for the Study of Paul and His Letters
Introducing JSPL | Contribute
| Subscribe | Editorial Board
Introducing the Journal for the Study of Paul and His Letters
The Apostle Paul stands as an incredibly important figure within the religious and intellectual
history of Christianity and Judaism in the first century. The study of Paul (the historical
person, author, tradition, and legend) and the Pauline letters (content, context, authenticity,
theology, and reception) continue to capture the fascination of scholars, students, religious
communities, and even the media. A number of journals geared toward New Testament studies
in general often contain a disproportionate number of articles dedicated to the study of
the Pauline corpus. There is a never-ending avalanche of Ph.D. theses written about Paul
and about the countless approaches and methods used to analyze the Pauline materials. Indeed,
the study of Paul and the Pauline letters appears to be an almost inexhaustible field of
investigation. Therefore, we think it time that Pauline research should have its own dedicated
journal as a specific conduit for Pauline research as it is broadly practiced. In light of
these considerations, it is my pleasure to present to you the Journal
for the Study of Paul and His Letters (JSPL).
The JSPL will present cutting-edge research for scholars, teachers, postgraduate
students, and advanced undergraduates related specifically to study of the Apostle Paul and
cognate areas. It is proposed that the many and diverse aspects of Pauline studies be represented
and promoted by the journal (see below, "Contribute"). The purpose of the journal is to advance discussion on these areas of Pauline research.
As such we invite submissions on the above mentioned topics that make a significant and original
contribution to the field of Pauline studies.
The inaugural issue of JSPL includes a contribution by one of its editorial board members,
Dr. Susan Eastman of Duke Divinity School (USA) on “Philippians 2:6–11: Incarnation
as Mimetic Participation.” Delving into the Christ-Hymn, Eastman argues for a close
link between imitation and participation in Paul’s explication of his gospel to the
Philippian audience. The first regular issue of JSPL will include studies such as Paul Foster, “Eschatology
in the Thessalonian Correspondence”; Michael Gorman, “Justification and Justice”;
Richard Bell, “Paul’s Theology of Mind”; and a review of Douglas A. Campbell’s
The Deliverance of God by Christopher Tilling and Michael Gorman, with a further response
from Douglas Campbell.
We invite contributions in areas such as:
- Pauline chronology and biography
- The Pauline corpus, including its collection and textual transmission
- The historical, cultural, literary, and social context of Paul and the Pauline writings
- Diverse perspectives, such as post-colonial interpretation and critical theory
- Studies in Pauline theology and theological interpretation of Paul’s letters
- The reception of Paul in the early church
- Studies in the history of Pauline research
- The relation of Pauline texts to practical theology
- Essay-length reviews of significant new publications in Pauline studies
- Issues dedicated to particular themes
Guidelines for Submission
- Submissions are accepted in English.
- Submissions should be made by e-mail attachment, with the article in one of the following
formats: *.doc, *.docx, or *.rtf.
- Submissions should be double-spaced, and include:
- a cover page, with the title of the essay and author’s name;
- an abstract of no more than 250 words; and
- a list of no more than ten key words.
- Use footnotes; all notes, like the text, should be double-spaced. Bibliographies and
reference lists are not allowed.
- The essay should not include the name of the author, nor any self-reference to the author,
whether in the body of the essay or in its footnotes. (For example, statements
such as “See my essay...,” or “As I have argued in...,” should
appear nowhere in the essay.)
- Essays of 7500 words or less, inclusive of notes, are given priority. No essay should
exceed 10,000 words, including notes.
- On other issues of style, consult The SBL Handbook of Style for Ancient
Near Eastern, Biblical, and Early Christian Studies (ed. Patrick H. Alexander, et al.; Peabody: Hendrickson,
- Submissions should be sent to the editor, Stanley E. Porter: porters(at)mcmaster.ca.
The Journal for the Study of Paul and His Letters is
published two times per year (spring, fall) beginning
in 2011 (160 pages per issue). Subscription
- Individual: $30.00
- Individual (outside U.S.A.):$35.00
- Institution: $40.00
- Institution (outside U.S.A.) $45.00
You can now enter
your subscription on-line.
Alternately, those who wish to pay by check may download the form
for payment here.
Editor: Stanley E. Porter (McMaster Divinity College, Canada)
Associate Editors: Christopher D. Land (McMaster Divinity College, Canada)
Michael F. Bird (Ridley Melbourne, Australia)
Nijay Gupta (George Fox University, USA)
Peter Balla (Károli Gáspár University of the Reformed Church, Hungary)
Richard Bell (Nottingham University, UK)
Douglas A. Campbell (Duke University)
Lynn Cohick (Wheaton College, USA)
Susan Eastman (Duke University, USA)
Paul Foster (Edinburgh University, UK)
Michael Gorman (St. Mary’s Seminary, USA)
Mark Nanos (Rockhurst University, USA)
Christoph Stenschke (University of South Africa, South Africa)
Joel Willitts (North Park University, USA)
Timothy Gombis (Grand RapidsTheological Seminary, USA)
Matthew V. Novenson (Edinburgh University) .