Investigating Paul’s backstory

The difficulty of interpreting Galatians arises, at least in part, from the way historical uncertainty collides with theology. That is, one’s reconstruction of Paul’s opponents impacts how one understands the epistle.

Similarly, an understanding of Paul’s relationship with Peter and James precedes an interpretation of key passages. But these underlying historical questions are hard to answer because events prior to Galatians remain less accessible than those surrounding Paul’s later writings.

Paul Barnett, a leading historian of early Christianity, investigates the period sometimes labelled the “unknown years” of Paul’s ministry (i.e. the 14 years between his Damascus Road experience and first missionary journey), in order to provide a foundation for interpreting Galatians. He convincingly accounts for Paul’s activities during that span, and offers a compelling interpretation of sections of Galatians based on his reconstruction. Keep reading