Despite its brevity, Colossians has much to say. Paul faces proto-Gnostic deviations in the Colossian church, choosing to emphasize incarnational Christology and build from there. Based on the person of Christ, Paul develops an ordered doctrine of creation and maintains an eschatological lens that keeps the focus on the Heavenly gifts to come. Dr. Deterding approaches the letter with equal parts academic and pastoral concerns, tackling everything from the scholarly history of authorship to the rich sacramental theology of baptism. The eschatology of the letter extends beyond those verses that speak of the life to come, for its message is constantly given with an eye on eternity. The true doctrine of Christ, who is the exalted Lord over the entire creation, refutes the false christologies that were circulating in Colossae, variations of which continue to compete against the true Gospel in the world today.

Features

• A reconstruction of the probable Colossian heresy
• Arguments and evidence for undisputed Pauline authorship
• A focus on the Christology, Soteriology, and Cosmology of Colossians

Additional Essays

• Baptism in the Message of Colossians
• The Pauline Model of Growth in Sanctification
• Colossian’s relationship to Ephesians and Philemon