Jews, Gentiles, And The Opponents Of Paul [Hardcover]

B. J. Oropeza offers the most thorough examination in recent times on the subject of apostasy in the New Testament. The study examines each book of the New Testament with a fourfold approach that identifies the emerging Christian community in danger, the nature of apostasy that threatens the congregations, and the consequences of defection. Oropeza then compares the various perspectives of the communities in Christ in order to determine the ways in which they perceived apostasy and whether defectors could be restored. In this second volume of a three-volume set titled Apostasy in the New Testament Communities, Oropeza focuses on the Christ communities of the undisputed and disputed Pauline Letters. Professor B. J. Oropeza's three-volume work on perseverance and apostasy in the New Testament is certain to become the standard in the field for years to come . . . it is thoroughly exegetical, without attempting to promote established theological agendas. -Don Garlington, author of Studies in the New Perspective on Paul Professor Oropeza provides readers with a stimulating study of apostasy in early Christian communities. It is an important (and much neglected) topic and warrants a careful, detailed study. What I especially like about Oropeza's approach is his skillful integration of exegesis, biblical theology, and historical and social contexts . . . Readers will come across a number of interpretive gems. I found the discussion of Paul particularly insightful. - Craig A. Evans, Payzant Distinguished Professor of New Testament, Acadia Divinity College, Nova Scotia, Canada The present book offers a genuine contribution to Pauline studies, not only in its study and analysis of 'apostasy' as a socio-religious category addressed within the Pauline tradition but also in its overview of those whose ideas and practices were perceived as a very real threat to the salvific well-being of the churches. In critical interaction with a broad range of contemporary scholarshil#@