The Theology of the Later Pauline Letters

An accessible introduction to the chief themes and contem porary relevance of the Letters to Ephesus and Colossae.

Andrew T. Lincoln (Author), A. J. M. Wedderburn (Author)

9780521367219, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 3 June 1993

200 pages
21.6 x 13.8 x 1.3 cm, 0.238 kg

This volume investigates the respective theologies of the Letters to the Colossians and the Ephesians, and in so doing provides an accessible introduction to the themes and significance of these New Testament books. A. J. M. Wedderburn examines the background to Colossians, and considers both its readers' situation and that of its author. He asks whether the proponents of the teaching against which this letter is written were Christians, putting forward their views as the true form of Christianity (as in Galatia), or whether they existed outside the Christian community as a seductive alternative to it. Andrew T. Lincoln examines in turn the authorship of Ephesians, and tries to explain the letter's strategy of persuasion and the key elements of its teaching about the new identity of the Christian believer. The similarities and differences between the thought of Ephesians and that of Paul are thereby set out clearly. Both sections of the book reflect on the relevance of these letters for today.

Editor's preface
Note on citations
Part I. The Theology of Colossians: 1. The background of Colossians
2. The theology of Colossians
3. Colossians, the Pauline Corpus and the theology of the New Testament
4. The continuing influence of Colossians
Part II. The Theology of Ephesians: 5. Introduction
6. The background of the theology of Ephesians
7. The theology of Ephesians
8. The theology of Ephesians within the Pauline Corpus and the New Testament
9. Critical appropriation of the theology of Ephesians
Guide to further reading - Colossians
Guide to further reading - Ephesians
Index - Colossians
Index - Ephesians.

Subject Areas: Biblical studies & exegesis [HRCG]