Press Kit Interview
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Q. What are you announcing and why is it important?
A. I am announcing my new book, Paul the Allegorist: Galatians 4:21–31 and Its Implications for Understanding Paul as an Interpreter of Scripture. It is important because it helps resolve a debate ongoing for nearly two millennia concerning what Paul does in Galatians 4:21–31 and why it matters for understanding him as an interpreter. In my book, I identify Paul’s interpretive work, explain how he used his allegorical practice to accomplish it and reveal the implications of this practice for understanding him as an interpreter of Scripture.
Q. Who are the primary audiences for your book?
A. The primary audiences for this book are those who are interested in Galatians 4:21–31, Paul as an interpreter of Scripture, or the use of allegory in the New Testament. I write in an accessible style that avoids technical jargon and insider language. I clearly define all terms and concepts for readers. For these reasons, it is written for audiences who are interested rather than for those who have a certain level of knowledge about Paul or Galatians.
Q. What do you hope readers will learn from your book?
A. I hope readers learn a clear understanding of how and why Paul participated in an ancient interpretive practice of allegory when interpreting the events of Genesis 16–21 within Galatians 4:21–31. Accordingly, I hope readers come to better understand Paul as an interpreter in his own world.
Q. Is this book a historical or theological book?
A. I am hesitant to make such a distinction. The question also raises another: our history and theology or Paul’s? Having said this, I would describe this book as focusing on Paul in his own historical context including his theology. I believe a close reading also reveals a lesson for our modern discussion of theology: sometimes, we can interpret biblical characters and their writings through our own hermeneutical standards while claiming to use theirs.
Q. This book has a lot of footnotes. What purpose do they serve?
A. This book began as my doctoral thesis, and I have heavily edited it for this release. Doctoral projects require a lot of information and all of it should be helpful. I have a lot of footnotes because I have moved (and condensed) a lot of the “show your work” information to the footnotes. I encourage you to read the footnotes, of course, but feel free to skim the long lists you sometimes find within them.
Q. How did you select your topic?
A. I selected this topic because I was interested in Paul and in Galatians 4:21–31. I always wondered about Paul’s method in this passage: was it allegory or something else? I also wondered how this passage impacted the conversations surrounding Paul as an interpreter of Scripture.
Q. What is your favorite section of the book and why?
A. I have two. They are the introduction and the conclusion. I believe they summarize the project and explain its contributions well. If someone only has time or interest to read two sections, read those two.
Q. What did you find to be the most challenging part of writing this book?
A. The most challenging part of the book was finding, as best I could, and engaging everything that ever had been written on Galatians 4:21–31. I am contributing to a conversation many already are having (or have had) with their own meaningful research, and I wanted my project to reflect this perspective that I hold. It is a delicate balance to always engage, to sometimes critique, and yet never give up trying to offer new or better pathways for understanding.
Q. Describe your book in one sentence.
A. My book will teach you about Paul’s allegorical practice in Galatians 4:21–31 and how it impacts our understanding of him as an interpreter of Scripture.