Renowned—But . . .
The Church of Corinth in the First Century AD and Its Relevance for the Twenty-First-Century Church
Imprint: Cascade Books
Here is the inside story of the only New Testament church we know about in detail during both the 50s and the 90s of the first century AD. What did the church of Corinth look like forty years after it was founded by the apostle Paul? Did his positive influence in this church continue after he left Corinth--or did some of the earlier problems still haunt the church? And are there some timeless lessons we can learn from this church's early history? All those questions are answered here in a fascinating detective investigation that includes thirteen captivating archaeological photos.
Murray J. Harris is Professor Emeritus of New Testament Exegesis and Theology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois. Formerly he was director of Tyndale House, a biblical research library in Cambridge (UK) and a faculty member of the Divinity School in the University of Cambridge. He has written commentaries on the Greek text of Colossians and Philemon, Second Corinthians, and John’s Gospel. He was one of the NIV translators.
“Murray Harris . . . has provided us with a wonderful synthesis of his vast knowledge of the church at Corinth during the first century AD and how the church in the twenty-first century can apply that knowledge. He succinctly and accurately integrates historical, geographical, and archaeological information about the city and its residents. . . . The church today (laypersons, students, and pastors) will benefit from the many mature and thoughtful insights shared by Harris.”
—Carl Rasmussen, Bethel University, emeritus
“Once again, Murray Harris delivers erudite scholarship and insight into the complex world of Corinthian Christianity in the first century. Every preacher must wrestle with the Corinthian model of church, learning as much from their mistakes as well as their example. Harris’s exceptional exegesis brings to life the relationship Paul had with the church he planted, and his visits and letters written to correct and encourage their witness. Gold-star exegesis at its best.”
—Brian N. Winslade, Deputy Secretary General, World Evangelical Alliance
“This economical treatise reaps the harvest of a lifetime of scholarly study on three continents. Harris compiles a concise summation of Paul’s Corinthian letters (AD 50s) and shows how Clement of Rome addresses the same church in the AD 90s. The happy result is a crisp exposition of both Pauline letters, a glimpse into the history of the post-apostolic era, and a valuable list of application points for today. An outstanding handbook from a premier exegete and wise spiritual guide.”
—Robert W. Yarbrough, Covenant Theological Seminary
“Murray Harris is a master teacher. With disciplined historical imagination and profound pastoral insight, he brings the first-century Corinthian assembly to life, and from its long struggle to embody the gospel draws out lessons of urgent relevance to the twenty-first-century church. As one who had the privilege to be his student, I am delighted to see Harris’s wise, learned, and engaging lectures made available to a wide audience.”
—J. Ross Wagner, Duke Divinity School
“Paul’s interactions with the church at Corinth provide the context for two of the most important letters of Paul. Murray Harris, who has been thinking and writing about the Corinthian correspondence for many decades, packs into this slim volume a wealth of information about the city and the early Christian letters written to the Christians there. The book provides a marvelous overview as well as appropriate points of application for today’s church.”
—Douglas J. Moo, Wheaton College
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