353 - Pauline Theology: Ministry and Society

Pauline Theology: Ministry and Society
By E. Earle Ellis
Grand Rapids, Eerdmans, 1989.182 pp. $14.95.

A disjointed series of lectures, the five chapters ("Ministry for the Coming Age," "The Spirit and the Gifts," "Paul and the Eschatological Woman…. Ministry and Church Order," and "Pauline Christianity and the World Order") cannot be said to present Pauline theology. Insisting upon Pauline authorship of all thirteen epistles, with the pastorals shaped by new issues, traditions, and Luke's role as amanuensis, Ellis treatment of ministry is synthetic and heavily weighted toward a spirit-endowed unity that includes order and subordination. He firmly rejects any suggestion that ministry, whether in Paul or Jesus, is oriented toward transformation of the larger society. Consequently, questions about appropriate roles for women can only be answered within the scriptural framework. Ellis squares the obvious importance of women as witnesses to the gospel in Paul's letters with the subordination language of I Cor. 14:33-36 and the Pastorals by treating the issues as examples of a "household code" ethic. Christian women are not permitted to query husbands who are active as prophets in the church. Other exegetical claims are equally controversial. This book should provide a lively counterpoint to both the standard liberal and conservative treatments in courses on Paul's view of ministry.

Pheme Perkins
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, Mass