Churches often find themselves in the middle of conflict. These conflicts can exist between people within the church, between the leaders and congregation, or even between churches themselves. Leaders often turn to Scripture for guidance in resolving these conflicts. However, the Bible does not outline or even discuss conflict management. In fact, various biblical figures--from ancient Israelite kings to New Testament apostles--all uniquely approach conflict. Does the Bible have a "theory of conflict management"? In Conflict Management and the Apostle Paul, the authors explore how Paul approached conflicts with his close associates like Barnabas and Peter, and with his mission churches like those in Galatia and Corinth. Conflict Management and the Apostle Paul distinctively sketches how various theories of conflict management used today shed light on Paul's own approaches to conflict while also evaluating the conflicts themselves. The authors in this volume are pastors and church workers who themselves bring their own experiences with conflict into play as they seek wisdom from the New Testament.

This book is a literary and historical exegesis of Paul's apostolic paradigm in 1 Corinthians 9. The author argues that chapter 9 is part and parcel of Paul's unified arguments of 1 Corinthians 8-10, which are written to mediate in a dispute over food offered to idols. The questions of how the dispute emerged, how Paul arranges his arguments in the three chapters, and what role 1 Corinthians 9 has in the overall discourse are addressed carefully in the book. Moreover, the question of why Paul and his coworkers did not receive financial support from his audience, which was contrary to the practice of the other missionaries and the normal workforce of the time, and of why he uses such a practice as an example to be imitated by those insisting on their right to eat food offered to idols, are dealt with judiciously. Based on his exegesis of 1 Corinthians 9, the author furthermore attempts to see the relevance of 1 Corinthians 9 for dispute resolution today, taking the conflict within his own church as an example.

This book is a practical resource to help leaders manage, resolve cnflicts and reconcile the parties involved. Essential skills to accomplish this goal are embedded in discussion of major concepts and descriptions of real life situations.

This book is a literary and historical exegesis of Paul's apostolic paradigm in 1 Corinthians 9. The author argues that chapter 9 is part and parcel of Paul's unified arguments of 1 Corinthians 8-10, which are written to mediate in a dispute over food offered to idols. The questions of how the dispute emerged, how Paul arranges his arguments in the three chapters, and what role 1 Corinthians 9 has in the overall discourse are addressed carefully in the book. Moreover, the question of why Paul and his coworkers did not receive financial support from his audience, which was contrary to the practice of the other missionaries and the normal workforce of the time, and of why he uses such a practice as an example to be imitated by those insisting on their right to eat food offered to idols, are dealt with judiciously. Based on his exegesis of 1 Corinthians 9, the author furthermore attempts to see the relevance of 1 Corinthians 9 for dispute resolution today, taking the conflict within his own church as an example.

Provides a concise resource on the biblical teachings of conflict.

This, then, is not just a book about conflict; it is also a book about caring. It is a book that explains why conflict develops, often among some of the finest people and in some of the best churches. What may be unique is that the book also suggests how conflict and caring interact. Caring is not only advocated, but described within various types of conflict. This is not an easy task. We often don't know of an appropriate expression of caring in a particular conflict.