Spirituality According to Paul: Imitating the Apostle of Christ, By Rodney Reeves
Spirituality According to Paul
paperback
  • Length: 253 pages
  • Dimensions: 6 × 9 in
  • Published: September 28, 2011
  • Imprint: IVP Academic
  • Item Code: 3946
  • ISBN: 9780830839469

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Spirituality often evokes images of quiet centeredness, meditative serenity and freedom from life's pressures. It?s become a chic commodity, with its benefits evoked by images of sunrises and secluded retreats.

Contrast the apostle Paul, who promotes a cross-shaped spirituality for fools making their way though life's trials. Paul realized that images of crucifixion, burial and resurrection would never be popular images of the spiritual life. So he encourages his fellow travelers, who are spiritually united with Christ, to "follow me as I follow Christ."

As he explores this ancient spiritual path, Rodney Reeves probes our understanding of what Christian spirituality should be. And to illuminate its transformative power, he gives us living illustrations of what it means to follow Paul as he followed Christ. Here is a book that joins a deep understanding of Paul with a pastoral and spiritual wisdom born of experience.

"Imitating Christ is too often reduced to the classic spiritual disciplines. While not inherently wrong, it superimposes an artificial framework on Paul. Like Procrustes of mythology, we stretch and chop the text to fit the bed. Dr. Reeves, a beloved professor in the classroom and an accomplished Pauline scholar, highlights the essential elements of following Christ, letting Paul use the framework Paul chose. Don't let his charming style and delightful wit deceive you. This is not fluffy devotion, but solid exegesis, cognizance of issues, thoughtful reflection and practical application by someone who knows and believes the text. Here is the spiritual formation textbook you were looking for."

E. Randolph Richards, professor of biblical studies, Palm Beach Atlantic University

"Reeves has a remarkable ability to make ancient texts speak with a modern voice. He helps us rediscover Paul's spirituality, not in some lazy, postmodern, touchy-feely sense, but in a rigorous, immensely practical, how-to-live-your-life sense. In a day when we are advised not to put people on pedestals, Reeves insists that we place Paul squarely on a pedestal--head and shoulders above the rest--and imitate him."

David B. Capes, Thomas Nelson Research Professor, Houston Baptist University

"This book is an outstanding resource for anyone who yearns to know Christ more deeply and follow him more completely. Rodney Reeves has given us a valuable gift in Spirituality According to Paul. His combination of careful biblical scholarship, wise pastoral counsel and open-hearted sharing of his own faith journey helps us see in new ways what authentic spirituality is all about. This book is a rich resource for pastors, lay leaders and all believers who want to grow in their relationship with Christ and to live out their faith each day."

Mark D. Roberts, senior advisor and theologian-in-residence, Foundations for Laity Renewal

"I am convinced that my friend Rodney Reeves writes to challenge, confound and sometimes irritate! Rodney has a keen mind and a distinct way of pressing God's truth into our heart, then probing there to see what we are going to do in response. This is a great book to read, study, digest, meditate and, as a result, imitate the apostle of Christ."

Rex M. Horne Jr., president, Ouachita Baptist University

"This is not a book with simple modern steps to achieve a better spirituality, but a valuable engagement with ancient Christian spirituality as exemplified by Paul's teaching and life focused on Christ's crucifixion, burial and resurrection."

Robert S. Dutch, Journal for the Study of the New Testament, 35(5)

"In the end, the book succeeds in articulating what it would mean for us, as Christ followers in the twenty-first century, to live out Paul's theology in a robust and compelling way with its myriad of contemporary examples. . . . Anyone looking for a depiction of what following Paul would practically look like in our current world will find this book worth his or her time."

Benjamin J. Burkholder, Journal of Spiritual Formation and Soul Care, Fall 2012

"The book is intended for all who are interested in Paul and who are developing a basic understanding of who he is, and, in this regard, Reeves has accomplished his purpose. It is recommended for scholars, pastors, students, and the untrained who are interested in this area and who desire a current scholarly yet readable and understandable approach that emphasizes the importance of demonstrating the gospel in every situation."

James M. Howard, Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, 55(3)

"An engaging discussion of Christian living as expounded in Paul's letters."

Ray Van Neste, Preaching, November/December 2012

"Rodney Reeves' new book, Spirituality According to Paul: Imitating the Apostle of Christ, is one of the most courageous sketches of Paul's view of the Christian life I've seen. I think he takes Paul at his word and then turns Paul's words on us so we can see ourselves in the mirror of Paul's radical (ludicrous) vision. . . . Pastors, buy this book and meditate your way through it. You will rise up and call me blessed if you do"

Scot McKnight, Jesus Creed, December 14, 2011, www.patheos.com/blogs/jesuscreed

"This accessible book is appropriate not only for classroom use but also for church contexts."

Matthew P. O'Reilly, Religious Studies Review, Volume 39, Number 4, December 2013
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CONTENTS

Preface
Introduction

Part 1: Crucified with Christ
1 Foolish Death: Suffering the Loss of All Things
2 Living Sacrifice: Crucifying the World
3 Holy Temples: Denying the Flesh
4 Free Slaves: Graceful Obedience

Part 2: Buried with Christ
5 Whole Body: One Faith
6 Common Bonds: Worship as Corporate Reality
7 Sacred Community: Sex and Marriage
8 Generous Fellowship: Work and Money

Part 3: Raised with Christ
9 Bold Confession: Wasting No Time
10 Blessed Hope: The Wait/Weight of Glory
11 Putting Up a Fight: Opposing the Powers
12 Seeing Things: Mystical Journeys

Conclusion: The Imitable Life

Notes
Subject Index
Scripture Index

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Rodney Reeves

Rodney Reeves (PhD, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary) is senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Jonesboro, Arkansas. He has also taught New Testament at Northern Seminary, Southwest Baptist University, and Williams Baptist University. His many publications include Spirituality According to Paul, Rediscovering Paul, Rediscovering Jesus, and Matthew in the Story of God commentary series.