A detailed exploration of both Paul the Apostle and his world in the first century Paul: The Apostle to the Gentiles places Paul's life and teachings in historical context while examining the origin and evolution of the systematic theology that became the basis for the establishment of Orthodox Christianity, the Catholic Church, and the Protestant Reformation. Covering early Christianity and its connections to Judaism and the ancient Greco-Roman world, this comprehensive textbook employs a Religious Studies approach and methodology to help readers fully understand the development of Paul's theology and its importance over the centuries. Providing a multidisciplinary understanding of the genesis of the Christian faith in the first centuries, acclaimed scholar Rebecca I. Denova presents analyses of the Pastoral Epistles, I and II Corinthians, I Thessalonians, Romans, the Apocryphal Acts of Paul, and others. Engaging and accessible chapters explore how the true founder of Christianity integrated his values, politics, and daily life through his teachings on the nature of God, how humans relate to God, and how to live God's commandments. Throughout the book, Denova highlights how Paul's teachings can shed light on the ways Christians articulate their own systems of meaning in the twenty-first century. Containing a wealth of pedagogical tools, such as historical timelines, maps and ­figures, excerpts of ancient literature, and schematics of archaeological sites, Paul: The Apostle to the Gentiles is an ideal textbook for undergraduate students taking courses on the origins and history of Christianity, and an invaluable resource for general readers interested in Paul's life and letters.