seen as having a large influence over the other writings contained therein. He uses the nine chapters to address the different issues causing the most confusion in the reading of Paul's writings. The most astounding for me was the discussion Dr. Willis has of the ongoing conflict Paul had with the early church leaders in Jerusalem and the contradiction Luke's account of Paul's life and activities had from Paul's account of his life and actions.
This is a book filled with Scripture. Having been written by a Greek Professor, one can expect the interpretation of the various New Testament passages to be commonly unfamiliar. Dr. Willis changes nothing about what the scripture says, he only translates the Greek more closely to what was probably said. He is respectful to the Scripture, as reflected in his frequent references thereto and in the passion with which he "allows" Paul to speak. He understands Paul as an "emissary" of "the revelation (that God has arrived to redeem all humanity)" and all of his writings were directed toward getting that message to the entire world. To achieve this goal, he was called upon to address the conflicts present in those gatherings around the known world of which he was involved. After reading this book, I found the comfort of knowing that Church people have been fighting each other since approximately day one of the second month after the Ascension.
This book confirmed for me, yet again, of the need for me to "let the Scripture say what it says, not what I want (or have been necessarily taught) it to say.
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.neiatze
Posted April 6, 2009
This author told me things about the apostle Paul that I had never noticed before. Most books I've read about Paul portray him in a negative light, but Garry Wills will let you see Paul in a light comparable to how Luke portrays Jesus. Paul, in What Paul Meant, is seen as a friend and spokesperson for Jesus.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Mr Willis sheds much needed light on St. Paul. In reading this book you will learn much about Paul the person. Why he was what he was. And some of the "mystery" about Paul is explained to better understand him. And Paul' teachings are given historical background and explanation to allow us to grasp a better understand of Paul.
Anyone who wants to better understand Paul needs to read this book. It is written for everyone, Catholics and Protestants.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted February 17, 2009
As a Christian, I wouldn't recommend this book. It is to confusing and it makes the bible look like a big fat lie. I was so offended by this book that I couldn't read the entire thing. I choose to believe that Luke was not lying about his accounts of Paul but was stating what he perceived. It could be the enemy keeping me from finishing this book but unless God tells me to continue, I will not. As a matter of fact, I'm throwing it away.
1 out of 10 people found this review helpful.
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Posted June 5, 2010
I Also Recommend:
Yes, according to the NYT review, I quote "By argument or by implication, he manages to reject the legitimacy and authority not only of the papacy and the rest of the Catholic hierarchy but also of the early church councils, the church fathers and even, in many instances, the Gospels themselves."
So not only has Mr. Wills rejected the Gospels (hence the Words of Christ Himself) and the early church fathers who actually learned and were ordained, by the Apostles themselves, to supposedly bring us the true meaning of the teachings of Jesus.
I guess we now have a new messiah in Mr. Wills since we do not need to actually know what Jesus himself said/did or His appointed successors taught. We have Mr. Wills to thank for reaching back in time and telling us what Jesus really meant.
I have some ocean front property right in the heart of Oklahoma for sale too. Cheap and if you buy now, I'll throw in the Brooklyn Bridge.
Wake up people! Snake oil salesman alert. He tickles your ears and tells you what you want to hear. That's not what Christ came to do nor what He Himself said He would do.
Try reading the Bible for yourself with a good commentary (I'd recommend the Navarre Bible Commentary if you truly want to know what the texts mean).
This stuff is only good for filling in when you are out of TP.
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Overview
All through history, Christians have debated Paul’s influence on the church. Though revered, Paul has also been a stone on which many stumble. Apocryphal writings by Peter and James charge Paul, in the second century, with being a tool of Satan.In later centuries Paul became a target of ridicule for writers such as Thomas Jefferson ("the first corruptor"), George Bernard Shaw ("a monstrous imposition"), and Nietzsche ("the Dysangelist"). However, as Garry Wills argues eloquently in this masterly analysis, what Paul meant was not something contrary to what Jesus meant. Rather, the best way to know Jesus is to discover Paul.
Unlike the Gospel writers, who...