Book Reviews: Thinking Through Paul

Thinking Through Paul by Bruce W. Longenecker & Todd D. Still (Zondervan)

Two Waco-based New Testament scholars have written a valuable introduction to the life, letters and theology of the Apostle Paul. Bruce Longenecker from Baylor University’s religion department and Todd Still from Truett Theological Seminary provide a thorough, even-handed examination of Paul’s ministry and his continuing influence on Christianity.

In exploring the details of Paul’s life and missionary activity, the writers give greatest weight to the letters he wrote, but unlike some critics, they do not casually dismiss Luke’s narrative in the New Testament book of Acts. Longenecker and Still give due consideration to questions modern scholars have raised about the Pauline authorship of some letters that bear his name, particularly 2 Thessalonians, Colossians, Ephesians and the Pastoral Epistles. While they generally offer a defense of Pauline authorship—particularly of Colossians—they also give a fair hearing to dissenting views. Even when authorship of a few epistles is left open to question, they defend their canonicity and value as inspired Scripture.

It’s hard to find many shortcomings in Thinking Through Paul. One personal minor disappointment was the authors’ omission of any explanation regarding Paul’s “thorn in the flesh,” either in the biographical section about Paul’s life or the detailed analysis of his letters to the Corinthian church. No doubt, readers could have benefitted from their insights on that matter.

Longenecker and Still not only provide readers the opportunity to think about Paul, but also help them understand how to think “through Paul”—examine key New Testament concepts like grace, faith and redemption through a Pauline lens. While the lavishly illustrated volume is intended as a textbook, it would be a shame if only students enrolled in a university religion class benefit from it. This important book deserves a larger audience.

Ken Camp, managing editor

Baptist Standard

Secrets to Surrender: Living Wholeheartedly by Debby Akerman (New Hope)

Debbie Akerman shares Secrets to Surrender through Bible characters, historical examples and contemporary Christians. She skillfully blends illustrations from the local church, word pictures from world missions and solid research with a sound biblical foundation as she urges the reader to live wholeheartedly for God. However, what sets Secrets to Surrender apart are the thought-provoking, heart-touching stories and testimonies.

The missions leader and nurse begins with a personal example of becoming convicted by the word “wholeheartedly” in Numbers 14:24. In that passage, God commends Caleb for following him with his whole heart. 

She divides the book into three sections that expound on the necessity of surrender, sacrifice and service. Each chapter begins with Scripture, contains specific examples, and closes with applications that make it appropriate for individual or group study. The volume offers concrete advice and practical principles such as the necessity of viewing the world from the top down, bottom up, side to side and inside out as Christ did. Using the illustration of heart surgery, she demonstrates how worship opens hearts and thankfulness keeps hearts undivided.

Akerman, president of national Woman’s Missionary Union, concludes with the “Final Wholehearted Words” of Baptist leaders such as Annie Armstrong and Alma Hunt and leaders from the Bible such as Samuel and Paul. She powerfully challenges the reader: “We each have only one life to offer Jesus our Lord and King. What will our final words be?”

Kathy Robinson Hillman, first vice president

Baptist General Convention of Texas

Waco