Paul and his interpreters

In Paul and His Interpreters, Albert Schweitzer offers a rigorous reassessment of Pauline scholarship by surveying the major interpreters of the apostle and exposing the assumptions that shaped modern readings of Paul. The book is both historical and argumentative: Schweitzer traces the development of interpretation from earlier theological traditions into modern critical study, while contending that Paul's thought cannot be reduced to ethics or dogma alone. Written in a dense, analytical, and unmistakably scholarly style, it stands within the great tradition of German historical theology and remains crucial to debates about Pauline mysticism, eschatology, and the apostle's relation to early Christianity. Schweitzer, renowned as theologian, historian of religion, physician, and Nobel laureate, brought to this work the same intellectual independence that marked The Quest of the Historical Jesus. His training in theology and philosophy, together with his deep engagement with New Testament history, equipped him to challenge complacent academic consensus. Paul and His Interpreters reflects Schweitzer's lifelong concern to recover the historical and religious vitality of Christian origins. This book is especially recommended for readers interested in Pauline theology, the history of biblical interpretation, and the foundations of modern New Testament criticism. Though demanding, it rewards careful study with penetrating insight and remains indispensable for anyone seeking a serious understanding of Paul.