Upon This Rock: The Life of St. Peter

by Walter F. Murphy

The acclaimed novel of the early years after the Resurrection, and the power of a Gospel, a Church, and a new World, is available again as a new paperback. Walter F. Murphy, author of the bestselling THE VICAR OF CHRIST, engages the epic grandeur of the Resurrection and the heroic struggle of Simon Peter to spread the good word that the kingdom of God is at hand. His journey is he flees from Jerusalem to Galilee and, after further fascinating travels, finally arrives in Nero's Rome. The story unfolds in epic scope filtered through the skeptical but insightful Greek scholar Quintus, who follows Simon Peter in his journeys. In UPON THIS ROCK, Murphy humanizes the disciples as never they are filled with love for the Master, but like every man they are at times petty, selfish, vain. Simon Peter himself is a man of spacious moods, resenting Jesus' love for John and envying the spiritual power Mary of Magdala's vision of the risen Master brings. And Peter can be crude, angry, and self-pitying, for he is an uneducated man with a tragic past that fuels his nagging spiritual doubt. His faith wavers, even fails, but ultimately triumphs — conquering even the brutal torture of the disciples by Nero's Romans. Upon this rock a Church was built. Just as the Master envisioned. A novel previously published by Macmillan and Ballantine, this work is now available from Quid Pro Books in this authorized paperback, with the original maps retained from the hardcover edition.

Genres: Spirituality, Historical Fiction, Fiction

438 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1987

About the author

Walter F. Murphy is a 20th century American political scientist and writer. He won a Distinguished Service Cross for his service as a Marine in Korea, eventually retiring with the rank of colonel. He held the chair of McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence at Princeton. His professional writing, consisting mostly of non-fiction works on political science, includes the classic Constitutional Democracy; he has also written three popular novels.

Reviews

[Courtney Mauzy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not what I like in historical fiction. I was put off by unsupported fictional elements introduced in first section of book: Joseph previously married, Peter blinded at Jesus trial and remained so for 2 years, Peter foul mouthed drunk... I gave up on this one at end of Section I.

[Brian G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific writing. Presents the earliest Christians in a very human light.

[Jaime · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fictionalized and vivid life of Saint Peter and the early church leadership struggles. I loved this book for the fact that it gave us the world of the early Christian church and community. Mary Magdalene does not come off well in this novel but St. Peter also has an ego. Still, the teachings of Christ lead St. Peter as he grapples with the mantle left to him by Jesus. I enjoyed this novel of faith and perseverance.

[Don Dunnington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good historical novel on life of St. Peter. Makes good use of historical material to present a compelling story of the circumstances surrounding the emergence of the Christian faith in the first century Roman world. Imaginative and insightful regarding the dance between faith and doubt, belief and trust.

[Susan Smith]

Some theology is skewed, thus making it a nice piece of fiction.