The Moral Teaching of Paul: Selected Issues

by Victor Paul Furnish

In this expanded and updated third edition of an important work, respected Pauline scholar Victor Paul Furnish presents an analysis of some of Paul's most famous yet often misunderstood ethical teachings.

Dr. Furnish enriches his discussion of key Pauline topics including: sex, marriage, divorce, homosexuality, women in the church, and the Church in the world. He pays particular attention to the socio-cultural context of Paul's ministry, the complexity of his thought, the character of his moral reasoning, and the way his thought and reasoning may inform and challenge us today.

Victor Paul Furnish is University Distinguished Professor of New Testament, Emeritus at Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University, and general editor of the Abingdon New Testament Commentaries.

Genres: Theology, Religion, Nonfiction

172 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1979

Reviews

[Dawna Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I came across this book while reading an article on one of the debates on divergent views of family and relationships in the present world. It looked interesting so I downloaded the kindle version ---and let it sit on my bookshelf for months! Over the past couple of weeks, I actually started to read it. I was amazed at the way Furnish was able to shed light on Paul's meaning through a better understanding of the world views common at Paul's time. I also found it interesting how the author peeled back the deutero-Pauline epistles from those accepted as being from Paul himself to show a clearer understanding of Paul's view on the role of women ---and "wives, be subject to your husbands' sentiment was clearly not from Paul himself.

Just as we face moral questions today, Paul addressed some difficult issues on behalf of his communities. We may seek simple solutions to these issues but this read of Paul's instructions can shed light on how we are to tackle things today as well--and it's not always the way we may have been lead to believe!

[Jacob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great little survey on what we can ascertain of Paul's views from his letters. Paul's views definitely seem more subversive and progressive (for lack of a better word) than deutero-Paul. But, since deutro-Paul made it into the Bible, we've still got to deal with that...another day.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a balanced discussion of key texts in Paul's letters that address moral issues facing Christians today: marriage, divorce, homosexuality, the leadership of women in the church, and the relationship with the secular world. Furnish discusses the passages in their first-century context but also proposes ways that those passages continue to have meaning for Christians today.

[Geoffrey Sutton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book as I was preparing to write "A House Divided: Sexuality, Morality, and Christian Cultures." I found Furnish to present a refreshing appreciation of the Apostle's sociohistorical context, which helped support the author's understanding of Paul's moral teaching.

We are often made aware of fundamentalist and conservative evangelical views on various social issues like marriage, divorce, abortion, and same-sex relationships. But rarely do the media present scholarly examinations of alternative perspectives on the oft-quoted texts. This is where Furnish fills a need.

As I reflect on his interpretation of several hot-button issues, I cannot help but wonder if some former Christians might still identify as Christian if they realised people like Furnish can examine old moral principles in the light of ancient cultures and consider what principles might be useful today.

[Casey · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book on a recommendation and was particularly interested in Furnish's interpretation of Paul's view on homosexuality. Ultimately, I felt like Furnish didn't do enough exegetical work to really convince me of his points. He said some interesting things about sexuality, marriage, divorce, homosexuality, etc. that I had never heard before, but especially because it was so novel, I felt like he could have fleshed out his arguments a good deal more. He also tended to lean on cultural interpretations of Paul where I would have preferred him to take a more biblical approach-- to be fair, this is most likely result of differing views on scripture. In the end, Furnish's arguments didn't win me over, which was somewhat of a disappointment.

[Faisal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book to show the distinctions about Paul's undisputed teachings vs. the unknown male authors who used his name to write disputed teachings. This is regarding the patriarchal tradition that has been practiced from the beginning of time. This is still exists around the world in about most cultures. It is Like a bloody leech that won't stop sucking your blood until you put some salt on it.

[Kev · Rating 5 out of 5]

A mainstay of Pauline scholarship. Dated, but not irrelevant. Useful.

[Noabeth Bruckenthal · Rating 4 out of 5]

read 3rd or 4th edition if possible. major changes and deletions from first 2 editions.