Zacchaeus Studies: New Testament

Mary Ann Getty, Editor

This biographical analysis of Paul focuses on Luke's por-trait of his hero in the Acts of the Apostles rather than on data from the Pauline epistles. Paul was a gifted mission-ary, an effective founder of new Christian communities, but he kept getting into trouble with the authorities. Paul's claira of fidelity to Jewish tradition also complicated his public relations. His successes were accompanied by en-tangling accusations about his religious orthodoxy. His legal battles landed him in prison and eventually shut down his far-flung ministry. Hounded by his enemies, his character took on the shape of his preoccupation-defending himself against accusations. This is how Luke understands Paul's likeness to Jesus: as a witness giving a defense and explanation of himself to "the ends of the earth."

Sr. Marie-Eloise Rosenblatt, R.S.M., teaches New Testa ment at Santa Clara University. She is the editor of Where Can We Find Her: Searching for Women's Identity in the New Church (Paulist, 1991).

"Sr. Marie-Eloise is a New Testament scholar who writes with passion, sensitivity and clarity, and in Paul the Accused gives us a moving portrait of Paul as witness, and of Luke/Acts in the context of its Jewish and Roman milieu, that is balanced and fair. It is a useful contribution to the literature in the field.