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The Life and Theology of Paul
Much of what we know about theology—about justification, adoption, sanctification, and glorification—comes directly from the writings of the Apostle Paul. If we removed Paul’s writings from Scripture, our understanding of these truths would be greatly impoverished. Paul’s inspired writings and the story of his life continue to be a precious gift to the church. Dr. Guy Prentiss Waters leads us on a doctrinally enriching and spiritually edifying journey from Paul’s life, conversion, and call to key themes in his theology.
146 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 11, 2018
44 people are currently reading
107 people want to read
About the author
Guy Prentiss Waters
38 books25 followersGuy Prentiss Waters (PhD, Duke University) is James M. Baird Jr. Professor of New Testament and academic dean at Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson. He is the author or editor of fifteen books and numerous chapters, articles, and reviews. He is a teaching elder in the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
April 3, 2025
I really appreciated Waters’ style of writing and he did a great job working through Paul’s theology. Would read his other books.
March 13, 2019
What a thrilling read of rich wonders in Paul's theology! Guy Waters is a clear thinker and an able writer. With a view to helping the church dive deep into the treasure-chest of the gospel of Christ, he provides reflective lessons at the end of every theologically dense chapter. A must read for anyone who wants to understand Paul and his view of Christ and His Gospel!
January 27, 2025
A simple, easy to read introduction to ‘Pauline’ theology concerning two ages, sin, justification, sanctification, church, and the future.
Waters communicates rich, deep theology in simple layman terms for the average church member to understand and enjoy. He uses the epistle to the Romans to ground what ‘Paul’s’ theology is. Each chapter ends with practical application for believers today.
A disagreement concerning the doctrine of the church regarding church membership for believers and their children and two ‘types’ of elders.
Other than that, highly recommend this book for everyone to further enrich their understanding of ‘Paul’s’ theology in his letters.
Waters communicates rich, deep theology in simple layman terms for the average church member to understand and enjoy. He uses the epistle to the Romans to ground what ‘Paul’s’ theology is. Each chapter ends with practical application for believers today.
A disagreement concerning the doctrine of the church regarding church membership for believers and their children and two ‘types’ of elders.
Other than that, highly recommend this book for everyone to further enrich their understanding of ‘Paul’s’ theology in his letters.
January 15, 2018
It was one of the most dramatic conversion experiences in redemptive history. The apostle Paul, formerly Saul of Tarsus was miraculously transformed into a man who found his delight in God. Guy Prentiss Waters tells the story of Paul’s conversion in his latest book. The Life and Theology of Paul not only unpacks some basic biographical details about the apostle Paul – it explores the basics of Pauline theology.
In some ways, this work is a mini-systematic theology. While the author does not cover every branch of theology, he does present Paul’s hamartiology, soteriology, and the ecclesiology. Also, included is a brief discussion of personal eschatology.
Each chapter concludes with a section of practical application. Here, the author presents real-life principles that readers should wrestle with and apply to their lives.
The Life and Theology of Paul is accessible to a wide range of readers and is a faithful treatment of Reformed theology that will provide deep encouragement for many people. It is my privilege to commend this new volume and trust that it will receive a wide reading.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review.
In some ways, this work is a mini-systematic theology. While the author does not cover every branch of theology, he does present Paul’s hamartiology, soteriology, and the ecclesiology. Also, included is a brief discussion of personal eschatology.
Each chapter concludes with a section of practical application. Here, the author presents real-life principles that readers should wrestle with and apply to their lives.
The Life and Theology of Paul is accessible to a wide range of readers and is a faithful treatment of Reformed theology that will provide deep encouragement for many people. It is my privilege to commend this new volume and trust that it will receive a wide reading.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review.
January 13, 2020
The Life and Theology of Paul is a solid overview of the core of the Apostle Paul's presentation of the gospel. It's a short book, and most of the chapters end with a "Lessons for Today" section that would make this an ideal resource for a church Bible study. Waters clearly intends this book for a lay audience, and as such he avoids directly miring himself in most of the controversies surrounding things like the New Perspective on Paul. However, if you read this book in light of modern controversies in Pauline studies you'll see that he is responding positively to many of those controversies by prefacing certain remarks with something like, "Some theologians today believe that..."
This is a book I would recommend for a small-group study of the gospel.
This is a book I would recommend for a small-group study of the gospel.
April 1, 2020
I really enjoyed this book. It is a nice and easy read. More devotional and thoughtful rather than academic. My only issue is the title. There is a brief exposition into the life of Paul, so that’s okay. But the theology aspect is reserved for simply one of Paul’s Letters. Obviously, Romans. But it isn’t the fact that he concentrates on just one of Paul’s thirteen letters, the disappointing part is he focuses primarily on two chapters (7-8). So it is not thorough by any means. Nevertheless, still a great read and a nice break from the thick and heavy stuff.
May 23, 2024
Good introduction to some crucial issues in Paul. However, Waters at times only vaguely refers to scholars with opposing viewpoints without naming them or listing sources (e.g., New Perspective Proponents like Wright, Dunn, etc). It gives the impression that readers need not compare his work with theirs.
March 5, 2025
Such a good summary of Paul's gospel in Romans! Accessible and easy to read. Encouraging too
June 11, 2021
Chapters on justification and sanctification were SO GOOD
June 3, 2018
The life and Theology of Paul - Guy Prentiss Waters
This is a NetGalley review of a nonfiction Christian book.
I am very impressed with this book. It is straightforward and easy to understand, yet contains very complex and often misunderstood theological concepts from the New Testament.
The book begins by giving a biography of Pail, which is necessarily brief, as we have so few facts to go on. The author expounds on Paul's life before the 'Damascus Road experience' and considers the significance of his conversion and call to ministry.
The remainder of the book explains Paul's basic theology in careful detail with copious scriptural references for each point made. Mainly the author works through the book of Roman, explaining how Paul gradually unveiled the workings of salvation in this book.
The first theology concept is sinfulness, then the complex concept of justification is tackled. This is done in a very clear manner, relating the principe to a courtroom situation, which is most helpful.
Next sanctification is explained and the daily struggle we must face with our 'inner man' and the role of the Holy Spirit in this.
Finally the concept of the church as a body and a building as it is referred to in Romans and Corinthians and then as it is enlarged on in Ephesians and Colossians. Church structure is also considered.
The last chapter, entitled 'The Future' concerns God's future work with humanity and in the world and also broaches our assurance of salvation.
Each chapter has thorough notes and ends with a section where the theology which has been explained applied to our everyday lives.
I would recommend this book as an essential part of any Christian's library. I was already familiar with all of this theolgy, but was impressed by the clarity the author brought to these deep, often misunderstood concepts which are integral to our religion.
A truly useful theology book.
This is a NetGalley review of a nonfiction Christian book.
I am very impressed with this book. It is straightforward and easy to understand, yet contains very complex and often misunderstood theological concepts from the New Testament.
The book begins by giving a biography of Pail, which is necessarily brief, as we have so few facts to go on. The author expounds on Paul's life before the 'Damascus Road experience' and considers the significance of his conversion and call to ministry.
The remainder of the book explains Paul's basic theology in careful detail with copious scriptural references for each point made. Mainly the author works through the book of Roman, explaining how Paul gradually unveiled the workings of salvation in this book.
The first theology concept is sinfulness, then the complex concept of justification is tackled. This is done in a very clear manner, relating the principe to a courtroom situation, which is most helpful.
Next sanctification is explained and the daily struggle we must face with our 'inner man' and the role of the Holy Spirit in this.
Finally the concept of the church as a body and a building as it is referred to in Romans and Corinthians and then as it is enlarged on in Ephesians and Colossians. Church structure is also considered.
The last chapter, entitled 'The Future' concerns God's future work with humanity and in the world and also broaches our assurance of salvation.
Each chapter has thorough notes and ends with a section where the theology which has been explained applied to our everyday lives.
I would recommend this book as an essential part of any Christian's library. I was already familiar with all of this theolgy, but was impressed by the clarity the author brought to these deep, often misunderstood concepts which are integral to our religion.
A truly useful theology book.
February 19, 2018
**I received a free review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.**
In the first chapter , Guy Prentiss Waters poses the question "Where would the church be without the apostle Paul?" Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, wrote roughly half of the New Testament. His letters played indispensable roles in the lives of such men as Augustine, Martin Luther, and John Wesley. After reading Waters' book, one would be hard-pressed to argue that anyone--with the exception of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself--has been more important to the development of the Christian faith.
Waters takes the reader through Paul's conversion story as well as the main points of his theology on the topics of sin, justification, and sanctification. This is not, however, merely a theological treatise. At the end of each chapter, the author gives the reader "Lessons for Today." So, for instance, after explaining how Paul wrote about the Gospel, he emphasizes that "Understanding who we once were as sinners and our new relationship with sin as believers is crucial to our effectively engaging the enemy--sin." Likewise, the doctrine of justification is not the stuff of dusty old tomes in the back of the seminary library. Rather, "no Christian can afford to forget . . . that Christian living finds an unparalleled motive in the work of Christ for our justification. To live the Christian life well, then, we must be growing in our sense of the love of Christ for us, especially His self-giving love for us at the cross."
In The Life and Theology of Paul Waters has given the church a work that is both theologically rich as well as eminently practical for daily Christian living. I cannot recommend it highly enough.
In the first chapter , Guy Prentiss Waters poses the question "Where would the church be without the apostle Paul?" Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, wrote roughly half of the New Testament. His letters played indispensable roles in the lives of such men as Augustine, Martin Luther, and John Wesley. After reading Waters' book, one would be hard-pressed to argue that anyone--with the exception of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself--has been more important to the development of the Christian faith.
Waters takes the reader through Paul's conversion story as well as the main points of his theology on the topics of sin, justification, and sanctification. This is not, however, merely a theological treatise. At the end of each chapter, the author gives the reader "Lessons for Today." So, for instance, after explaining how Paul wrote about the Gospel, he emphasizes that "Understanding who we once were as sinners and our new relationship with sin as believers is crucial to our effectively engaging the enemy--sin." Likewise, the doctrine of justification is not the stuff of dusty old tomes in the back of the seminary library. Rather, "no Christian can afford to forget . . . that Christian living finds an unparalleled motive in the work of Christ for our justification. To live the Christian life well, then, we must be growing in our sense of the love of Christ for us, especially His self-giving love for us at the cross."
In The Life and Theology of Paul Waters has given the church a work that is both theologically rich as well as eminently practical for daily Christian living. I cannot recommend it highly enough.
October 14, 2024
Good introduction to Paul’s history and theology. Won’t get into any significant issues or controversies surrounding Pauline theology but it’s a good starting point.
February 7, 2021
More a theology than a life of Paul, this book is nevertheless a very good, very basic introduction to reformed doctrines of salvation: man’s depravity, federal headship, conversion, justification, sanctification, assurance, the final judgement. It was refreshing to hear a more biblical and passive view of conversion as opposed to the active Lordship Salvation of John MacArthur, as well as his explanation of the believers at the Last Day facing a final judgment of works that will be rewarded, rather than a final justification of worthiness to enter Heaven. I also appreciated his argument for the historicity of Adam based on his federal headship of the Covenant of Works as contrasted with Christ’s federal headship of the New Covenant in Romans 5, etc.
I disagree, however, with his view of the spiritual gifts, for he suggests that they serve only to edify the church at large. The apostle Paul rather explains that “He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church” (1 Cor. 14:4).
I disagree, however, with his view of the spiritual gifts, for he suggests that they serve only to edify the church at large. The apostle Paul rather explains that “He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church” (1 Cor. 14:4).
October 1, 2020
This book provides an accessible short biography of the apostle Paul, and uses his background as a Pharisee to help explain Paul's theology as a Christian. This book uses non-scholarly language to delve into Paul's thoughts on sin, justification, sanctification, ecclesiology and eschatology. An excellent primer on the theological thinking behind this major writer of the New Testament. Recommended!
August 28, 2020
I absolutely loved this book. This book walks you through Romans and clearly explains the doctrines of sin, justification, and sanctification. Each chapter ends with a section titled: Lessons for Today, which I found extremely helpful. What a clear and easy to read book. I highly recommend.
***also, to be clear, this book is less about Paul's life and focuses on his theology.
***also, to be clear, this book is less about Paul's life and focuses on his theology.
July 22, 2020
Guy Prentiss Waters' consideration of Paul and his teachings mostly focuses on Paul's teaching on sin, justification and sanctification, plus the Church and the future. He covers a lot of ground quickly but this is very informative and edifying.
July 31, 2023
An excellent introduction to Paul’s thought, done primarily through the lens of Romans 1-8. Highly recommended for the new Christian who wants to become acquainted with the broad scheme of Pauline theology.
January 27, 2025
Doesn’t get much into the life of Paul, and spends much the time talking about sin, justification and sanctification. I think there is so much more in Paul’s letters that is left unmentioned. I don’t have anything against what he says, it just didn’t grab me.
September 22, 2018
This is a clear and concise expository explanation of the gospel through the scriptural teaching of the Apostle Paul. Highly recommend this book.
September 10, 2019
The second half about his theology had some wonderful application points.
February 19, 2020
Great popular level intro into Paul's theology.
January 30, 2021
A good concise summary.
October 29, 2021
Very, very good.
July 20, 2023
A good overview of the Pauline Gospel regarding sin, justification, sanctification, church, and last things. Readable and applicable.
July 22, 2023
This should be titled “conversion” and theology of Paul. This is a book about theological emphases in the Pauline corpus.
February 28, 2024
Looking forward to gifting this to a friend.
November 9, 2025
practical and worth the read!
January 26, 2024
Absolutely loved Water's writing on Paul's theology. He writes clearly and with authority. He helped me navigate through some of Paul's more difficult concepts like justification. I will check out more Guy Prentiss Waters for sure.
October 28, 2022
This book did a great job of having great theological thought and depth while keeping it concise and understandable. Very impactful book and (despite reading this for school) was a great read. This is the only book I had in my religion classes that I actually would look forward to reading and read expecting to learn something.
April 9, 2019
An excellent introduction to Pauline theology on key doctrines like justification and sanctification.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews