"The Greco-Roman world was shaped by ideals and abstract ideas. The apostle Paul left them behind. But they continue to shape evangelical teaching and practice." "This picture contradicts the common impression of Paul as an abstract theologian, someone who wrestled with deep theological doctrine while hovering six feet above everyday reality. But in fact, it was the philosophers of Paul's day - and even some of Paul's Christian opponents - who traded heavily in abstractions, one-way rhetoric and top-down hierarchies while depreciating the currency of everyday reality. By contrast, Paul the tentmaker was a conversationalist of God's good news, a story-teller of Jesus Christ, an apostle who walked the avenues and back alleys of everyday reality. His passion was for communities of grace and conversation where the new reality of Christ was explored and embodied within the daily messiness of life." "Reframing Paul unveils this Paul in his original context and invites us to engage him in new terms. Courageously it draws Paul into vital conversation with contemporary evangelicalism. This is a book for those who wonder why people leave churches for alternative spiritual paths - and who may even be tempted to do so themselves. More than anything, it's for those who wonder what's gone wrong and want to learn from Paul how the church can be an attractive community of transforming grace and conversation."--BOOK JACKET.