William Barclay: A Spiritual Autobiography

by William Barclay

One of the many pleasures of A SPIRITUAL AUTOBIOGRAPHY is meeting and understanding the man who has led his passion for life lead him to the top, as an internationally respected theologian and teacher. With warmth and wit, William Barclay reflects on his upbringing, education, and career.

Genres: Biography, Autobiography

127 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1975

About the author

WIlliam Barclay was a Scottish author, radio and television presenter, Church of Scotland minister, and Professor of Divinity and Biblical Criticism at the University of Glasgow. He wrote a popular set of Bible commentaries on the New Testament that sold 1.5 million copies.

Reviews

[Alliee + · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting. One of the things I like about Barclay's Daily Bible Studies is how he adds in classic authors' ideas and quotes. One of the things I DIDN'T like about his autobiography is that there are so many quotes from other people in the very thin book, that Barclay himself is obscured.

He says of himself that he has a second class bain, but he remembers what he's read. I beg to differ . . .

[Daniel Rogers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish it was more of an autobiography, but his section on the role of a minister and preacher should be required reading in homiletics courses.

[Kay-Lynne N · Rating 1 out of 5]

What did I just read? Maybe I'm just not intelligent enough to understand this book . . . I felt really confused the whole time because I was expecting it to be him talking about himself, but it was just a few things about him, then mostly quotes from other writers and preachers.

[Randy Harris · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a tiny little scratch of an autobiography which glances atop the surface of William Barclay's life and times. I got the feeling that I really didn't know him much after readings this, though I did have a better understanding of his troubling positions on some fairly major doctrinal issues. Namely, his refusal (or work-around) of the miracles in the New Testament and his disbelief in an eternal punishment in hell. These are fairly important issues and ones that should be watched closely when reading Barclay commentaries. I believe his popularity is based on his smooth and clear-headed writing style (due, according to him, to hard work more than to natural gifts) and his insights into the Biblical texts.

[Rob McFarren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a solid autobiography, written with the reasoning of what Barclay values. I found it to be insightful and thoughtful, looking at his life and seeing how he describes his own beliefs and values.

[June · Rating 3 out of 5]

The blurb on this slim volume: “a joyous affirmation of life and faith by one of the world’s most beloved and respected authors.” I found it so. Another exercise in skirting typos, though. Anne Bogel would love this book, for it is essentially the 125-page acknowledgments to his fifty other books, none of which I’ve read, but some of which I now want to. He includes many of his beliefs, not all of which I believe, but it’s interesting to read his. I think this would be edifying to preachers, for it includes many pages of advice and commentary on the role.