More happened in the period between Jesus and Paul, Professor Hengel argues, than in the whole of the next seven centuries, up to the time when the doctrine of the early church was completed. Certainly these decades are crucial to our understanding of the development of earliest Christianity. However, they are very much a ÒtunnelÓ period, and there is little to shed light on it. This volume does something to pierce the darkness. Among other issues, it considers the origins of the Christian mission, the role of the Hellenists, the reliability of Luke as a geographer when he is dealing with events in Palestine in the Acts of the Apostles, and the development of christological belief, particularly in Christian worship. Those familiar with Professor Hengel's work will know that they will find here a wealth of valuable insight based on painstaking examination of all available sources.

Draws on St. Paul's letters and other early sources to reveal the apostles' sharply competing ideas about the significance of Jesus and his teachings while demonstrating how St. Paul independently shaped Christianity as it is known today.

The six essays in this volume consider the relationship between Jesus and Paul from diverse angles, bringing fresh insights into an area of study that has long lain dormant. Written by established scholars, Jesus and Paul Reconnected explores historical congruity between Christ and his apostle and examines potential connections in their thought, relationships, and practices. Topics considered include the grace of God, treatment of the poor, law and gospel, Peter's connection between the two, the Last Supper, and the death of Christ. Todd Still brings these superb scholars together in hopes of encouraging further conversation and contributing to this growing area of New Testament research. The result is a new and stimulating exploration of these two extraordinary figures of the faith. Contributors: John M. G. Barclay Markus Bockmuehl Beverly Roberts Gaventa Bruce W. Longenecker Francis Watson Stephen Westerholm

Acts is the sequel to Luke's gospel and tells the story of Jesus's followers during the 30 years after his death. It describes how the 12 apostles, formerly Jesus's disciples, spread the message of Christianity throughout the Mediterranean against a background of persecution. With an introduction by P.D. James

At the 2010 Wheaton Theology Conference, leading New Testament scholar N. T. Wright and nine other prominent biblical scholars and theologians gathered to consider Wright's prolific body of work. Compiled from their presentations, this volume includes Tom Wright's two main addresses, one on the state of scholarship regarding Jesus and the other on the state of scholarship regarding the apostle Paul. The other nine essays critically interact with these two major themes of Wright's works. Much appreciation is shown, overviews are given, perspective is provided and some pointed questions are also raised. Together these essays represent the best of critical yet charitable dialogue among serious and rigorous scholars on theological themes vital to Christian faith that will propel New Testament scholarship for the next decade to come. With essays by Jeremy Begbie Markus Bockmuehl Richard B. Hays Edith M. Humphrey Sylvia Keesmaat and Brian Walsh Nicholas Perrin Marianne Meye Thompson Kevin J. Vanhoozer

Drawing upon ten years of research experience, the master scholar James D. G. Dunn presents a book on a major issue in the study of Christian origins: what were the attitudes toward Jewish law within earliest Christianity? This volume not only gathers the author's significant contributions to date but also includes new material. Divided into nine parts, it is set in the wider context of a living dialogue and debate. The introduction maps out Dunn's extensive work in Pauline and Markan studies. The final chapter, "The Theology of Galatians," serves as a summary of Dunn's current position on Paul and the law and brings the volume to a convincing conclusion.

Ben Witherington III offers a comparison and a critical assessment of the end times teachings of Jesus and Paul.