"This investigation of Paul's theology of material possessions suggests that his fiscal thought derives from Jesus in one way or another.  After a sixteen-page introduction, it treats the following topics: the authenticity of the great sermon tradition (underlying the Sermon on the Mount and the Sermon on the Plain); Paul's general interest in the historical Jesus and his specific knowledge of the great sermon tradition; the fiscal worldview of the great sermon; 1 Corinthians vis-a-vis the great sermon tradition; and Paul and Jesus vis-a-vis Jewish and Greco-Roman fiscal thought.  Carter concludes that in 1 Corinthians Paul's fiscal thought world has been heavily influenced by the Jesus tradition that he received at some point, most likely in the form of the great sermon tradition." -New Testament Abstracts, Vol. 54

"An Assemblies of God missionary, Carter steps into the fray that has raged for two centuries on whether Paul invented Christianity or faithfully followed the footsteps of Jesus. It turns out, however, that he is merely crossing that battlefield to get to the virtually unexplored territory of Paul's theology of material possessions. Paul's attitude towards possessions resonates strongly with the teaching of Jesus as represented in the synoptic Gospels, he says, and that double track marks the route of his study. He considers the authenticity of the great sermon tradition, Paul's general interest in the historical Jesus and his specific knowledge of the great sermon tradition, the fiscal worldview of the great sermons, 1 Corinthians vis-a-vis the great sermon tradition, and Paul and Jesus viv-a-vis Jewish and Greco-Roman fiscal thought." -Eithne O'Leyne, BOOK NEWS, Inc.