Contending with Paul: The Hidden Story Behind the Writing of Matthew, Mark, and Luke (The Contending With Paul Series) Paperback – May 10, 2024

Contending with Paul is a brilliant look, mainly into the authors of the 3 synoptic Gospels - Mark, Matthew and Luke. It goes in detail into the motivations, thoughts, and editorial decisions made by them. The book deconstructs and elegantly explains why the authors chose to write another gospel, given the existence of one (Mark) and basing most their material upon it. It was (loosely) based on ecclesiastical differences as to the nature of Jesus, his teachings, and whether to follow the Jewish customs of the day. The book also further delves into other books of the New Testament such as Acts, letters and Revelation to explain the variation in teaching of the early Church.The language of the book is neutral, and simply presents its thesis about the writings of the early Church that began around 70 CE. It offers a comprehensive psychological insight into the minds of the early writers while admitting to assumptions made. Chiefly it attests to the influence of the apostle Paul that still exists to this day.

One word. Unbiased! As a christian and also a history loving geek, I appreciate this book so much. I loved it so much that I think now I will dive into the rest of the series. I like this books unique perspective on the scriptures. This fresh take is exactly what I was looking for. This book has enabled me to think critically about the gospels. However, I wish it would engage with opposing viewpoints more to give an even more unbiased viewpoint. Other than that, I recommend it.

This is a difficult book to classify, but that is high compliment. It begins as something of a biography of Paul, but then grows more theological as the differences are shown between his belief that the Mosaic Law had been abolished by the work of Jesus, and those who believed the Law was still alive and necessary, even for converts to Christianity who were non-Jewish. The first section closes showing Paul's influence on the Christian writers who would come after him, meaning the book is also a work of Christian history.As the book transitions to the Gospel of Mark a very convincing case is made that the first gospel is highly influenced by Paul's thought and even vocabulary. When Matthew writes next, he can be seen using Mark as a source, but overwriting the sections that disagree with his view that the Law is still valid. Luke is the last to arrive on the scene and will have his own statements to make. (The Gospel of John is not covered in the book because it is written later and is not intertextually connected in the same way as the first three "synoptic" gospels are.)Four sections of the book will present information you have likely never noticed:* The section solely on Paul in the first 51 pages.* Chapter Four, which shows many of Matthew's edits as he incorporated Mark into his own gospel. (Seeing what Matthew includes and rejects presents and interesting profile of him as a writer.)* Chapter Seven: Did Matthew Attach Paul Directly? (This is only presented as a possibility, but the evidence stacks up.)* Chapter Ten: Did Luke Deny Paul's Apostleship? (You will never look at the Book of Acts the same.)Scholarly in its research, yet accessible for the layperson in its presentation. Read it with a New Testament near. It really is all in there!

This is a new topic to me. I am not a biblical scholar by any stretch of the imagination, but I am interested in pursuing more learning on it. I found the author's writing to be easily readable, and his knowledge is vast. I learned an incredible amount about the gospels, which I have found difficult in the past. I appreciated the focus on the historical context as opposed to a lesson on religion. Highly recommend!

This book is a very insightful read for me. One of the things I really enjoyed about it is how it introduces these well-known names in a way that makes them feel more real, instead of just being distant historical figures. You get to see how their interactions played a role in shaping the early church. Overall, it’s a interesting read that brings a new appreciation for the individuals behind the scriptures. If you're curious about the early days of Christianity and the people who helped lay its foundation, this book is definitely worth checking out.

The book presents an intriguing take on the relationship between Paul and the Gospel writers, exploring the possible tensions and differing theological perspectives in early Christianity. The book offers an alternative view of biblical history, which may challenge traditional interpretations and encourage readers to think critically about the formation of the New Testament.One of the book’s strongest aspects is its depth of research and engagement with historical and theological scholarship. The author raises compelling questions and provides detailed arguments that make the reader reconsider long-held assumptions about Paul’s influence on early Christianity. The writing is engaging and presents complex ideas in a way that is accessible to both scholars and lay readers interested in biblical studies.While the book presents a fascinating perspective, it sometimes leans too heavily on speculative interpretations without offering enough counterpoints from mainstream scholarship. A more balanced approach—acknowledging and engaging with opposing views more thoroughly—would add credibility and make the argument stronger. Additionally, clearer organization and summaries at the end of key sections could help readers process the wealth of information more effectively.Contending with Paul is an insightful and thought-provoking read for those interested in exploring alternative perspectives on early Christian history. While it presents an engaging narrative, a more balanced discussion of competing viewpoints and additional structural refinements could make it a more compelling and well-rounded resource. Best suited for readers open to re-examining traditional biblical narratives.