THE WEIRD APOSTLE

The Apostle Paul, also known as Saint Paul, is one of the most influential humans in history. Yet he is also one of the most misunderstood and misrepresented characters of all time.

Historically, Paul has been framed as a Western-minded, modern Christian on a mission to start a new religion. That’s the familiar Paul. The Weird Apostle presents Paul in a way that makes him quite weird compared to traditional portrayals. Ryan Lambert suggests Paul was a Torah-observant Jewish man who functioned entirely within Judaism as the apostle to the Gentiles. Not only can this less familiar view of Paul help readers better understand this unique, global game changer, but making Paul weird again can also help counter historical trends and modern voices that use Paul’s writings, intentionally or otherwise, to advance anti-Semitic and anti-Judaism perspectives.

Christians, Jews, and anyone interested in this incredible influencer have much to gain by doing the hard work of reframing Paul in terms that are less customary but more faithful to his ancient Jewish and Greco-Roman context.

Chapters Include:

1. Paul’s Weird Background

2. Paul’s Weird Flash Moment

3. Paul’s Weird Mission

4. Paul’s Weird Message

5. Paul’s Weird View of Time

6. Paul’s Weird Lifestyle

7. Paul’s Weird Rule

Praise for The Weird Apostle

"Anyone curious about the Jewishness of Paul in his first-century context, or wrestling with the role of Jewishness for followers of Jesus today, will be deeply challenged and richly rewarded by engaging Ryan Lambert's clear, concise, and well-informed analysis."

- Mark D. Nanos (PhD), a Jewish historian focused on the study of Paul and the implications of his voice for Jewish-Christian relations.

“Finally, a book that is able to simplify the latest on Pauline scholarship that brings the Apostle back to his Judaism. A must read for Christians and those involved in the world of Jewish-Christian relations.”

- David Nekrutman, an American-Israeli Orthodox Jewish theologian specializing in Jewish-Christian relations and Director of The Isaiah Projects.

“Insightful and practical, The Weird Apostle will give you a new perspective on Paul, a new love for the Scriptures, and will help you embrace your own inner weirdo.”

- Dave Adamson, Christian author, pastor, and Orange Director for Australia and New Zealand.