B J Oropeza

This five-views work brings together an all-star lineup of Pauline scholars to offer a constructive, interdenominational, up-to-date conversation on key issues of Pauline theology. The editors begin with an informative recent history of biblical tradition related to the perspectives on Paul. John M. G. Barclay, A. Andrew Das, James D. G. Dunn, Brant Pitre, and Magnus Zetterholm then discuss how to interpret Paul's writings and theology, especially the apostle's view of salvation. The book concludes with an assessment of the perspectives from a pastoral point of view by Dennis Edwards.

This compact commentary on 1 Corinthians is both readable and full of insights that will engage students, ministers, and scholars alike. The Apostle Paul writes to a relatively new church in which members are failing to maintain solidarity with other members. They struggle to find their unique place in Roman society as Gentile followers of Jewish leaders that proclaim Christ as Lord. Their many problems include competition over leadership and social prestige, sexual impropriety, household conflicts, idol foods, table fellowship, protocols on gender and the use of spiritual gifts, and confusion about death, immortality, and Christ's return. Oropeza addresses Paul's response to these and other issues as he engages ancient biblical, Jewish, and Greco-Roman sources along with recent scholarship. This is a must-read for those who want to understand the Corinthian situation and Paul's response in a new way. ""This commentary deeply embeds Paul in Jewish, Greek, and Roman moral, political, mythical, and religious beliefs and practices in the ancient Mediterranean world. The challenge for the reader is how to translate, transfer, or reconfigure these beliefs and practices into a Christian lifestyle in a highly different but related world during the twenty-first Century."" --Vernon K. Robbins, Emory University B. J. Oropeza is Professor of Biblical and Religious Studies at Azusa Pacific University (Azusa, CA). Among his numerous publications are Exploring Second Corinthians (2016) and Exploring Intertextuality (2016, co-editor Steve Moyise)

This groundbreaking work presents the concepts of apostasy and perseverance in light of recent interpretative and intertextual methods. Oropeza argues that the Pauline letters include warnings to congregation members who are in danger of falling away, and Paul often considers these members to be authentic converts to the early Christian message. A prime example of this is presented in the apostle's use of the Exodus-wilderness traditions in 1 Corinthians 10:1-13. In an effort to persuade congregation members against apostasy, Paul echoes examples from the Hebrew Scriptures and Jewish traditions regarding Israel's divine election and punishments. The Corinthians are exhorted against conducting themselves in a manner that parallels the ancient Israelites who, after crossing the Red Sea, were rejected by God in the wilderness because they murmured and committed vices such as idolatry and sexual immorality. Paul cautions the Corinthians that if they commit such vices in their own spiritual journey, they will suffer divine judgment before the culmination of the eschaton. These warnings are located within larger rhetorical arguments related to the problems of meat sacrificed to idols, congregational factions, and misperceptions about the end times. Oropeza also interprets passages on apostasy and perseverance in Paul's other letters, and he interacts with theological perspectives associated with the perseverance of the saints, including Calvinist and Arminian traditions. His work provides a fresh alternative to this theological controversy. B. J. Oropeza is Professor of Biblical Studies in the Division of Religion and Philosophy at Azusa Pacific University. Among his many publications are 'Ninety-Nine Answers to Questions About Angels, Demons, and Spiritual Warfare'; 'A Time to Laugh: The Holy Laughter Phenomenon Examined'; and 'Ninety-Nine Reasons Why No One Knows When Christ Will Return.' Oropeza has been invited to speak on various radio and television talk shows about his areas of expertise including pop culture, eschatology, Jesus and Paul, and cults.

B. J. Oropeza presents the concepts of apostasy and perseverance in the light of recent interpretative and intertextual methods. He argues that the Pauline messages include warnings to congregation members who are in danger of falling away. Paul often considers these members to be authentic converts to the early Christian message. A prime example of this is presented in the apostle's use of the Exodus-wilderness traditions in 1 Corinthians 10:1-13. In an effort to persuade the members against apostasy, Paul echoes examples from the Jewish traditions regarding Israel's divine election and punishments. The Corinthians are exhorted not to conduct themselves in a manner that parallels the Israelites who, after crossing the Red Sea, were rejected by God in the wilderness because they committed vices. If the Corinthians commit the same vices in their own spiritual journey, they will suffer divine judgment before the culmination of the eschaton. This language is located within larger rhetorical arguments related to the problems of meat sacrificed to idols, congregational factions and eschatological misperceptions. B. J. Oropeza also deals with theological perspectives associated with the perseverance of the saints, including the Calvinist and Arminian traditions. He thus provides a compelling alternative approach to the theological controversy.