The Pastoral Epistles Through the Centuries

The New Testament letters to Timothy and Titus, known collectively as the Pastoral Epistles, have had a subtle but profound effect upon Christian culture. In these letters the work and thought of the historical Paul is extended for the Church, its ministers and its society, in the post-Apostolic age. The Pastoral Epistles Through the Centuries explores the important role of the Pastorals in the development of early Christianity and in the much broader impact and influence these letters have had throughout the ages. This commentary surveys the many theological, cultural, literary, political, and artistic uses of the Pastorals, offering both an overview of their place in the tradition and an in-depth study of key moments in the interpretation history of their most important passages. In the process we learn about the Pastorals' complex influence on church structures and rites, the roles of women in Christian religious life, the authority of scripture, the development of monastic orders and much more. We also discover the many ways in which language and concepts from the Pastoral Epistles (such as "fight the good fight" and "the root of all evils") have filtered into the cultural vernacular more generally. Drawing on scholarly insights and a comprehensive array of texts from the entirety of Christian tradition, The Pastoral Epistles Through the Centuries explores the rich legacy of the Pastorals as it has unfolded over the centuries.Twomey, Jay is the author of 'The Pastoral Epistles Through the Centuries', published 2009 under ISBN 9781405126144 and ISBN 1405126140.