Paul: The Mind of the Apostle Paperback – Illustrated, April 17, 1998

A. N. WILSON :wiki quote: In the late 1980s, he publicly stated that he was an atheist and published a pamphlet Against Religion in the Chatto & Windus CounterBlasts series; however, religious and ecclesiological themes continue to inform his work. For nearly 30 years he continued to be both a sceptic, and a prominent atheist.In April 2009, he published an article in the Daily Mail affirming his rediscovery of faith, and conversion to Christianity, attacking at the same time both academic and media atheists. (WIKI)In 1997 he published "Paul, the Mind of the Apostle"; approaching Paul as "biographer".Review : pp. 1-127 :WILSON: BIOGRAPHY AS THEOLOGY:Any serious student of theology would be interested in this exposition by Wilson. Written during his atheist-period, it takes on an interesting atmosphere. But; regardless of his stance at the time; one cannot help but interject "theology" in the midst of objective biography when it comes to the emerging first look at this movement that became known as Christianity.Personally, I found the manuscript to be a treasure and I rate it as "excellent", especially as a supplement for anyone doing an in-depth study of the book of Acts. It becomes "essential" in that regard.Wilson begins with a triad for "Paul's Jerusalem". This triad consists of: 1. The temple-of-Herod", 2. Ebionite Christianity, and 3. The "Galmaliel-Synagogue-School". This triad preps the reader for the next triad that begins to gel the various streams of thought into a theological/mythical whole. The second and more-definitive triad consists of: 1. Conversion: and the writing of a "MUTHOS-ALETHIA" (truth-thru-myth), 2. The wilderness years of travel in order to sort out the significance of the experience on the road to Damascus (including a 3-part practice of: MUSTERION-PERIPATEO-SUDZETEOS; interpretation of the sensate-vision experience; wanderings to define life; and "debate" which he had been trained for. And then finally 3. The benefit of "spiritual-division" between Jerusalem and Antioch-Syria.By organizing his thought-picture for us, Wilson has provided us with "essential" material for any serious study of Paul, or Luke, or Acts in general.I strongly recommend you pick up a copy of this superb study. 5 stars, of course.WRAPPING THINGS UP: pp. 127-180 :Wilson presents the historical-Paul in pages 1-127, as reviewed above. The only thing left is to articulate the emergence of his "new-mind" theology which gets articulated to the Ephesian Elders, during Paul's departure. That means the ministry to the "Athens /Corinth metroplex" becomes the concentrated site for theological-emergence.The positive aspect of a spiritual division between the Ebionites and the Hellenists results in a determined and original theological effort on the part of Paul in Athens, and then in Corinth. In Athens, Paul develops his DIKAIOSUNE-doctrine; which is not obtainable as a "techne", but only through Jesus Christ who embodies "Diakaiosune" righteousness.In Corinth, Paul couples together the "Agape-Meal" with the "Mithra-Sacramental-Feast" & the understanding of the "sacrificial-nature" of Christ's crucifixion; in order to record the first emergence of the Eucharist-rite as taking place in Corinth, not Jerusalem.That gives us the Historical-Paul, the Doctrinal-Paul, and the Ritual-Paul. The only thing left is the "unfinished narrative of "what happened?"" how does it end?" We are not given the answer. The book wraps-up at page 180.5 stars for certain, a wealth of information in these 180 pages.

See above . Highly recommended .

LIKE NEW CONDITION

Wilson truly explains the man and his mission.First by selling tents, then becoming a young rabbi, and finally selling the world's most popular religion.A Greek Jew who did not get along well with Christ's 12 other jews, but sure was a hit in the Greek empire,up to and including Constantine.This is one of the best biographies I have ever read about a truly amazing man.

The first impression about a book such as this is that is going to be a little difficult and somewhat boring to read it. But the truth is the total opposite: Mr Wilson have made a very interesting book, trying not to be bias in his presentation and with a delightful background of history. If you want to know more about the history of the bible, the foundations of Christianity and the biography of Paul, read this book and Make your own opinion!

This book is the very best Sunday School class on Christianity I have ever had the privilege of reading. I have bought 2 copies and have recommended it and given it to several people. Without Paul the Apostle we would have no Christianity. READ IT!!! lYN

I'm going to be nice and give it four stars, because it does include a lot of information and I did learn something new. A.N. Wilson is very knowledgeable about the era, the Roman gods, the belief systems of the time, and the situation in Israel.Unfortunately, A.N. Wilson goes to great lengths to convince the readers that Paul was a wonderful man and a religious genius, and that everyone who believes that Paul was a self-serving trouble maker must have misunderstood the Bible. Oh well. We weren't there, we will never know the truth. But the "proof" in the book is weak and lacks credibility.What makes the book difficult to read, is that it is not laid out logically. The content jumps from speaking about Paul or Jesus or the other apostles, to going into depths about the history of the Roman Empire (hundreds of years BC) or how the church has developed after his death. Many sentences are also long and winding and difficult to read.

A.N. Wilson, whom I consider to be a great writer, has written a blasphemous, heretical account of Paul the Apostle. He seems to want painstakingly and without evidence, in many cases, to point out what he sees as mistakes in the New Testament and other historical accounts of both Paul and the life of Jesus. Of course, one does not have to be a Christian to write a historical account of a religious figure but to call into question the plain teaching of the gospel in the New Testament. It shows a man who is almost entirely secular in his thinking with little evidence of a speck of faith. Disappointing.

A Great read. Highly recommended

Bought as a present . Was in good condition. Recipient loved it

An eye-opener and full of majestic scholarship, though not all will be convinced by this idiosyncratic view of the apostle.

AN Wilson, as always erudite and engaging.

The rating was chosen because of the subject, plus the author is renowned for excellent prose, well worth reading., try it.