Richard Liong Seng Phua studied at Trinity Theological College in Singapore and South East Asia Graduate School of Theology. He is a preacher with the Presbyterian Church in Singapore.

"...this book can definitely be recommended to everyone interested in the phenomenon idolatry, although readers need some background and, best of all, even some specialist knowledge of certain aspects in order to profit from the results of most of the essays. Scholars involved in the (publication) project are specialists in their essay topics and thus focus on the aspects they regard as essential. Consequently, the core and the details of an individual essay will have to be challenged by exactly those other scholars who themselves have specialized on that subject matter." - Thomas J. Kraus, Review of Biblical Literature, August 2008

• 1. Introduction; 2. Idolatry: Definitions and Patterns; 3. Criticism of Idolatry in Diaspora Jewish Literature; 4. Jews and the Worship of the Gods; 5. Leadership and Discipline in the Jewish Diaspora; 6. Paul versus the 'Strong' on Idolatry; 7. Paul's Apostolic Authority and Example; 8. Conclusions.

Richard Liong Seng Phua studied at Trinity Theological College in Singapore and South East Asia Graduate School of Theology. He is a preacher with the Presbyterian Church in Singapore.

"...this book can definitely be recommended to everyone interested in the phenomenon idolatry, although readers need some background and, best of all, even some specialist knowledge of certain aspects in order to profit from the results of most of the essays. Scholars involved in the (publication) project are specialists in their essay topics and thus focus on the aspects they regard as essential. Consequently, the core and the details of an individual essay will have to be challenged by exactly those other scholars who themselves have specialized on that subject matter." - Thomas J. Kraus, Review of Biblical Literature, August 2008

• 1. Introduction; 2. Idolatry: Definitions and Patterns; 3. Criticism of Idolatry in Diaspora Jewish Literature; 4. Jews and the Worship of the Gods; 5. Leadership and Discipline in the Jewish Diaspora; 6. Paul versus the 'Strong' on Idolatry; 7. Paul's Apostolic Authority and Example; 8. Conclusions.

Richard Liong Seng Phua studied at Trinity Theological College in Singapore and South East Asia Graduate School of Theology. He is a preacher with the Presbyterian Church in Singapore.

"...this book can definitely be recommended to everyone interested in the phenomenon idolatry, although readers need some background and, best of all, even some specialist knowledge of certain aspects in order to profit from the results of most of the essays. Scholars involved in the (publication) project are specialists in their essay topics and thus focus on the aspects they regard as essential. Consequently, the core and the details of an individual essay will have to be challenged by exactly those other scholars who themselves have specialized on that subject matter." - Thomas J. Kraus, Review of Biblical Literature, August 2008

• 1. Introduction; 2. Idolatry: Definitions and Patterns; 3. Criticism of Idolatry in Diaspora Jewish Literature; 4. Jews and the Worship of the Gods; 5. Leadership and Discipline in the Jewish Diaspora; 6. Paul versus the 'Strong' on Idolatry; 7. Paul's Apostolic Authority and Example; 8. Conclusions.