Pauline studies are in a conundrum. The Reformation perspectives championed by great men like Martin Luther and John Calvin have been challenged recently by the rise of the new perspective on Paul. The main point of contention seems to be the place of biblical law in salvation. While the Reformation perspectives, based in part on Paul's apparent attacks on law, assert that salvation is a free gift unmerited by human works, the new perspective suggests the law is an integral part of the work of salvation. It holds that Paul's attacks on the law were focused only on specific aspects of law, the so-called boundary markers. This book, while having points of contact with both outlooks, takes a different view on Paul and the law. Building on Paul's self-identification as a Christian, and Christian views on the covenant, it endeavors to give biblical law its due place in the plan of salvation and the life of the believer. ""This book is timely since it emerges on the eve of the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation. If its strong Bible-based propositions are genuinely and completely accepted, the result will be a radical paradigm shift in the teaching and practice of Paul's writings. Indeed, a library on contemporary Pauline studies and New Testament scholarship is incomplete without it."" --Ikechukwu Michael Oluikpe, the Northern Caribbean University, Jamaica ""Papaioannou's Israel, Covenant, Law comes as an academic celebration of the Protestant Reformation's quincentenary in 2017. It dashes trough the pros and cons of the old and the new perspectives on Paul, creating a tenable new way of looking at the Pauline theological design with regards to law, covenant, Israel, and salvation. The author is diligent in exegesis and considerate towards practical aspects that derive from it."" -- Laurenţiu Moţ, Dean, Adventist Theological Institute, Cernica, Romania ""Kim Papaioannou is honest and right in saying that this book may change the way you see Pauline theology and exegesis. His Greek native background gives a refreshing meaning to koine Greek expressions, and his historical academic background gives the book a scholarly weight, which have to be considered by those who seriously study Pauline theology. His direct exegetical approach to difficult passages gives a new perspective on practical issues for daily life and salvation."" --Luis Ivan Martinez-Toledo, Vista University, Mexico ""Theologians have been debating for 2,000 years about what Paul really meant. Sometimes these debates only complicate the understanding of the great apostle. Kim Papaioannou, on the other hand, answers many difficult questions regarding Paul's writings in a very clear and easy way. His approach is so simple, but at the same time his arguments are so convincing that when you read his book you inevitably ask yourself: how did I not think of it myself? I must confess I began to understand Paul only after I read this book "" --Felix Poniatowski, Vice President for Academics in Ukrainian Institute of Arts and Sciences Kim Papaioannou holds a PhD in Theology with an emphasis in the New Testament from the University of Durham in England. He has served as church minister and professor of theology in Europe and Asia for over twenty years.
