A Man of Tarsus. Life and Work of Paul.

Though said to have been short in physical stature, Paul of Tarsus stands tall, a commanding figure second only to the Master himself in the history of the Christian faith. Even Peter, the big Galilean fisherman, seems to recede in importance after the man from Tarsus arrives on the scene.

This is an introductory study to the life and work of Paul. It sketches briefly the formative influences in his life and takes note of the major events and crises of his career as a missionary and an apostle. It follows him as he journeys, looks over his shoulder as he writes, and tries to get at least the “flavor” of his basic convictions.

With the exception of the chapter titles, the main outline framework of headings has been drawn by direct quotation from the letters of Paul and the Book of Acts, our chief sources of knowledge about him. These sources have been quoted freely by deliberate intention. To become saturated with them is to know Paul—to think and feel with him in his world.

The literature about Paul is vast, and the author acknowledges his indebtedness to many standard resources which have been consulted freely though with a minimum of direct quotation in the interests of simplicity.

The limitations of this work will be apparent to all who have undertaken a more detailed study, or who have wrestled with a hundred problems by-passed here. This work makes no other claim than to be a simple, get-acquainted approach to Paul, whom to know fully is a lifetime venture.

Harold L. Phillips [From the Preface]