A Pauline Theology of Church Leadership (Library of New Testament Studies): v. 362 - Hardcover

Andrew D. Clarke

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0567045609 ISBN 13: 9780567045607

Publisher: T & T Clark International, 2007

Synopsis

May 2003 is the 300th anniversary of the birth of John Wesley. This is a beautifully written biography intended for a general audience. While not at all hagiographical, the book leads one to admire Wesley immensely. He traveled throughout the British Isles more than anyone in history. Reviled early on during his plein air evangelical crusades, he became deeply loved in old age by all sectors of the population. While the book has a slightly British cast to it (which is unavoidable given the extent of Wesley's travels throughout Britain), it gives adequate coverage to his period in the American colonies.

About this title

Review

Review in International Review of Biblical Studies, vol. 54:2007/08

German review in Theologische Literaturzeitung, 2009

"A fascinating new monograph [in which] he addresses the impact of Paul's views on leadership within the parameters of the early Christian communities that he planted, as well as the impact thereof on Paul's ecclesiology." Library of New Testament Studies, October 2008

Reviewed by John Drane, Theological Book Review Vol.20 No.2 2008

"This study extends Clarke's previous work on leadership in the early church...This is a far more wide-ranging study, and assesses the whole Pauline corpus to address the issue of the way Paul's understandings of leadership's impact on his conceptions of ecclesiology. This work reflects the mature thought of a scholar who has wrestled with questions of Pauline leadership throughout his academic and pastoral career and readers wil benefit from the insights offered" Expository Times Vol.119 No.10 July 2008

'In this fascinating new monograph Andrew Clarke addresses the impact of Paul's view on leadership within the parameters of the early Christian communities that he planted, as well as the impact thereof on Paul's ecclesiology' Stephan Joubert, University of Pretoria, South Africa

RBL 10/2008 --Sanford Lakoff "Review of Biblical Literature "

"Clarke's theological analysis of Pauline leadership is recommended for anybody interested in the topic ... A Pauline Theology of Church Leadership fills an important gap in contemporary scholarship by collating the fundamental teachings of Paul on an important ecclesiologial theme ... Clarke's compilation of Pauline leadership principles is an excellent contribution in many ways. His awareness of significant tensions within both the Pauline literature and contemporary scholarship deeply informs his theological queries. Moreover, Clarke's expertise in NT social history surfaces throughout as he illuminates many details pertaining to the original context of Paul's letters. Finally, Clarke's analyses of concepts such as power, rhetoric and imitation demonstrate his attentiveness to the inner workings of the apostle, which have previously been overlooked in shallower theologies ... Clarke has produced an erudite and thought-provoking volume which will be a tremendous resource for any scholar, pastor, or student interested in this topic." John K. Goodrich, European Journal of Theology, XVII 2008--Sanford Lakoff "European Journal Of Theology "

"This work makes a positive contribution in the area of Pauline ecclesiology. Clarke presents a nuanced work that takes into consideration much of the literature written from a critical perspective on Paul and his churches. He also bases his views upon a historical reconstruction that takes into account the relevant data from Paul's letters as well as current information gained by historical and sociological studies." Benjamin L. Merkle, Baptist Theological Seminary, Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society--Sanford Lakoff "Journal Of Evangelical Theological Society "

"expert, wide ranging and judicious" Journal for the Study of the New Testament Booklist 2009--Sanford Lakoff "Journal for the Study of the New Testament "

Synopsis

Andrew Clarke has explored in an earlier work, "Serve the Community of the Church" (Eerdmans, 2000), the distinctive, local and historical situations in the various Pauline communities and concluded that there is no evidence that they organised themselves according to a common set of governmental structures which clearly developed with the passage of time. Rather each community was influenced by its own localized, social and cultural context. The present project builds on this, and necessarily focuses on leadership style rather than church order. The study focuses particularly on Paul's attitude towards hierarchy, egalitarianism, authority, responsibility and privilege.

About this edition

• Publisher: T & T Clark International
• Publication date: 2007
• ISBN 10: 0567045609
• ISBN 13: 9780567045607
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 221