Apostle of God, The

By John Lee White

Book Description

Professor John Lee White explores a transformative question that reaches to the heart of Christian understanding: How did Paul's dramatic encounter with Christ reshape his entire conception of God? This scholarly yet accessible work examines the profound theological shift that occurred when the former persecutor of Christians became the apostle to the Gentiles.

White argues that Paul's revolutionary insight emerged not from human instruction but from direct divine revelation. The apostle came to understand that Abraham and Sarah, who lived before Jewish law and ethnic identity were established, provided the key to comprehending how Gentiles could receive God's blessing. Through Christ as the promised descendant of Abraham, Paul recognized that God's covenant extended beyond traditional boundaries.

This theological investigation delves into how Paul reconciled the Christ-event with Torah and Jewish tradition, revealing a divine plan that had been present from the beginning. The author demonstrates how Paul's personal transformation led to a broader understanding of God's relationship with all humanity, not just the Jewish people.

Drawing from biblical scholarship and theological analysis, White presents Paul's journey from persecution to proclamation as more than a personal conversion story. It becomes a window into understanding how divine encounter can fundamentally alter one's perception of God's character and purposes. This work offers readers insight into the theological foundations that shaped early Christianity's expansion beyond its Jewish origins.