Barnabas vs. Paul: To Encourage or Confront?

by C. K. Robertson

Publisher:

Abingdon Press

, 2015

Overview

Who were Barnabas and Paul? Was Paul an angry loner, misogynist, legalist, and curmudgeon, or hero and martyr? Through point and counterpoint, the author unravels Paul’s message by looking at his relationship with Barnabas. The result is a fresh portrait of the Paul we only think we know and Barnabas an otherwise unheralded apostle.

When the Church cannot condemn or kill a leader who upsets the status quo, it either canonizes the individual and controls his image (as with Paul) or pushes him off into relative obscurity (as with Barnabas). Paul and Barnabas started out as inseparable, close friends and colleagues until a conflict tore them apart. Barnabas of Cyprus faded into relative obscurity, while Paul of Tarsus became, apart from Jesus himself, the most influential figure in the history of Christianity and, arguably, the most maligned. By exploring their common journey, we can move beyond myths and assumptions. Theirs was a partnership that, quite literally, changed the world.

The book contains study questions for individual or group study.

Key Features

Contains study questions for individual or group study.

Examines Paul as a friend and colleague of another apostle, Barnabas.

Show how stereotypes prevent readers from understanding significant parts of the biblical text.

Gives a fresh understanding of Paul and his writings.

Readers will understand these important biblical figures in a new way.

Readers will gain greater clarity when reading the writings of Paul.

Readers will be better able to appropriate the Bible for their daily lives.

Product Details

• Title : Barnabas vs. Paul: To Encourage or Confront?
• Author: Robertson, C.K.
• Publisher: Abingdon Press
• Publication Date: 2015
• ISBN: 9781630882785

About C. K. Robertson

C. K. Robertson holds a doctorate in New Testament studies and serves as canon to the presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church. Author of many books and articles, he was previously canon for congregational development and stewardship in the Diocese of Arizona.