Contending with Paul: The Hidden Story Behind the Writing of Matthew, Mark, and Luke
Author(s): William Joseph Cobble
Publisher: N/A
Price: $4.99      

Top 10 International Best Seller Rankings:

#1 in “Biographies of Judaism” (United Kingdom, June 2024)
#2 in “Christian History” (United States, August 2024)
#5 in “Christian History” (Australia, September 2024)
#9 in “Theology” (Canada, August 2024)

Using a blend of history, theology, biography, and literary criticism, Contending with Paul focuses primarily on the first two generations of the Christian movement. It is the first generation who would initially debate how the message of Jesus should be presented to the Gentile world (non-Jews) and what would be expected of those Gentiles who desired to follow Jesus. It is the second generation of believers who began to write in a new literary genre that Christians call “gospels.” The Gospel of Matthew, the Gospel of Mark, and the Gospel of Luke, are the earliest three to have survived, and it is through these writings that the debates of the first generation get carried forward by the second. Though all three gospels were written after the death of Paul, it is asserted by the author that each gospel writer contended with his continuing influence in some way, though each from their own distinctive vantage point.

Paul’s influence may be underestimated if one only counts his 13 extant works in the New Testament. For the benefit of using a round number, it can be estimated that Paul ministered for 30 years. Also, for the sake of a round number, the churches and individuals to whom he corresponded may be estimated to be 20. Supposing he wrote to each of these entities twice a year, Paul’s total ministerial correspondence would rise from his 13 extant works to an output of 1,200. Paul would likely have been a dynamic figure in person as well. He is portrayed as a vigorous traveler and a gifted debater. Herein lies the influence. Not only is it credible that this influence would have been felt by the gospel writers, it may have been impossible for them to completely isolate themselves from it.

Contending with Paul 2: What Paul’s Letters Tell Us About Their Author(s) – And Why We Should Listen
Author(s): William Joseph Cobble
Publisher: N/A
Price: $2.99      

An Amazon #1 New Release in: “Christian Education,” “Christian Bible History and Culture,”
and “Christian History.”

The Christian New Testament contains twenty-seven works, thirteen of which are letters claiming to be written by Paul. Yet, since the 1800s, critical scholars have adamantly disputed his authorship of six of these. Why?

In 2 Thessalonians 2:2-3, Paul warns of a counterfeit letter “allegedly from us,” and instructs his congregation: “Let no one deceive you in any way.”
If First Century forgers were circulating letters claiming to be written by Paul, could any of these have found their way into the New Testament? How would we know?
Do Paul’s seven Undisputed Letters reveal any signs of editing or alteration?

“Contending with Paul 2” examines the journeys of all thirteen of Paul’s letters and the Book of Hebrews. Approaching these letters as historical documents, the author looks through the eyes of the scholars in order to understand what they see.

What is found will enrich the reader’s knowledge of all of Paul’s letters. It will also provide much to consider regarding the six Disputed Letters and the power they continue to wield.