Annotated Bibliography

Resources on Galatians and Paul

Bruce, F. F. 1982. The Epistle to the Galatians: A Commentary on the Greek Text, New International Greek Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans Pub. Co.

Commentary on Greek text of Galatians that goes word by word to inflect the meaning of the passage.

Bush, Daniel and Noel Due. 2015. Live in Liberty: The Spiritual Message of Galatians. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.

Commentary on the Epistle to the Galatians.

Fesko, J. V. 2012. Galatians, The Lectio Continua Expository Commentary on the New Testament. Edited by Jon D. Payne. Powder Springs, GA: Tolle Lege Press

Commentary on the Epistle to the Galatians.

Francis, Fred O. and J. Paul Samply. 1984. Pauline Parallels. Minneapolis MN: Fortress Press.

This books shows the parallel passages in the epistles of Paul. This helps in study to know where else Paul wrote about a subject to clearly see all the apostle wrote about one subject.

Kahl, Brigitte. 2014. Galatians Re-Imagined: Reading with the Eyes of the Vanquished. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press.

Kahl helps us unpack the themes of Roman ideology and see the imagery that Paul uses for the time period it comes from. Kahl helps the reader see Galatians as it would have been received by some one there when Paul wrote the epistle. This helps us better understand the letter and its implications.

Lopez, Davina C. 2010. Apostle to the Conquered: Reimagining Paul’s Mission. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press.

Lopez helps us see Paul’s use of imagery shows us a reimagination of Paul’s mission and how his language shows solidarity with defeated people. Lopez helps us understand the true nature of Paul’s inclusion.

Luther, Martin.2019. Commentary on Galatians. Translated by Theodore Graebner. Digireads.com Publishing.

Luther’s commentary on Paul’s letter to the Galatians gives us an understanding of what Luther believed Paul was saying in this letter. It is foundational for Lutheran scholarship to read Luther on the subject.

Marchal, Joseph A. ed. 2012. Studying Paul’s Letters: Contemporary Perspectives and Methods. Minneapolis, MN; Fortress Press.

This book helps us get a new perspective on understanding Paul. It sheds light on how we interpret Paul and the ways we could have misinterpreted him over time.

Sanders, E.P. 2015. Paul: The Apostle’s Life, Letters, and Thought. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press.

Sanders gives us a historical view of the apostle Paul and then breaks down each letter to help us understand what Paul intended in his writings to get us past what we have been taught.

Sanders, E.P. 1991. Paul: A Brief Insight. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

A brief understanding of Paul, his mission, his writings, and what he meant. An overview of his life and a starting point for understanding Paul.

Sanders, E.P. 1991. Paul: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Sanders takes what we think we know about Paul and interprets that along with unpacking Paul’s fundamental convictions. Sanders helps us see Paul in a way that has been hidden from us.

Sanders, E.P. 2017. Paul and Palestinian Judaism: A Comparison of Patterns of Religion. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press.

Sanders looks at Paul as a Temple Period Jewish man and how that impacts Paul’s mission to the Gentiles. Sanders gives us new insights into understanding Paul and his wording and imagery.

Sanders, E.P. 1983. Paul, the Law, and the Jewish People. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press.

Sanders helps us understand who Paul was as a Jew and how that impacts the words Paul used to speak to the congregations he was addressing in his epistles. Paul’s background and understanding impacts the words and imagery he used and Sanders helps us understand that to better understand the message Paul was conveying.

Smith, Eric C. 2019. Paul the Progressive? The Compassionate Christian’s Guide to Reclaiming the Apostle as an Ally. Saint Louis, Missouri: Chalice Press.

This book helps us see Paul as the radical progressive he really was, trying to help communities see and understand that Jesus meant all people when he said all. Paul is used to keep certain groups of people as not part or not fully part of the body of Christ and I do not believe Paul intended that.

Wallace, Daniel B. 1996. Greek Grammar Beyond the Basics. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan.

A look into the particular cases and words used in passages to understand the nuances of the language used by the author.

Wilson, Todd. 2013. Galatians: Gospel-Rooted Living, Preaching the Word. Edited by. R. Kent Hughes. Wheaton, IL: Crossway.

Commentary on the Epistle to the Galatians.

Wood, Michael. 2011. Paul on Homosexuality. Tubi Publishing, LLC.

This is a book that claims to tell what Paul taught and believed about homosexuality. Breaking down many walls and giving information on a variety of topics. A useful reading to understanding Paul and homosexuality.

Other Resources

Akerley, Ben Edward. 1998. The X-Rated Bible: An Irreverent Survey of Sex in the Scriptures. Los Angeles, CA: Ferel House.

This book shows us the X-rated material that exists in the Bible and shows us how God exists in things we think our children should not know about.

Althaus-Reid, Marcella. 2000. Indecent Theology: Theological Perversions in Sex, Gender, and Politics. New York: Routledge.

This book explores the theological understanding of God in our time by radically using sexual stories to tell how God is present in all things.

Althaus-Reid, Marcella. 2003. The Queer God. New York: Routledge.

This book explores the theological understanding of God in our time by radically queering God. It is a concept that shows us God is present in all things.

Barr, Beth Allison. 2021. The Making of Biblical Womanhood : How the Subjugation of Women Became Gospel Truth. Grand Rapids, Michigan, Brazos Press, A Division Of Baker Publishing Group.

This book helps us understand neither male nor female and helps us see that the patriarchy is a biblical concept that does not pertain to our time and is something we as current followers of Christ need to end. Scripture has been used to keep people in a place that allows power to be held by white men, and this book helps us see that clearer.

Brueggemann, Walter. 1982. Genesis. Westminster John Knox Press.

This is a commentary on Genesis from the Interpretation series for preaching and teaching. Brueggemann is a know Hebrew scripture scholar who brings light to the first book of the Bible.

Bruesehoff, Jamie. 2023. Raising Kids Beyond the Binary: Celebrating God’s Transgender and Gender-Diverse Children. Minneapolis: Broadleaf Books.

This book speaks directly to the fact that there are people who do not fit within the traditional binary categories of society and are still God’s children. While this book is focused on raising children it is helpful for all people to see the need to forget that not everyone fits into society’s, or our boxes and look through the eyes of God.

Coogan, Michael. 2010.God & Sex: What the Bible Really Says. New York, NY: Hachette Book Group.

This book helps us understand the contradictory statements in the Bible about Sex. Coogan helps us understand the different passages and how they work together.

Creach, Jerome F. D. 2013. Violence in the Scripture. Louisville, Kentucky: Westminster John Knox Press.

This book helps us understand the violence in the scripture and then reflect on ho God is an angry or vengeful God. Creach helps us think theologically about the violence in the Bible and why it is there and how we should interpret the implications of it for our life today.

Daly, Mary. 1973. Beyond God the Father: Toward a Philosophy of Women’s Liberation. Boston, Massachusetts: Beacon Press.

Daly gave us a philosophy of life that was an introduction into Feminist thought. She lays out an understanding of God that helps all of us see how God created and wants us to interact as God’s creation. Her liberating thoughts on life and God have an impact on all genders.

Fretheim, Terence E. 2010. Creation Untamed: The Bible, God, and Natural Disasters. Grand Rapids: Baker.

This book gives insight into creation and how God works in the world. It will offer insights into how we misinterpret the texts of the Bible and use them in ways God probably didn’t intend.

Gnuse, Robert Karl. 2015. “Seven Gay Texts: Biblical Passages Used to Condemn Homosexuality.” Biblical Theology Bulletin 45 (2): 68–87. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146107915577097.

This article speaks directly to the passages used to harm individuals in the LGBTQIA2S+ community. This article helps us understand the meaning behind biblical texts and how we have misused them to not allow for full inclusion of all of God’s children.

Gnuse, Robert Karl. 2016. Trajectories of Justice: What the Bible Says About Slaves, Women, and Homosexuality. London: Lutterworth Press.

To use the Bible to condemn people is a misuse of scripture. This resource speaks directly to the way the Bible has been, and still is, used to condemn people and that is not what scripture was intended to do. We need to see the texts in the way that love is made known.

Johnson, Elizabeth A. 1992/2002. She Who Is: The Mystery of God in Feminist Theological Discourse. New York: Cross Roads Publishing.

Johnson dives deeper into the understanding of Feminist Theology and helps us all see God is not male and should not be considered so. Johnson helps us all see that God includes all peoples, and genders. She guides us to proper speech aboud God and God’s creation.

Ladin, Joy. “In the Image of God, God Created Them: Toward Trans Theology.” Journal of Feminist Studies in Religion 34, no. 1 (2018): 53–58. https://doi.org/10.2979/jfemistudreli.34.1.06.

Martin, Colby. 2016. Un Clobber: Rethinking Our Misuse of the Bible on Homosexuality.  Louisville, Kentucky: Westminster John Knox Press.

The Clobber passages are the ones that are used by all evangelical Christians to say that homosexuality is wrong and keep those who are created by God away from the body of Christ. Our misuse of scripture has caused a disaster we need to rectify.

Nissinen, Martin, 1998. Homoeroticism in the Biblical World: A Historical Perspective. Translated by Kirsi Stjerna. Minneapolis: Fortress Press.

This book gives us an understanding of sexual practices in biblical times and also relates them to today. It helps us see a picture of practices we do not understand because they are not from the time we live in.

Punt, Jeremy. “POWER AND LIMINALITY, SEX AND GENDER, AND GAL 3:28. A POSTCOLONIAL, QUEER READING OF AN INFLUENTIAL TEXT.” Neotestamentica 44, no. 1 (2010): 140–66. http://www.jstor.org/stable/43048740.

Ruether, Rosemary Raford. 1983. Sexism and God-Talk toward A feminist Theology. Boston, Massachusetts: Beacon Press.

This book was an introduction into the discussion of the day of Feminist Theology. Ruether was a pioneer in helping us understand God from a non mal centered view and helped us see the priesthood of all believers most definitely included women.

Sarna, Nahum M. 1989. The JPS Torah Commentary: Genesis. Philadelphia, PA: The Jewish Publication Society.

Commentary on book of Genesis that includes Hebrew with translation of text.

Trible, Phyllis. 1984. Texts of Terror. Fortress Press.

This books helps us take a look at 4 stories of women in ancient Israel and reinterpret them to challenge the patriarchy system of the Bible and help us see the inclusion of woman from the creation. Our misinterpretation of the scripture has deep reaching impact that we need to unlearn.

Westermann, Claus. 1994. Genesis 1-11. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press.

Commentary on Genesis.