The Doctor and the Apostle: Intersections Between Doctor Who and the Letters of Paul

by Jeffrey A. Nelson

What could a first-century church planter and tentmaker who helped forge the earliest years of a new religious movement possibly have in common with a British time traveling alien who first appeared in the 1960s to teach children about history?

Doctor Who has been a beloved science fiction franchise for over fifty years. Paul’s letters have been around for quite a while longer, with the earliest ones that he wrote dated less than a generation after the life of Jesus. Both have inspired and instructed people on how to live and have stoked the imagination for what individual and communal life can be in their own way. And both were or are deeply flawed, sometimes struggling against their own tendencies or those of others in order to help bring about something greater for their respective worlds.

The Doctor and the Apostle explores the similarities and differences between Doctor Who’s title character and Paul of Tarsus, comparing and contrasting the stories of each. Whether a fan of one or the other or both, the reader will gain a greater understanding of the possibilities of a life of faith, as well as a deeper appreciation of how pop culture and Scripture may help inform one another.

138 pages, Paperback

Published August 18, 2020

About the author

Rev. Jeff Nelson serves as Minister for Ministerial Calls and Transitions as part of the national staff of the United Church of Christ. He is also a certified spiritual director in the Ignatian tradition. An active writer and blogger, his writing has appeared at New Sacred, the Christian Century blog, the Shalem Institute blog, The Englewood Review of Books, and The High Calling.

Reviews

[Gayle · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a lifelong Whovian and as a pastor, this book simultaneously made me want to watch more Doctor Who and read more about Paul. I think it would also be a great intro to The Doctor for those who aren't familiar. The framing of Paul as a very human, flawed being was helpful for me as someone who often struggles with him. It probably helped me to view Paul differently *because* of the ways Jeff compared and contrasted the apostle to The Doctor, who I already loved.
Overall, this book was a great entry into thinking differently about both The Doctor and Paul. Well done!

[George Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Bible and Doctor Who fan gift of geeking out. The combination of the 2 is imaginatively done. Especially loved the time devoted to the women and the companions in the life of Paul and The Doctor. Use of he/she/ they pronouns never felt so accurate and timely. A joy to read.

[John Adams · Rating 3 out of 5]

A number of essays comparing aspects of the Doctor and St. Paul; there's no overarching thesis, and the essays all follow the same pattern, but it does make some interesting connections.

[Kevin Wolz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating little book (just over 100 pages) that investigates similarities between the Apostle Paul, author or several New Testament books, and The Doctor from BBC’s ever-evolving Doctor Who.

I had a blast reading this book, but only because I am a huge nerd for both Doctor Who and The New Testament. So the market for this book is a bit niche, but for those who are interested it is a great read.

Each chapter begins with a selected theme in Doctor Who. This theme is then expounded upon in Paul’s letters, before the author prosecutes these similarities (or differences) between the Doctor and the Apostle.

The author’s insights into Paul’s letters and the Doctor’s travels are stimulating and exciting. I loved this book.

By way of disclaimer, I should mention that the author makes use of all extant Doctor Who episodes (Classic, Reboot, Specials, etc.), but only the 7 “undisputed” Pauline letters (as opposed to the traditional 13 letter corpus). This does not detract from his analysis, though there are some times where it allows him to avoid some intriguing rabbit holes.

Some readers may be perturbed by the author’s use of inclusive pronouns for the Doctor (they/them). To these readers I say shut up.

One final note (in the words of River Song): Spoilers. I will admit that I’m not fully caught up on the show and a couple of key plot developments were revealed to me as I read this book. Proceed at your own risk.

[Linda "The Book Lady" Warner · Rating 5 out of 5]

If Christian and dr who who will like this book