Transcendence and Fulfillment: A Critique of Paul's Seven Pillars of Wisdom and Their Enduring Relevance

Farley's Transcendence and Fulfillment captures one's immediate attention, especially with his designation of Paul's ""Seven Pillars of Wisdom."" Readers will find his selection intriguing and illuminating. While being faithful to Paul's self-understanding and theological views, Farley offers a constructive and critical examination of the pillars' relevance for Paul's time as well as our own. The author blends biblical insight with a range of classical and contemporary philosophical opinion. In doing so, he draws on Plato and Cicero's wisdom, in addition to the critical works of Kierkegaard, Heidegger, Marcel, and Berdyaev. Students and professors of Paul's life and theology, along with clergy and lay admirers of Paul's views, will find Farley's book a useful resource for a provocative yet spiritually rich journey, true to Paul's teachings and of enduring relevance. ""In this unique book, Farley presents Paul's 'seven pillars of wisdom,' which encompass the apostles' essential convictions, and poses the probing question: Can one still find insight in his message, in his pillars of wisdom, sufficient on which to build one's house of existence? Farley's examination of the seven pillars leads him to interact with many thinkers and scholars who have explored the relation of transcendence and fulfillment in human lives. A truly engaging study!"" --Donald K. McKim, Author of John Calvin: A Companion to His Life and Theology ""In this study of St. Paul, Ben Farley takes his readers on a different and challenging journey. Recommended, especially for students of theology and philosophy."" --Mack Branham, President Emeritus, Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary Benjamin W. Farley is Younts Professor Emeritus of Philosophy and Religion, Erskine College, in Due West, South Carolina. He is the author of Jesus as Man, Myth, and Metaphor, In Praise of Virtue, In the Twilight with God, and numerous other scholarly works, including two books of meditation: Fairest Lord Jesus and By the Waters of Babylon.

Benjamin W. Farley is Younts Professor Emeritus of Philosophy and Religion, Erskine College, in Due West, South Carolina. He is the author of Jesus as Man, Myth, and Metaphor, In Praise of Virtue, In the Twilight with God, and numerous other scholarly works, including two books of meditation: Fairest Lord Jesus and By the Waters of Babylon.