Overview
Paul Among Jews by Wenxi Zhang
Description:
This book challenges a popular and influential thesis in Lukan scholarship presented by the Tübingen School: Paul is a rival of Peter and Paul is an anti-Jewish apostle. Consequently, he is solely an apostle to Gentiles in Acts.
Through a narrative-critical method, Wenxi Zhang studies Paul's inaugural speech in Antioch of Pisidia and its literary function in relation to Paul's missionary activity among Jews in Acts. He concludes (1) that this inaugural sermon functions as an interpretative key to understand the narrative of Paul's missionary activity among his fellow Jews; and (2) that Paul is not anti-Jewish. He remains a faithful Jew who proclaims to his fellow Jews the fulfillment of God's promise to David in Jesus' resurrection. Consequently, Acts is not anti-Jewish document.
Endorsements:
""This insightful narrative-critical analysis of Paul's inaugural sermon in the synagogue of Antioch in Pisidia not only deftly illustrates its often unrecognized central importance within Luke-Acts, but helpfully contributes to a correction of any misguided notions that Paul was anti-Jewish. Highly recommended for all scholars of Luke-Acts and of Paul.""
-John Paul Heil
The Catholic University of America
""Wenxi Zhang's study, Paul Among Jews, opens a new way for us to view Paul in Acts. His work shows that Luke portrays Paul as a great missionary to his own people, the Jews, as well as to Gentiles.""
-Frank J. Matera
The Catholic University of America
""As the apostle to the Gentiles, Paul is often characterized as anti-Jewish. In this seminal narrative-critical analysis of the model sermon of Paul in Pisidian Antioch composed by the author of Acts, Wenxi Zhang shows how Paul emphasized the Jewish concept of the resurrection of the Davidic Messiah. Although Paul announces that he will turn to the Gentiles, he continues to go first to preach in Jewish synagogues as a missionary to the Jews among the Gentiles.""
-Francis T. Gignac, SJ
The Catholic University of America
About the Contributor(s):
Wenxi Zhang (PhD, Catholic University of America) is Academic Dean at Hebei Catholic Major Seminary in Shijiazhuang, Director of the Faith Institute for Cultural Studies, and an editor of the Lectio Divina Chinese Bible translation.
