Paul and First-Century Letter Writing: Secretaries, Composition and Collection - Softcover

Richards Jr, E Randolph

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1844740668 ISBN 13: 9781844740666

Publisher: Apollos, 2005

Synopsis

In Paul's day, producing and delivering a letter was time-consuming and costly. Informed by historical evidence and features of the biblical texts, E. Randolph Richards examines the whole process and offers a new perspective on Paul the letter writer.

About this title

From the Back Cover

Traditional Christian art depicts Paul the letter writer,
pensive and pen in hand, attentive to the Spirit.

Contemporary students of Paul might imagine him pacing in agitation as he
rapidly dictates to a secretary his letter to the Galatians. But in reality
neither of these pictures is accurate. Randolph Richards gives us a truly
informed look at the letter-writing process in Paul's day and offers a new
and intriguing perspective on how this important portion of Christian
Scripture came to be.

"Amplifying his astute monograph, `The Secretary in the Letters of Paul'
(1991), Dr Richards offers here an insightful, well-organized and very
readable study of an important issue in New Testament research. He is at
his best in the discussion of secretaries and their tools in the ancient
world. While not all will agree with every viewpoint expressed, all can
profit from this important contribution to our discipline."
E. Earle Ellis, Research Professor of Theology Emeritus, Southwestern
Baptist Theological Seminary

"A comprehensive, impressive, insightful, informative and engaging account
of letter writing in the ancient world with primary emphasis on the
composition and collection of Paul's letters. Richards builds upon - but
expands - his earlier work . . . by including additional information about
the mechanics of writing letters . . . and the significance of pre-formed
material and interpolations for understanding issues of Pauline authorship
. . . It is a major contribution to the field bound to be read with profit
and treasured by teachers, pastors and students of the New Testament."
Arthur G. Patzia, Professor of New Testament, Fuller Northern California

"For those who want an over-the shoulder look into Paul's world, this is
the book. Richards guides the reader with a sure hand, sifting through a
wide array of ancient texts and artifacts to reconstruct an engaging
picture of Paul's letter writing. But there are bonus features: one also
learns about life in the city and marketplace, travel by land and sea,
customs at home, school and in the company of friends, and a host of other
topics. Rarely does a book this size offer so many insights, sometimes
challenging common opinion but always illuminating. This treasure trove,
written in readable style with eye-catching pages, will attract students of
Paul and Greco-Roman history again and again."
Bruce Corley, President and Professor of New Testament and Greek, B.H.
Carroll Theological Institute

Edition details

• Publisher: Apollos
• Publication date: 2005
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1844740668
• ISBN 13: 9781844740666
• Binding: Paperback