Caring for Communities of Faith in Paul's Letters and the Significance of the Letter to Philemon

The enduring relevance of Paul's letters extends beyond their ancient origins, challenging modern readers to engage with historical and contemporary issues alike.

In this episode, host Nijay Gupta sits down with Dennis Edwards, associate professor of New Testament, vice president for Church Relations, and dean at North Park Theological Seminary in Chicago, to explore the lasting impact of Paul's letters and the nuances they bring to cultural stereotypes.

Edwards also highlights the often-overlooked Catholic (non-Pauline) epistles and examines how contemporary communities can draw wisdom from these ancient texts. His own pastoral background enriches the discussion, bringing a grounded and engaging perspective to Pauline scholarship. 

Their conversation features the importance of contextual interpretation, the pastoral heart of Paul's writings, and how black scholars are paving the way for richer biblical interpretation.

Tune in to understand how Paul's letters continue to speak powerfully into today's cultural landscapes.

This episode highlights the following themes:

• The importance of contextual interpretation from a diversity of communities
• Navigating cynicism as a scholar and pastor
• The pastoral nature of Paul's letters and their relevance today

Links from this episode:

• Get to know more about Dennis Edwards: https://www.ivpress.com/dennis-r-edwards
• Read 1 Peter Commentary by Dennis Edwards: https://amzn.to/4bZGNHg
• Read Might from the Margins: The Gospel's Power to Turn the Tables on Injustice by Dennis Edwards: https://amzn.to/4e0Q3g1
• Read Humility Illuminated: The Biblical Path Back to Christian Character by Dennis Edwards: https://www.ivpress.com/humility-illuminated
• Read New Testament in Color by Esau McCaulley, Janette Ok, Osvaldo Padilla, Amy Peeler: https://www.ivpress.com/the-new-testament-in-color
• Read Reading While Black by Esau McCaulley: https://www.ivpress.com/reading-while-black
• Read Book reference – Bonhoeffer's Black Jesus: Harlem Renaissance Theology and an Ethic of Resistance by Reggie Williams: https://amzn.to/3yAfAfF
• Read The IVP Bible Dictionary Series: https://www.ivpress.com/the-ivp-bible-dictionary-series
• Read The Dictionary of Paul and His Letters, 2nd Edition by ​​Scot McKnight, Lynn Cohick and Nijay Gupta: https://www.ivpress.com/dictionary-of-paul-and-his-letters 

As an Amazon Associate, this channel earns commissions from qualifying purchases when you use the links above.

Links and Credits

✅ Special offer: Visit ivpress.com and use the code IVPOD25 for 25% off any IVP resource mentioned in this episode.

✅ Producers: Alexandra Horn and Travis Albritton

✅ Sound Engineering: Honest Podcasts

✅ Production Assistants: Christine Pelliccio Melo and Jack Reece

✅ Social Media Manager: Allie Noble

✅ Podcast Art: Brad Joiner

✅ Theme Song: "Trip Don't Fall" by Midnight Daydream

Disclaimer: The comments, views, and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and/or the guests featured on the podcast and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of InterVarsity Press or InterVarsity Christian Fellowship.