Although this book, “The First Paul” was published some twelve years ago, its thesis strikes me as very relevant to the theological controversies of today. Having differentiated the New Testament letters that most scholars agree were actually composed by the Apostle from those that, though not composed by him, are basically compatible with Paul’s perspective and then those composed much later that in some ways contradict the position of Paul, Episcopalian Marcus Borg and Catholic Dominic Crossan lay out what they consider to be the core concepts of Paul’s theology.

For me the most helpful chapters of this volume are those that those that describe the difference between the substitutionary atonement doctrine still attributed to Paul by most conservative Christians and what the authors nominate as the “participatory” understanding of atonement found in Paul’s authentic letters. This difference can be summarized by their description of the substitutionary perspective as one that sees the atonement as a vertical transaction between Jesus and his Heavenly Father. The “participatory” understanding that that the authors champion sees the atonement as a movement initiated by Jesus to be carried on by his followers that unites human beings by overcoming the various divisive forces that work in our world. Borg and Crossan also helpfully write about justification, the doctrine that was once but no longer is seen as the major cause of division between Protestants and Catholics.

I recommend this book as a good introduction for any individual or group that wishes to understand the theology that underlies the Pauline Letters of the New Testament. ( )

This book was a revelation to me. It felt like a vindication and an illumination. It is very scholarly in spots and full of grace in others. I would hope anyone who has any interest in Christianity would at least expose themselves to this analysis of one of its most important founders. ( )

Excellent exploration of the radical Christian vision of the author of the "Solid Seven." ( )

This short book has one message: that Paul's faith centered on a nonviolent God and required distributive justice. ( )

This book offers insight into the real, historical Paul. I think that too often Paul gets a bad rap - too often he is given credit for scriptures from letters that are likely not him. The real Paul is much more radical than most of us realize. Borg and Crossan point out that Paul has been tamed to fit into the very cultural conditions that he, like Jesus, calls us out of to enter into the Kingdom of God - the sacred community that is the body of Christ. I have always felt like both Borg and Crossan write well and this book is well written and flows very well. The historical work as well as the exegesis and the theological explorations are all very well done. Both of these men are impeccable scholars as well as men of faith who seek to help us explore a deeper resonance and relationship with the Lord. They offer both pros and cons to the ways we understand Paul and to the differing theories around his time in Rome and his ultimate demise. The book is well balanced, but does offer their personal theologies as they explore the person and character of Paul. It is a great read and though deals with theological, anthropological and historical concerns it doesn't read like a text book and should be easily digested by the lay reader with enough meat to sustain the interest of the theologian, minister or historian. I recommend it for any person of faith who is seeking to both learn and grow in their understanding of God, the Bible and the historical, radical Paul. ( )