Paul and the Therapy of Desire

""This book is a wonderfully rich resource and fine discussion of desire in Paul within the context of his world, based on extensive engagement with the literature of Paul's era and informed interaction with recent contemporary research."" --William R.G. Loader, Professor Emeritus, Murdoch University ""Until now, research has mainly focused on Greek-Hellenistic philosophy and Jewish religion in which Paul's warnings against desire (epithumia) are to be understood. In contrast to this approach, Nélida Naveros Córdova shows how Paul teaches to overcome desire. Paul suggests a higher doctrine and solution to the problem of desire (epithumia) founded in the grace of God, the Spirit of God/Christ, and the love commandment or law of Christ."" --Friedrich W. Horn, Emeritus Professor of New Testament, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz ""Naveros Córdova offers an excellent historical understanding of the Hellenistic Jewish and Greek philosophical roots for Paul's understanding of desire and its effects on a person's body and relationships with others. Through a comprehensive reading of texts across Paul's undisputed letters, she also shows how Paul offers a life in Christ and the Spirit as a solution to the problem of desire. This book is extremely useful for both veteran scholars and students of ministry who wish to have a contextualized understanding of Paul's teachings on desire and sexual passion."" --Timothy Milinovich, Professor of Biblical Theology, Dominican University