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217th out of 224 books
—
166 voters
Paul
An intimate portrait of a complex individual through whom God was at work, turning the world upside down.With vivid imagination and scholarly depth, award-winning author Walter Wangerin Jr. weaves together the history of the early church with the life story of its greatest apostle--Paul. Wangerin begins to unfold Paul's incredible life by imagining the childhood and early...more
Paperback, 509 pages
Published
October 23rd 2001
by Zondervan Publishing Company
(first published 1994)
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Aug 03, 2011
James Korsmo
added it
Paul comes to life! The well-known writer and Valparaiso professor Walter Wangerin lends his pen to this novelization of Paul's ministry years. Wangerin shows a thorough knowledge of the relevant scholarship, and especially of the New Testament text, as he weaves together the narratives in Acts and the relevant data from Paul's own letters to form a coherent story of Paul's post-conversion life. Starting with his journey to Damascus, we met Paul and a broad cast of characters that come alive off...more
Rarely have I encountered a book with such brilliant wordsmithing as this one. Wangerin, a Lutheran pastor and professor at Valparaiso University, is possibly the best storyteller I’ve ever read. Many times I re-read passages just to marvel at how beautifully written they were!
“Paul” is a novelized version of the life of the apostle Paul, narrated by those who knew him, including Prisca, Luke, Timothy, James, Titus, and Barnabas. While obviously a work of fiction, Wangerin has done a lot of rese...more
“Paul” is a novelized version of the life of the apostle Paul, narrated by those who knew him, including Prisca, Luke, Timothy, James, Titus, and Barnabas. While obviously a work of fiction, Wangerin has done a lot of rese...more
You may know Wangerin from The Book of the Dun Cow. I love Wangerin’s writing and I loved Paul. From the insatiable and inexplicable drive of the book’s hero, Paul of Tarsus, to the endearing antics of his biggest fan Titus, this is a captivating story in a fascinating era.
Wangerin knows his Bible; that much is clear, yet he makes the Bible fun. When you grow up in a church atmosphere, Bible characters become legend, untouchable, bigger than life. This book brings them back to earth and gives th...more
Wangerin knows his Bible; that much is clear, yet he makes the Bible fun. When you grow up in a church atmosphere, Bible characters become legend, untouchable, bigger than life. This book brings them back to earth and gives th...more
I'm not a big historical fiction fan, and even less so of biblically based historical fiction. But, I read this anyway for my book group (and it fit nicely into a separate Sunday School study of Romans that I'm involved with right now.) The book seemed fairly faithful to the account of Paul's work in Acts and several of his letters (Romans, Corinthians and Galatians). And I liked how it humanized the Apostle and all his companions. But, in the end, it's hard to separate fact from fiction in my o...more
Paul: A Novel tells the life of Paul from the stoning of Stephen to his imprisonment in Rome. It is written from the perspectives of different people in Paul's life: Priscilla, Timothy, Titus, James and others. The author, Walter Wangerin Jr., doesn't add extra-biblical events, but he does flesh out the Bible's stories about Paul. I only noticed one place where there story didn't seem to match with the Bible - he broke up 1 and 2 Corinthians into four letters.
Overall, I found this to be an enjoy...more
Overall, I found this to be an enjoy...more
Weaves the story of the Acts of the Apostles with the theology of Paul's letters. Acts tells the story, the letters provide the theology. It takes a considerable amount of effort to fit the two together. The theology can be misunderstood if you don't understand the context of the story, and the story can be misleading if you don't understand the theology.
I've spent many hours studying Galatians and Ephesians but I feel I understand both books better after reading Paul: A Novel. I would recommend...more
I've spent many hours studying Galatians and Ephesians but I feel I understand both books better after reading Paul: A Novel. I would recommend...more
Oct 29, 2011
Jonelle
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
historical-fiction,
religion
I read this book for my church book group this month. Largely based on the book of Acts and some of Paul's letters (Romans, Galatians, Ephesians), it provides a great description of life at that time, and the activities of Paul as he spread faith in Christ to the Gentiles. Wangerin took an interesting approach by using multiple characters to provide windows into Paul's work. Plus, there were several moments where Wangerin's narrative reallly brought the Bible to life for me. For example, it was...more
I really liked this book. A novel, it is written from the perspective of Paul's friends and fellow disciples. Chapters alternate between Prisca, James, Barnabas, Titus, Luke, Seneca, Jude and Timothy. You get an understanding of the times, travels and travails of Paul as well as the underlying message of his letters in the Bible. Historical background helps you to understand the thinking of first century peoples. You can feel the love and admiration these people have for a man many of us would '...more
"In this created world, your head declares your source and your face is the glory of that source and that authority. Your 'head' is like the headwaters of the river. Being comes from it" (page 338)
Just like its little, Paul: A Novel, tells us about the life of Paul in such a different way. Started from the first time he appeared in the bible as someone who loves to torture Christian, until his very last days in life. All the troubles he bored and stuffs, and how i see that he's actually a stubbo...more
Just like its little, Paul: A Novel, tells us about the life of Paul in such a different way. Started from the first time he appeared in the bible as someone who loves to torture Christian, until his very last days in life. All the troubles he bored and stuffs, and how i see that he's actually a stubbo...more
This is one of those books that just sucks me in and causes me to neglect my daily chores to read just one more chapter. I wasn't expecting this, really. I mean, I like Walt Wangerin's work, but I'm not a big fan of his. But then I just devoured this book. The reason, I suspect is the source material. Paul is a fictionalized tale of the life of the apostle Paul. As such, it naturally draws its plot from the Bible, from the book of Acts. In my opinion, Acts is the most readable book of scripture,...more
Jul 23, 2007
Eric Haddox
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Those wanting to understand the apostle Paul in personality
Shelves:
fiction
The book was long and a bit slow. The main thing I appreciated about this book is the same thing I appreciate about all of Wangerin's books, it brings a Biblical story/ character to life for the western mind.
Many people would have liked the biblical authors to mention particular details that are of interest to our own culture such as, hair color, what their house was like... I address the Bible as being a book from another culture but this book does a great job at "filling in the gaps" to make...more
Many people would have liked the biblical authors to mention particular details that are of interest to our own culture such as, hair color, what their house was like... I address the Bible as being a book from another culture but this book does a great job at "filling in the gaps" to make...more
The story of the apostle Paul told in the form of a novel, mostly from the multiple points of view of the major people in his life -- Prisca (Priscilla), James the Just, Barnabas, Timothy, Luke, Titus, along with Jude the Damascene, and Seneca.
Absolutely riveting. Wangerin invents just enough extra details of Paul's life and those of his friends to make these stories come alive in a new way, without falsifying the biblical accounts.
It was a bit disturbing how much attention Wangerin gave to disa...more
Absolutely riveting. Wangerin invents just enough extra details of Paul's life and those of his friends to make these stories come alive in a new way, without falsifying the biblical accounts.
It was a bit disturbing how much attention Wangerin gave to disa...more
Wangerin's rendition of the Epistles and Saint Paul's life as a novel. Wangerin is a good writer, but I didn't like this book as much as some of his other works. I don't think the subject matter lends itself well to a novelization, and I found it confusing in many places because of the constant changes in the narrator. I often couldn't tell who was supposed to be narrating a particular passage.
Good historical fiction, but I found it tedious and hard to follow. I am quite familiar with the Bible's account of the apostle Paul, so there were definitely some interesting things in this novel. However, it jumped from character to character and I found that difficult to follow. Also there was a lot of tedious detail that made it rough reading. I tried four times before I finally made it through.
Wow, what a fascinating book! I had never really thought about the tremendous challenges the early church must have faced as Jews and Gentiles tried to embrace this new faith in Jesus together. I loved the different perspectives on Paul's life and ministry and it has made me want to learn more about the ancient church. It opened my eyes anew to the high emotions on both sides during this time and the confusion that existed in trying to forge ahead with a whole new way of thinking. Great book!
A very realistic interpretation of the Apostle Paul's life told in a gripping novel format. This story really helped me understand the rejection of Christ by Jews and the strife between Christ's salvation/teaching and Jewish Law.
this excellent book is well researched and written. the author brings to life one of the greatest apostles who ever lived and whose impact on Christianity still continues to be felt to this day.
This fictionalized biography of the apostle Paul may appeal to your interest in biographies and in inspirational fiction. It is founded on biblical research, but written as fiction.
Paul, by Walter Wangerin. Masterful, imaginative, and powerful work of storytelling revealing a comprehensive knowledge of history, scripture and much meditation. A great read!
Aug 02, 2011
Milan Homola
added it
If you want incredible writing that adds flavor and detail to the biblical story this book will bring it all to life for you. It really is a fun read
I started this book a couple times - you need a knowledge of Acts to understand the book best. It is a great novel depiction of Paul as contained in Acts and his letters.
I LOVE this book! I have read it twice and each time gained more insight into to life of this man of such great faith.
Wangerin adds his vast biblical knowledge to the life and times of the apostle Paul. very well written, I enjoyed it.
I let someone borrow this book and never got it back -- ugh! It is a keeper and meant to be re-read.
Like the Anne Rice books on Jesus, Wangerin paints in believable 1st century canvas of the greatest apostle.
By far my favorite novel. It is really well written, one of those books your sad when it is over.
Finally finished this book. I probably would have enjoyed it a lot better had I not picked it as my first summer read. However, there were times I was deeply caught up in the book and characters and loved it. Then, there were other times when I'd only be able to read a few pages before I picked up another book. I'm am glad though that I took the time to read this story. It definitely makes me more intrigued about the New Testament, and I excited to read the NT again and see how things really wer...more
Reading the passion of The Epistles, I admit I have a little spiritual crush on Paul. This put flesh onto such a great man, it made him human to me and by doing so... I admit my crush is a wee bit bigger!
It's been a few years since I read this, but I rememeber liking it ok.
Paul isn't any more likeable here than he is in the New Testament. I liked this a lot, it made me want to be the world's foremost scholar of Bible fan fic until forty seconds ago when I googled "bible fan fic".
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Walter Wangerin Jr. is widely recognized as one of the most gifted writers writing today on the issues of faith and spirituality. Starting with the renowned Book of the Dun Cow, Wangerin's writing career has encompassed most every genre: fiction, essay, short story, children's story, meditation, and biblical exposition. His writing voice is immediately recognizable, and his fans number in the mill...more
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“So go back to the books. They will comfort you and cheer you. If you earnestly work with them, neither sorrow nor anxiety nor distress nor suffering need trouble your mind any more, no, not evermore.”
—
3 people liked it
“But this is my contentment, that I've lost what I never needed and what I need I can never lose: these two things, universal nature and one's personal virtue.
For this is the intention of the creator of the world, whatever he may be - whether an all-powerful Deity, or some incorporeal Reason contriving vast works, or a divine Spirit pervading all things from the least to the largest with a uniform energy, or Fate, or an inalterable sequence of Causes clinging one to another - whatever the Intender, I say, this is his intention: that nothing of ours can fall under the control of others except that which is finally and truly worthless to us.
The best of any man lies beyond the power of other men, either to give it or take it away.”
—
1 person liked it
More quotes…
For this is the intention of the creator of the world, whatever he may be - whether an all-powerful Deity, or some incorporeal Reason contriving vast works, or a divine Spirit pervading all things from the least to the largest with a uniform energy, or Fate, or an inalterable sequence of Causes clinging one to another - whatever the Intender, I say, this is his intention: that nothing of ours can fall under the control of others except that which is finally and truly worthless to us.
The best of any man lies beyond the power of other men, either to give it or take it away.”
