Peter Oakes Book order

"Oakes and Boakye rethink Galatians by examining the text as a vision for the lives of its hearers. They show how, in tackling the difficulties that he faces in Galatia, Paul offers a vision of what the Galatians are in their relationship with the living Christ. This offers a new understanding of the concept of unity in diversity expressed in Gal 3:28. The authors develop their views over six chapters. First, Oakes maps a route from the letter to a focus on its Galatian hearers and on Paul's vision for their identity and existence. In the next chapter, Oakes uses the Christology of Galatians as a way to support the idea of pistis as current relationship with the living Christ. Boakye then offers three chapters analysing the letter's scriptural quotations and ideas about salvation and law. Boakye sees a key dynamic at work in Galatians as being a movement from death to life, as prophesied metaphorically by Ezekiel and as made literal for Paul in his encounter with the resurrected Christ, trust in whom becomes the route to life. Life becomes a key category for evaluating law. Boakye also draws Galatians close to Romans 4 in seeing in both texts the promise of the birth of Isaac, with Paul closely tying that to the resurrection of Jesus. Oakes then argues that the letter has a thematic concern for unity in diversity. In the first instance this is between Jews and gentiles but, in principle, it is between any other socially significant pair of groups"-- Provided by publisher

In this volume, respected New Testament scholar Peter Oakes offers a translation and reading of Galatians as presenting a gospel of unity in diversity in Christ. He shows that Paul treats the Galatians' possible abandonment of his gospel as putting at stake their fidelity to Christ. As with other volumes in the Paideia series, this volume is conversant with contemporary scholarship, draws on ancient backgrounds, and attends to the theological nature of the text. Students, pastors, and other readers will appreciate the historical, literary, and theological insight offered in this practical commentary.

Focusing on the daily life within a typical Roman apartment complex, the book utilizes demographic data and archaeological findings from Pompeii to create vivid profiles of its residents. By exploring their circumstances, the author invites readers to understand Paul's letter to the Romans in a fresh context, revealing how it may have resonated with his contemporaries. This unique approach combines historical insight with imaginative storytelling, offering a deeper appreciation of the social dynamics at play during Paul's time.

By integrating archaeology with biblical studies, this work offers readers an enriched perspective on Paul's letter to the Romans. It explores historical contexts and cultural insights that illuminate the text, enhancing comprehension of its themes and messages. The combination of these disciplines provides a unique lens through which to appreciate the complexities of the letter and its significance in early Christian thought.

The book explores the social dynamics of an early Christian community through a case study that models various social groups and their implications for interpreting biblical texts. It proposes that Philippians serves as a call for unity amidst economic hardship, particularly highlighting Philippians 2.6–11 as a reinforcement of this message within the Roman context of Philippi. The discussion includes archaeological and literary evidence, the impact of suffering on different social groups, and a comparison of Paul's portrayal of Christ with Roman imperial ideology.