Comments on: 3 Paul Books: Which One Would You Choose?

By: James Pate

James Pate — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 20:33:14 +0000

I vote for the Murphy O’Connor book. Why? Because that’s the only one I’ve heard of. I may have even read parts of it!

By: Mike S.

Mike S. — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 04:57:04 +0000

Sampley.

Granted that’s the only one I read so far… but it’s full of many essays with good interaction with primary sources. I also liked the way they set up the format of the essays (interacting with relevant material then exploring its use in Paul).

By: Brandon W

Brandon W — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 02:59:14 +0000

I would choose either O’Connor or Schnelle if only for the fact that reviewing a monograph well might be easier than reviewing a collection of disparate essays. I’ll also add that I have Sampley and like it for what it is. But all three are notable books and so you can’t go wrong.

By: Nijay Gupta

Nijay Gupta — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 02:31:40 +0000

I agree with Mike. I have the Sampley book and I cite it all the time; great essays, many from eminent scholars.

By: Mike Aubrey

Mike Aubrey — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 02:08:09 +0000

I voted for: Paul in the Greco-Roman World: a Handbook by J. Paul Sampley and let me tell you why.

Personally, I’m just as interested in Schnelle’s book as Sampley, but if we’re talking about receiving a *review copy,* then the more expensive book (and thus less likely to be purchased on one’s own) is always the better option.