Problem with Paul

Was Paul a chauvinist?

Was he a prude?

Was he anti-Semitic?

Why did Paul condone slavery?

How might he have fared on the Oprah Winfrey Show?

People outside the church have often found Paul hard to stomach. His views on women, sex and marriage, his failure to attack the institution of slavery, and his verbal attacks on his opponents have all come under fire.

Regrettably, Paul hasn't always fared that much better among believers. Like the apostle Peter, many wonder what to make of Paul and his confusing, controversial—and sometimes apparently contradictory—teachings. Put simply, Paul just isn't politically correct.

Brian Dodd offers a fresh look at the perpetually enigmatic and misunderstood Paul. Combining pastoral insight and scholarly rigor, he helps us bridge the gap between Paul's ancient world and our postmodern setting. Here is much-needed perspective for making sense of Paul—the man and his message.

People outside the church have often found Paul hard to stomach. His views on women, sex and marriage, his failure to attack the institution of slavery, his verbal attacks on his opponents have all come under fire. Regrettably, Paul hasn't always fared that much better among believers, who themselves, like the apostle Peter, sometimes wonder what to make of him. Let's face it - Paul just isn't politically correct. Brian Dodd offers a fresh look at the somewhat enigmatic and misunderstood Paul. With a pastor's heart and a scholar's insight, he helps us to bridge the gap between Paul's world and our own, providing the perspective we need to begin to make sense of Paul the man and his message. Whether you stand outside the church looking in or whether even from the inside you struggle to make sense of Paul in the contemporary world, The Problem with Paul will deepen your understanding and help you to grapple with one of the New Testament's most important authors.

Brian J. Dodd (Ph.D., University of Sheffield) has served as a pastor, church planter and seminary professor. He has led training in leadership development and evangelism in the U.S., U.K. and in countries of the former Soviet Union. He lives in Florida.