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In the Steps of Timothy
280 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 1995
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
August 1, 2025
I gave this book 5 stars because of its unique perspective that it provides on the person of Timothy, his relationship with the apostle Paul, and his role he plays in the entire Pauline epistles and not merely the epistles bearing his name.
The two biggest weaknesses that would merit a four star rating are its speculative nature and the author’s tendency to import an anachronistic pop psychology application at times.
With respect to the speculative nature, the author gives an outstanding explanation of four levels of certainty regarding interpretations that he is faithful to apply and explain to the reader. In other words, he’s not trying to deceive the reader to further an agenda. Pierson’s four levels of certainty, provide a wonderful grid for preachers to think through before they preach as certainty what is merely a speculation!
Regarding the somewhat irritating applications from Timothy‘s life to the modern day reader, they are easily overlooked in order to benefit from this unique and challenging perspective on Timothy. Pierson will forever cause you to think about Paul and Timothy‘s relationship in a more complex way than how popular preaching presents it and conventional wisdom permits it. I doubt anyone will fully embrace all of Pierson’s conclusions, but I do think everyone will benefit from reading them.
Anyone with (1) an interest in Timothy as the beloved disciple and apostolic delegate of the Apostle Paul, (2) a desire to teach 1 & 2 Timothy [or the Pastoral Epistles], and (3) a willingness to think more deeply about the complex tensions in the ministry relationship between "Timid Tim" and "Powerful Paul" should get a copy of this out-of-print book.
If you don’t take my word for it, then listen to the mighty expositor John Stott who recommends this book in his classic exposition of the Pastoral Epistles! His recommendation prompted me to buy this book and I am glad I did. I think any pastor-teacher or serious Berean will be as well.
The two biggest weaknesses that would merit a four star rating are its speculative nature and the author’s tendency to import an anachronistic pop psychology application at times.
With respect to the speculative nature, the author gives an outstanding explanation of four levels of certainty regarding interpretations that he is faithful to apply and explain to the reader. In other words, he’s not trying to deceive the reader to further an agenda. Pierson’s four levels of certainty, provide a wonderful grid for preachers to think through before they preach as certainty what is merely a speculation!
Regarding the somewhat irritating applications from Timothy‘s life to the modern day reader, they are easily overlooked in order to benefit from this unique and challenging perspective on Timothy. Pierson will forever cause you to think about Paul and Timothy‘s relationship in a more complex way than how popular preaching presents it and conventional wisdom permits it. I doubt anyone will fully embrace all of Pierson’s conclusions, but I do think everyone will benefit from reading them.
Anyone with (1) an interest in Timothy as the beloved disciple and apostolic delegate of the Apostle Paul, (2) a desire to teach 1 & 2 Timothy [or the Pastoral Epistles], and (3) a willingness to think more deeply about the complex tensions in the ministry relationship between "Timid Tim" and "Powerful Paul" should get a copy of this out-of-print book.
If you don’t take my word for it, then listen to the mighty expositor John Stott who recommends this book in his classic exposition of the Pastoral Epistles! His recommendation prompted me to buy this book and I am glad I did. I think any pastor-teacher or serious Berean will be as well.
September 19, 2021
Though speculative in places, this biography of Timothy made but only his life but many of the events of the New Testament come alive.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews