A study of the structure of Paul's theology of Jesus' resurrection as that doctrine forms the center of Paul's total theology.

This work is organized as follows: I. The Structure of the Pauline Eschatology II. The Interaction Between Eschatology and Soteriology III. The Religious and Ethical Motivation of Paul’s Eschatology IV. The Coming of the Lord and Its Precursors V. The Man of Sin VI. The Resurrection VII. Alleged Development in Paul’s Teaching on the Resurrection VIII. The Resurrection-Change IX. The Extent of the Resurrection X. The Question of Chiliasm, in Paul XI. The Judgment XII. The Eternal State Appendix: The Eschatology of the Psalter

The series Beihefte zur Zeitschrift für die neutestamentliche Wissenschaft (BZNW) is one of the oldest and most highly regarded international scholarly book series in the field of New Testament studies. Since 1923 it has been a forum for seminal works focusing on Early Christianity and related fields. The series is grounded in a historical-critical approach and also explores new methodological approaches that advance our understanding of the New Testament and its world.

Amid increasing interaction between Eastern and Western theologians, several recent biblical interpreters have characterized Paul's soteriology as theosis, or deification, harking back to patristic interpretations of Paul. In this book Ben C. Blackwell critically evaluates that interpretation as he explores the anthropological dimension of Paul's soteriology. Blackwell first examines two major Greek patristic interpreters of Paul -- Irenaeus and Cyril of Alexandria -- to clarify what deification entails and to determine which Pauline texts they used to support their soteriological constructions. The book then focuses on Paul's soteriology expressed in Romans 8 and 2 Corinthians 3-5 (with excursuses on other passages) and explores how believers embody Christ's death and life, his suffering and glory, through the Spirit. Blackwell concludes by comparing the patristic view of deification with Paul's soteriology arising from the biblical texts, noting both substantial overlap and key differences.

"This book began as four lectures given for the annual School of Theology of Oak Hill Theological College, London, in May 2004, later expanded to five lectures given at the Seventh Annual Pastors Conference, sponored by the session of the Auburn Avenue Presbyterian Church, Monroe, Louisiana, in January 2005"--Preface to the first edition, page xv.