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Paul's Understanding of the Church's Mission: Did the Apostle Paul Expect the Early Christian Communities to Evangelize? (Paternoster Biblical Monographs)

by Robert L. Plummer
Paperback |English |1597527238 | 9781597527231

Paul's Understanding of the Church's Mission: Did the Apostle Paul Expect the Early Christian Communities to Evangelize? (Paternoster Biblical Monographs)

by Robert L. Plummer
Paperback |English |1597527238 | 9781597527231
Overview

Did Paul expect his churches to engage in evangelistic activity which mirrored his own? Or have modern readers of the Bible wrongly projected Paul's apostolic passion upon the communities that he founded? Such is the charge of several recent authors, and if their thesis is correct nothing could have larger implications for how the modern church engages in mission. In this book, Robert L. Plummer engages in a careful study of Paul's letters to determine if the apostle expected the communities to which he wrote to engage in outward-directed missionary activity. Plummer helpfully summarizes the discussion to date on the debated issue, judiciously handles contested texts, and provides a way forward in addressing this critical question. While admitting that Paul rarely explicitly commands the communities he founded to evangelize, Plummer amasses significant incidental data to provide a convincing case that Paul did indeed expect his churches to engage in outward-directed missionary activity. Throughout the study, Plummer progressively builds a theological basis for the church's mission that is both compelling and distinctively Pauline. ""Robert Plummer's new monograph infuses fresh biblical data into a field too often informed by long-held convictions that lack adequate scriptural support. Plummer's emphasis on the power of the self-diffusive Word of God and on the church's corporate missionary nature provides a much-needed corrective to currently held paradigms and points the way forward to a more biblical, and hence more God-pleasing and effective, engagement of the church in its God-assigned mission."" --Andreas J. Kostenberger, Professor of New Testament and Greek, Director of PhD and ThM Studies, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and author of Salvation to the Ends of the Earth ""Plummer investigates a topic that is often neglected in Pauline studies, and demonstrates that Paul expected the churches he established to engage in mission. His work is creative but also reflects a sound reading of Pauline texts."" --Thomas R. Schreiner, Professor of New Testament, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and author of Paul, Apostle of God's Glory in Christ ""Dr. Plummer offers a helpful contribution to the ongoing debate regarding the evangelistic mission carried out by the Pauline churches with his argument that the gospel itself functioned as a powerful force to carry along the evangelism in the early Christian communities. This is a clearly and simply written account offering a significant fresh angle on the subject."" --I. Howard Marshall, Honorary Research Professor of New Testament, University of Aberdeen, and author of Witness to the Gospel: The Theology of Acts ""Dr. Plummer's significant work addresses the important but much disputed question as to whether the apostle Paul expected his churches and believers within them to be engaged in the ongoing task of evangelism. He claims that 'Paul's understanding of the gospel as the dynamic, effective word of God . . . provides the theological basis for a continuity of the mission between the apostles and the churches.' A former missionary who is interested in a biblical theology of mission, Dr. Plummer writes charitably as he subjects a range of views to careful, exegetical, and theological critique. This is a fine book that will be welcomed by students of the New Testament and its mission."" --Peter. T. O'Brien, Senior Research Fellow in New Testament, Moore College, Sydney, Australia Robert L. Plummer is Assistant Professor of New Testament Interpretation at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky. Dr. Plummer also serves as an elder at Sojourn Community Church in Louisville. He and his wife, Chandi, have two daughters, Sarah Beth and Chloe.
ISBN: 1597527238
ISBN13: 9781597527231
Author: Plummer, Robert L.
Publisher: Wipf and Stock
Format: Paperback
PublicationDate: 2006-06-01
Language: English
PageCount: 228
Dimensions: 6.0 x 0.52 x 9.0 inches
Weight: 10.4 ounces

Did Paul expect his churches to engage in evangelistic activity which mirrored his own? Or have modern readers of the Bible wrongly projected Paul's apostolic passion upon the communities that he founded? Such is the charge of several recent authors, and if their thesis is correct nothing could have larger implications for how the modern church engages in mission. In this book, Robert L. Plummer engages in a careful study of Paul's letters to determine if the apostle expected the communities to which he wrote to engage in outward-directed missionary activity. Plummer helpfully summarizes the discussion to date on the debated issue, judiciously handles contested texts, and provides a way forward in addressing this critical question. While admitting that Paul rarely explicitly commands the communities he founded to evangelize, Plummer amasses significant incidental data to provide a convincing case that Paul did indeed expect his churches to engage in outward-directed missionary activity. Throughout the study, Plummer progressively builds a theological basis for the church's mission that is both compelling and distinctively Pauline. ""Robert Plummer's new monograph infuses fresh biblical data into a field too often informed by long-held convictions that lack adequate scriptural support. Plummer's emphasis on the power of the self-diffusive Word of God and on the church's corporate missionary nature provides a much-needed corrective to currently held paradigms and points the way forward to a more biblical, and hence more God-pleasing and effective, engagement of the church in its God-assigned mission."" --Andreas J. Kostenberger, Professor of New Testament and Greek, Director of PhD and ThM Studies, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and author of Salvation to the Ends of the Earth ""Plummer investigates a topic that is often neglected in Pauline studies, and demonstrates that Paul expected the churches he established to engage in mission. His work is creative but also reflects a sound reading of Pauline texts."" --Thomas R. Schreiner, Professor of New Testament, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and author of Paul, Apostle of God's Glory in Christ ""Dr. Plummer offers a helpful contribution to the ongoing debate regarding the evangelistic mission carried out by the Pauline churches with his argument that the gospel itself functioned as a powerful force to carry along the evangelism in the early Christian communities. This is a clearly and simply written account offering a significant fresh angle on the subject."" --I. Howard Marshall, Honorary Research Professor of New Testament, University of Aberdeen, and author of Witness to the Gospel: The Theology of Acts ""Dr. Plummer's significant work addresses the important but much disputed question as to whether the apostle Paul expected his churches and believers within them to be engaged in the ongoing task of evangelism. He claims that 'Paul's understanding of the gospel as the dynamic, effective word of God . . . provides the theological basis for a continuity of the mission between the apostles and the churches.' A former missionary who is interested in a biblical theology of mission, Dr. Plummer writes charitably as he subjects a range of views to careful, exegetical, and theological critique. This is a fine book that will be welcomed by students of the New Testament and its mission."" --Peter. T. O'Brien, Senior Research Fellow in New Testament, Moore College, Sydney, Australia Robert L. Plummer is Assistant Professor of New Testament Interpretation at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky. Dr. Plummer also serves as an elder at Sojourn Community Church in Louisville. He and his wife, Chandi, have two daughters, Sarah Beth and Chloe.

Robert L. Plummer is Assistant Professor of New Testament Interpretation at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky. Dr. Plummer also serves as an elder at Sojourn Community Church in Louisville. He and his wife, Chandi, have two daughters, Sarah Beth and Chloe.

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  • Used - Acceptable: All pages and the cover are intact, but shrink wrap, dust covers, or boxed set case may be missing. Pages may include limited notes, highlighting, or minor water damage but the text is readable. Item may but the dust cover may be missing. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting, but the text cannot be obscured or unreadable.

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Several types of goods are exempt from being returned. Perishable goods such as food, flowers, newspapers or magazines cannot be returned. We also do not accept products that are intimate or sanitary goods, hazardous materials, or flammable liquids or gases.

Additional non-returnable items:

  • Gift cards
  • Downloadable software products
  • Some health and personal care items

To complete your return, we require a tracking number, which shows the items which you already returned to us.
There are certain situations where only partial refunds are granted (if applicable)

  • Book with obvious signs of use
  • CD, DVD, VHS tape, software, video game, cassette tape, or vinyl record that has been opened
  • Any item not in its original condition, is damaged or missing parts for reasons not due to our error
  • Any item that is returned more than 30 days after delivery

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Overview

Did Paul expect his churches to engage in evangelistic activity which mirrored his own? Or have modern readers of the Bible wrongly projected Paul's apostolic passion upon the communities that he founded? Such is the charge of several recent authors, and if their thesis is correct nothing could have larger implications for how the modern church engages in mission. In this book, Robert L. Plummer engages in a careful study of Paul's letters to determine if the apostle expected the communities to which he wrote to engage in outward-directed missionary activity. Plummer helpfully summarizes the discussion to date on the debated issue, judiciously handles contested texts, and provides a way forward in addressing this critical question. While admitting that Paul rarely explicitly commands the communities he founded to evangelize, Plummer amasses significant incidental data to provide a convincing case that Paul did indeed expect his churches to engage in outward-directed missionary activity. Throughout the study, Plummer progressively builds a theological basis for the church's mission that is both compelling and distinctively Pauline. ""Robert Plummer's new monograph infuses fresh biblical data into a field too often informed by long-held convictions that lack adequate scriptural support. Plummer's emphasis on the power of the self-diffusive Word of God and on the church's corporate missionary nature provides a much-needed corrective to currently held paradigms and points the way forward to a more biblical, and hence more God-pleasing and effective, engagement of the church in its God-assigned mission."" --Andreas J. Kostenberger, Professor of New Testament and Greek, Director of PhD and ThM Studies, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and author of Salvation to the Ends of the Earth ""Plummer investigates a topic that is often neglected in Pauline studies, and demonstrates that Paul expected the churches he established to engage in mission. His work is creative but also reflects a sound reading of Pauline texts."" --Thomas R. Schreiner, Professor of New Testament, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and author of Paul, Apostle of God's Glory in Christ ""Dr. Plummer offers a helpful contribution to the ongoing debate regarding the evangelistic mission carried out by the Pauline churches with his argument that the gospel itself functioned as a powerful force to carry along the evangelism in the early Christian communities. This is a clearly and simply written account offering a significant fresh angle on the subject."" --I. Howard Marshall, Honorary Research Professor of New Testament, University of Aberdeen, and author of Witness to the Gospel: The Theology of Acts ""Dr. Plummer's significant work addresses the important but much disputed question as to whether the apostle Paul expected his churches and believers within them to be engaged in the ongoing task of evangelism. He claims that 'Paul's understanding of the gospel as the dynamic, effective word of God . . . provides the theological basis for a continuity of the mission between the apostles and the churches.' A former missionary who is interested in a biblical theology of mission, Dr. Plummer writes charitably as he subjects a range of views to careful, exegetical, and theological critique. This is a fine book that will be welcomed by students of the New Testament and its mission."" --Peter. T. O'Brien, Senior Research Fellow in New Testament, Moore College, Sydney, Australia Robert L. Plummer is Assistant Professor of New Testament Interpretation at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky. Dr. Plummer also serves as an elder at Sojourn Community Church in Louisville. He and his wife, Chandi, have two daughters, Sarah Beth and Chloe.
ISBN: 1597527238
ISBN13: 9781597527231
Author: Plummer, Robert L.
Publisher: Wipf and Stock
Format: Paperback
PublicationDate: 2006-06-01
Language: English
PageCount: 228
Dimensions: 6.0 x 0.52 x 9.0 inches
Weight: 10.4 ounces

Did Paul expect his churches to engage in evangelistic activity which mirrored his own? Or have modern readers of the Bible wrongly projected Paul's apostolic passion upon the communities that he founded? Such is the charge of several recent authors, and if their thesis is correct nothing could have larger implications for how the modern church engages in mission. In this book, Robert L. Plummer engages in a careful study of Paul's letters to determine if the apostle expected the communities to which he wrote to engage in outward-directed missionary activity. Plummer helpfully summarizes the discussion to date on the debated issue, judiciously handles contested texts, and provides a way forward in addressing this critical question. While admitting that Paul rarely explicitly commands the communities he founded to evangelize, Plummer amasses significant incidental data to provide a convincing case that Paul did indeed expect his churches to engage in outward-directed missionary activity. Throughout the study, Plummer progressively builds a theological basis for the church's mission that is both compelling and distinctively Pauline. ""Robert Plummer's new monograph infuses fresh biblical data into a field too often informed by long-held convictions that lack adequate scriptural support. Plummer's emphasis on the power of the self-diffusive Word of God and on the church's corporate missionary nature provides a much-needed corrective to currently held paradigms and points the way forward to a more biblical, and hence more God-pleasing and effective, engagement of the church in its God-assigned mission."" --Andreas J. Kostenberger, Professor of New Testament and Greek, Director of PhD and ThM Studies, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and author of Salvation to the Ends of the Earth ""Plummer investigates a topic that is often neglected in Pauline studies, and demonstrates that Paul expected the churches he established to engage in mission. His work is creative but also reflects a sound reading of Pauline texts."" --Thomas R. Schreiner, Professor of New Testament, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and author of Paul, Apostle of God's Glory in Christ ""Dr. Plummer offers a helpful contribution to the ongoing debate regarding the evangelistic mission carried out by the Pauline churches with his argument that the gospel itself functioned as a powerful force to carry along the evangelism in the early Christian communities. This is a clearly and simply written account offering a significant fresh angle on the subject."" --I. Howard Marshall, Honorary Research Professor of New Testament, University of Aberdeen, and author of Witness to the Gospel: The Theology of Acts ""Dr. Plummer's significant work addresses the important but much disputed question as to whether the apostle Paul expected his churches and believers within them to be engaged in the ongoing task of evangelism. He claims that 'Paul's understanding of the gospel as the dynamic, effective word of God . . . provides the theological basis for a continuity of the mission between the apostles and the churches.' A former missionary who is interested in a biblical theology of mission, Dr. Plummer writes charitably as he subjects a range of views to careful, exegetical, and theological critique. This is a fine book that will be welcomed by students of the New Testament and its mission."" --Peter. T. O'Brien, Senior Research Fellow in New Testament, Moore College, Sydney, Australia Robert L. Plummer is Assistant Professor of New Testament Interpretation at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky. Dr. Plummer also serves as an elder at Sojourn Community Church in Louisville. He and his wife, Chandi, have two daughters, Sarah Beth and Chloe.

Robert L. Plummer is Assistant Professor of New Testament Interpretation at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky. Dr. Plummer also serves as an elder at Sojourn Community Church in Louisville. He and his wife, Chandi, have two daughters, Sarah Beth and Chloe.

Books - New and Used

The following guidelines apply to books:

  • New: A brand-new copy with cover and original protective wrapping intact. Books with markings of any kind on the cover or pages, books marked as "Bargain" or "Remainder," or with any other labels attached, may not be listed as New condition.
  • Used - Good: All pages and cover are intact (including the dust cover, if applicable). Spine may show signs of wear. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting. May include "From the library of" labels. Shrink wrap, dust covers, or boxed set case may be missing. Item may be missing bundled media.
  • Used - Acceptable: All pages and the cover are intact, but shrink wrap, dust covers, or boxed set case may be missing. Pages may include limited notes, highlighting, or minor water damage but the text is readable. Item may but the dust cover may be missing. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting, but the text cannot be obscured or unreadable.

Note: Some electronic material access codes are valid only for one user. For this reason, used books, including books listed in the Used – Like New condition, may not come with functional electronic material access codes.

Shipping Fees

  • Stevens Books offers FREE SHIPPING everywhere in the United States for ALL non-book orders, and $3.99 for each book.
  • Packages are shipped from Monday to Friday.
  • No additional fees and charges.

Delivery Times

The usual time for processing an order is 24 hours (1 business day), but may vary depending on the availability of products ordered. This period excludes delivery times, which depend on your geographic location.

Estimated delivery times:

  • Standard Shipping: 5-8 business days
  • Expedited Shipping: 3-5 business days

Shipping method varies depending on what is being shipped.  

Tracking
All orders are shipped with a tracking number. Once your order has left our warehouse, a confirmation e-mail with a tracking number will be sent to you. You will be able to track your package at all times. 

Damaged Parcel
If your package has been delivered in a PO Box, please note that we are not responsible for any damage that may result (consequences of extreme temperatures, theft, etc.). 

If you have any questions regarding shipping or want to know about the status of an order, please contact us or email to support@stevensbooks.com.

You may return most items within 30 days of delivery for a full refund.

To be eligible for a return, your item must be unused and in the same condition that you received it. It must also be in the original packaging.

Several types of goods are exempt from being returned. Perishable goods such as food, flowers, newspapers or magazines cannot be returned. We also do not accept products that are intimate or sanitary goods, hazardous materials, or flammable liquids or gases.

Additional non-returnable items:

  • Gift cards
  • Downloadable software products
  • Some health and personal care items

To complete your return, we require a tracking number, which shows the items which you already returned to us.
There are certain situations where only partial refunds are granted (if applicable)

  • Book with obvious signs of use
  • CD, DVD, VHS tape, software, video game, cassette tape, or vinyl record that has been opened
  • Any item not in its original condition, is damaged or missing parts for reasons not due to our error
  • Any item that is returned more than 30 days after delivery

Items returned to us as a result of our error will receive a full refund,some returns may be subject to a restocking fee of 7% of the total item price, please contact a customer care team member to see if your return is subject. Returns that arrived on time and were as described are subject to a restocking fee.

Items returned to us that were not the result of our error, including items returned to us due to an invalid or incomplete address, will be refunded the original item price less our standard restocking fees.

If the item is returned to us for any of the following reasons, a 15% restocking fee will be applied to your refund total and you will be asked to pay for return shipping:

  • Item(s) no longer needed or wanted.
  • Item(s) returned to us due to an invalid or incomplete address.
  • Item(s) returned to us that were not a result of our error.

You should expect to receive your refund within four weeks of giving your package to the return shipper, however, in many cases you will receive a refund more quickly. This time period includes the transit time for us to receive your return from the shipper (5 to 10 business days), the time it takes us to process your return once we receive it (3 to 5 business days), and the time it takes your bank to process our refund request (5 to 10 business days).

If you need to return an item, please Contact Us with your order number and details about the product you would like to return. We will respond quickly with instructions for how to return items from your order.


Shipping Cost


We'll pay the return shipping costs if the return is a result of our error (you received an incorrect or defective item, etc.). In other cases, you will be responsible for paying for your own shipping costs for returning your item. Shipping costs are non-refundable. If you receive a refund, the cost of return shipping will be deducted from your refund.

Depending on where you live, the time it may take for your exchanged product to reach you, may vary.

If you are shipping an item over $75, you should consider using a trackable shipping service or purchasing shipping insurance. We don’t guarantee that we will receive your returned item.

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