Defending Shame: Its Formative Power in Paul's Letters

“Te-Li Lau displays command of Pauline studies, expertise in both Hellenistic and Jewish backgrounds, and intercultural sagacity. How many Pauline scholars can draw on comparisons with writings in Chinese, where some 113 terms for shame are found? Lau can and does. The result is a book that arrives at practical wisdom worked out in shrewd dialogue with the West's 'fractured understanding of shame.' Lau makes possible not only a better understanding of the apostle Paul's letters but a better application of those letters in personal life, teaching and preaching, and the public sphere. This is a book of rare wisdom and high importance.”

“Simultaneously immersed in the biblical milieu and relevant to our world today, this valuable work displays concrete facility in an astonishing range of disciplines and is in turn relevant to various disciplines. Although its most novel and distinctive contributions are for Pauline ethics and theology, it provides considerations relevant to pastoral counseling, pedagogy, intercultural studies, and even social communications and public policy.”

“Shame in our day is pervasive, powerful, and painful. Lau shows that in Paul's hands certain forms of shame--though many acts of shaming are prohibited--can be necessary in moral formation and used in positive ways to build Christian character. A remarkably comprehensive, insightful, and timely exploration of the meaning and function of shame.”

“I didn't know so much could be said about shame, but Te-Li Lau has said it. This brilliant book is impressive not only in its methodological and exegetical depth but also in its practical substance. Lau powerfully unpacks Paul's Christ-centered concept of shame and demonstrates that it is an essential emotion for moral formation--and he does so with great sensitivity to the complexity of shame and shaming in our culture today. Scholars and pastors alike will be indebted to Lau for his careful and insightful work.”

“Defending Shame is a unique and valuable contribution to the literature on moral formation. With his thorough analysis of the place of shame in Greco-Roman and Jewish literature, Professor Te-Li Lau provides the context for the study of appeals to shame in Pauline literature and demonstrates that appropriate appeals to shame as practiced by Paul can contribute to moral formation. This book is not only an important contribution to the study of Pauline ethics but also a welcome contribution to contemporary interdisciplinary discussions about shame.”

“Te-Li Lau's book is an unexpected addition to the field of shame research. Instead of looking at the typical honor-shame contrast, it provides the highly useful lens of shame as a pedagogical tool. This different perspective makes sense of some of Paul's moves and is also helpful for the modern church in considering motivations and methods of discipleship. An enjoyable read, this book is a necessary addition to any Pauline-studies bookshelf.”