A THEOLOGY OF PAUL THE APOSTLE, PART ONE: PAUL'S ESCHATOLOGICAL GOSPEL. By G. RogerGreene. Eugene, Oregon: Pickwick, 2023. Pp. ix + 531. Paper, $66.00.

In this lengthy, scholarly, first of two volumes on Paul's theology, Greene argues for understanding Paul as an eschatological theologian-pastor who saw himself standing in the age of transformation proclaiming a gospel of God's present and future victory over the cosmic powers in the Christ event. Central to Greene's project is a historical-critical pursuit to allow the theology of Paul's letters to speak out of their own historical matrices, peeling back the so-called “theological barnacles” that have come to overlay, and obscure, Paul's theology over time. Though expert readers of works of Pauline theology will find little that is groundbreaking in this volume, it constitutes a peculiarity of Greene's approach to propose that Paul's salutations have been neglected factors in studies of Pauline theology, indeed, that they serve to illuminate and even govern Paul's theological convictions. Greene's discussion addresses some standard theological topoi of Pauline theologies, starting with prolegomena, moving to Paul's basic eschatological gospel centering on Jesus' death and resurrection, and expounding its indicative significance for the human being, the Christian community, and the cosmos. Greene concludes with a consideration of Paul's reception in the Christian tradition, including appendices on Paul's chronology and modern research on Paul at the end. Greene's insistence on the centrality of the resurrection as the generative conviction of Paul's eschatology and life is a welcome corrective to interpretations that focus primarily on Paul's theology of the cross and foreground one atonement image as pre-eminent. Many passages reveal a seasoned Pauline scholar providing in-depth discussion of critical problems in Paul's letters, offering criticisms of certain interpretations, and pointing toward implications for contemporary readers. But questions remain about the impact this volume will have on a field saturated with works of its kind. The argument sometimes rehearses points repetitiously while offering little in-depth engagement with newer interpretations of Paul's theological perspectives (e.g., Paul within Judaism). And the question of its usefulness for students who may be daunted by the length and size of the work makes it difficult to recommend for pertinent courses in Pauline theology.