What would Christianity be like without Paul the Apostle?

Arguably Paul’s influence on Christianity has been greater than any other Christian writer. The 13 epistles have traditionally attributed to Paul have influenced great figures of Christian history from St. Augustine to Martin Luther to contemporary theologians as well as untold numbers of believers.

And yet St. Paul has posed a problem for many people. He has been blamed for distorting the message of Jesus, leading true Christianity astray, promoting hatred of women, and encouraging negative attitudes toward human sexuality. Still, many find his letters sublime and encouraging.

Through this captivating new 24-talk series with Father Ronald D. Witherup, S.S. you will understand this preeminent Apostle as never before. For the first time ever, you can explore Paul’s life, writings and legacy with Fr. Witherup, one of the world’s most extraordinary lecturers while you drive or relax.

Explore the Life and Mission of Paul

Saul of Tarsus, whom we now know as Paul, Apostle to the Gentiles, lived in a highly diverse, multicultural and multilingual world. Understand what gave Paul the strength to respond to the challenge he encountered on the road to Damascus when the risen Lord Jesus appeared to him and called him to a dramatically new mission: preaching the gospel message to the Gentiles.

See the strength of Paul’s Jewish faith and his intense commitment to the Pharisees, a Jewish group known for their piety and zeal. Just how this zeal translated into his deep commitment to Jesus Christ is one of the most amazing aspects of Paul’s life.

Explore the interesting contributions of modern archaeological studies and how they have enhanced knowledge of Paul’s world and the communities he served.

Understand Paul’s Letters

You’ll see Paul’s use of letters as a means both of communication and evangelization. All thirteen of his letters will be referenced in some detail, although scholars posit that seven are undisputedly from his hand, while the remaining six may have, at least in their final form, been written by later disciples writing in Paul’s name.

Paul’s theology’s continues to be a strong foundation in Christian teachings. Thus, you will explore many questions of theology, such as:

• How did Paul view God and His relationship to the world?
• What impact did Paul’s Jewish faith have on his later Christian understanding?
• Where did Paul’s own views come from?
• What are the main aspects of Paul’s understanding of Jesus as the Messiah and Lord?

Through this unique audio course, you will come to know and understand Paul and his writings as never before.

Fr. Ronald D. Witherup, S.S., Ph.D., is currently Superior General of the Sulpician Order, an international group of Catholic priests A former dean and professor of Sacred Scripture at St. Patrick Seminary in Menlo Park, Calif., he received his doctorate in biblical studies from Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, VA. Fr. Witherup’s many books include The Bible Companion: A Handbook for Beginners, Matthew: God With Us , the award-winning Biblical Fundamentalism: What Every Catholic Should Know, and 101 Questions & Answers on Paul. His most recent books are Scripture: Dei Verbum, St. Paul: Called to Conversion and Stations of the Cross According to Saint Paul.

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• Introduction

• The World of Paul

• Method of the Study of Paul

• The life of Paul

• In the footsteps of Saint Paul: Archeology and Paul’s World

• Paul’s Letters

• The Conversion or Call of Paul

• No Lone Ranger: Paul’s Companions

• On the Road Again: Paul’s Journeys

• Paul’s Theology

• Paul’s Christology

• Paul’s Understanding of the Holy Spirit

• Paul’s Understanding of Church

• Paul’s Anthropology: His Understanding of the Human Person

• Paul and the Law

• Paul and the Spiritual Life I

• Paul and the Spiritual Life II

• Paul’s Understanding of the End Times

• Paul’s Ethics

• Three Thorny Ethical Questions

• Paul as a Pastor

• A Thematic Overview of Paul’s Letters

• The History of Interpretation of Paul

• Paul’s Legacy

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