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What Paul Meant Audiobook
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(3.02) - 291 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Throughout history, Christians have debated Paul’s influence in the church. Though revered, Paul has also been controversial—apocryphal writings by Peter and James charge Paul with being a tool of Satan. In later centuries, Paul was scorned by such writers as Thomas Jefferson, George Bernard Shaw, and Nietzsche.
In this masterly analysis, Pulitzer Prize–winning author Garry Wills chronicles Paul’s tremendous influence on the first explosion of Christian belief, the controversy surrounding Paul through the centuries, and the meaning of his words. He argues eloquently that what Paul meant was not contrary to what Jesus meant—rather, the best way to know Jesus is to discover Paul. Unlike the Gospel writers, who carefully shaped their narratives many decades after Jesus’ life, Paul wrote in the heat of the moment, offering the best reflection of those early times.
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"Paul is such an enigma...I love to read about him. This book is a fascinating look at Paul and addresses the questions about attitude towards women and towards Jews. Wills is an ardent admirer of Paul, so the book tends to be a bit hagiographic, but nevertheless it is a remarkable look at this ultimate Christian evangelist."
— Jan (4 out of 5 stars)
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“[Wills] is simply the most astute Catholic writer in America today.”
— Boston Globe -
“Wills’ precise diction and preacherlike narration add to the listening experience…listeners can’t help appreciating Wills’ voice, his scholarship and his conclusions.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“Wills hones in on what is at stake in complex arguments, makes the issues clear, and presents a compelling case for reading Paul with historical attentiveness.”
— Library Journal -
“Dazzlingly enlightening.”
— Booklist
What Paul Meant Listener Reviews
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" I learned that I wanted to read 'What Jesus Meant' first. And I learned that Catholic theologians - or at least this one - seem quite at ease dismissing as non authentic vast past of what we know as Paul's writing. "
— Sue, 2/1/2014 -
" Wills is a real advocate for Paul. I am listening to this book on tape and have learned quite a bit of early church history. "
— Mark, 1/3/2014 -
" kind of terrible! disappointing. one-dimensional, lackluster defense against widespread critiques of Paul (which are difficult to oppose, but come on!). "
— Jeremy, 12/17/2013 -
" A really interesting exposition of what one of the most prolific and controversial Biblical authors actually meant. The book is very informative, but Wills tends to make his point very repetitive. "
— Melinda, 10/29/2013 -
" Amazing book which helped me better understand this man and his writings! "
— Jim, 10/10/2013 -
" excellent writing. answers many questions. smart man on smart topic. "
— Maggie, 5/28/2013 -
" This book sparked an interest in me about the Bible, and how its many authors (some acknowledged, some not) each with his own different political viewpoint, went about spreading Jesus' teachings. I have little to compare it to, but it was definitely absorbing. "
— Brad, 5/6/2013 -
" wish there were more sources/was more academic... "
— Justme, 3/29/2012 -
" This wasn't about what I was led to believe it was about, so I had a hard time getting through it. Obviously, since it sat on my currently reading list for over a year. "
— Stina, 2/26/2012 -
" Explores some of the misnomers of Paul and his letters. I was especially interested in and learned from the part about Paul and women. I thought Wills did a great job explaining how women actually had full and equal teaching roles in the early church and how we have misinterpreted some of his words. "
— Stephanie, 6/25/2011 -
" Not revolutionary, but very useful in presenting an alternate paradigm for how to view some of the most problematic parts of the New Testament. "
— Natalie, 5/2/2010 -
" Sifts through the BS around Paul. Sets the record straight as it can be set. "
— Ron, 1/12/2010 -
" gift from my sister Judy <br/> <br/>great book "
— Erika, 1/5/2010 -
" excellent writing. answers many questions. smart man on smart topic. "
— Maggie, 7/5/2009 -
" A really interesting exposition of what one of the most prolific and controversial Biblical authors actually meant. The book is very informative, but Wills tends to make his point very repetitive. "
— Melinda, 6/14/2009 -
" wish there were more sources/was more academic... "
— Justme, 1/29/2009 -
" Wills is a real advocate for Paul. I am listening to this book on tape and have learned quite a bit of early church history. "
— Mark, 9/15/2008 -
" This book sparked an interest in me about the Bible, and how its many authors (some acknowledged, some not) each with his own different political viewpoint, went about spreading Jesus' teachings. I have little to compare it to, but it was definitely absorbing. "
— Brad, 3/14/2008 -
" kind of terrible! disappointing. one-dimensional, lackluster defense against widespread critiques of Paul (which are difficult to oppose, but come on!). "
— Jeremy, 12/15/2007
About Garry Wills
Garry Wills is a historian and the author of the New York Times bestsellers What Jesus Meant, Papal Sin, Why I Am a Catholic, and Why Priests?, among others. A frequent contributor to the New York Review of Books and other publications, Wills is a Pulitzer Prize winner and a professor emeritus at Northwestern University. He lives in Evanston, Illinois.