Customer Reviews

The Apostle: A Life of Paul

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have read the bible, especially the New Testamant, many times and over the years have gotten a good picture of what Paul's life and spiritual development was like. Or so I thought. The author does a wonderful job of making Paul and his times come alive. This is not scripture (although there are many quotes), but reading it will make the Pauline letters come alive in a way that only a great writer can. A definite recommendation for everyone from a long-time Christian.

We know some things about Saul of Tarsus (later named the Apostle Paul) but a complete biography is always lacking because of sketchy and incomplete information. Most everything we know from Paul is from the Dr. Luke in the Book of Acts or Paul's epistles themselves. II Peter Chapter 3 makes some very intriguing statements. Peter, in some of his last earthly words before martyrdom, validates Paul's apostleship and states that some of his writings and teachings are difficult but that we should follow them.

Pollock's book is presented as documentary-style reading since Paul's complete biography is not entirely clear. There is much the author states is inference or speculation. If you can respect that and not build doctrine and facts on where the evidence is fuzzy, I think this is an excellent book.

One example of "fuzzy" facts that Pollock considers is the age-old controversy over the authorship of the Book of Hebrews. The author of Hebrews does not identify himself and scholars argue who wrote it. Pollock speculates that Paul, while imprisioned in Acts Ch. 24 for two years may have had time and motivation to write the book to the people he so desparately wanted to reach. With his imprisonment and his controversial style among the Jews, he may have left his identity anonymous so he himself would not be a stumbling block to reach his Jewish brothers. Eternity will reveal who wrote the Book of Hebrews but it is certainly a plausible theory.

Overall, the greatest benefit in reading this book is to provide a better framework for understanding Paul as he travels among the early churches and wrote letters to them correcting the various false teachings and problems that developed.

Rather like scientists who argue tentatively from "inference to the best explanation," John Pollock mitigates his speculations with what seems a broad scholarship and familiarity with relevant topography, historical accounts, archeology, biblically cross-referenced clues and implications, and hermeneutics. The result is an outstanding biography of the first century evangelist who influenced the course of human history more than any political figure has. At one point, discussing "a certain political event in Ephesus" during an account of what is known as Paul's second missionary journey, Pollock describes his method in these words: "Paul's story enters a brief though vital period when the facts are obscure. Luke turns very discreet." After citing a highly plausible political explanation for Luke's discretion, he continues: "What happened must be pieced together from clues scattered aground the New Testament and in secular history. . . A biographer has to decide between slowing to a halt here in a bog of conflicting possibilities which can never be resolved, or striding boldly across a causeway of conjecture. I choose the second course and, without stepping aside to discuss all the alternatives, tell the story as I see it. Paul's next eighteen months unfold somewhat as follows, though the tone of assurance in my narrative must not disguise that some of its conclusions are tentative and disputable." (p 192) This excerpt furnishes a good picture of Pollock's approach when some speculation is necessary to flesh-out the story.

The book is an extremely enjoyable reading experience. This from chapter 15: Paul, Silas, Timothy, and Luke, "probably in the last week of July 50 [AD]," under sail from Troas: "They did not think of themselves as passing from the continent of Asia to Europe. The terms were in use, but the Aegean was Greek on either side. They had, instead, the excitement of approaching a new province, bringing them nearer Rome. They knew that beyond Macedonia they could reach Achaia and Italy, and the vast lands of Gaul, Spain, Germania, even the mist-bound island of Britain lately added to the empire: all save Rome untouched by the Good News. They were not bringing force of arms or a political program: just four men -- and Another, invisible, who had known these seas and shores before Achilles or Agamemnon or Ulysses; who could demolish empires and cities by the breath of His mouth, but who had chosen to humble Himself and come to Macedonia as quietly, as weakly as, in the flesh, He had come to Bethlehem half a century before. " (p 124)

Sea routes, roads, typical seasonal meteorology, local flora, the lay of cities, ports and provinces, physical features of the landscapes, political liaisons and intrigues, local deities, the art, architecture and practices of pagan worship centers, the identity and motivations of opposition, philosophical schools, regional industries, first century seamanship and vessels -- Pollock descriptively reveals all of these elements of the New Testament narratives. While a typical reading of the New Testament virtually ignores these features of context, to better recognize them is certainly a boon to understanding. This is one of the great values of this book. Pollock also manages to reveal Paul's characteristics, tendencies, reasonings, knowledge of Greek literature and philosophy, personal interests and personality traits; he does this rather speculatively, but based on cited references nonetheless. An example: "they took the ship through the islands of the Cyclades, beautiful in a wine-colored sea. Paul could enjoy it. Because Acts has no place for his personal feelings he has been considered indifferent or loftily superior to scenery. Yet he writes of the beauty of the stars, how one differs from another in glory; he was aware of the beauty of the human body and he notes how in great houses he visited some of the vases and bowls were works of art, others merely useful."

The texts I've chosen to quote should give a sense of Pollock's biography of Paul, the fearless advocate, ambassador, mediator and counselor who modeled the understanding that "Christians must outlove, outjoy, outthink, and always welcome those who oppose them." I recommend the book, bearing in mind, of course, that direct textual statements have been augmented with inference and speculation. Two or three times I thought that Pollock's 'inferences' were likely not correct, but these are exceptions. Where speculation is unwise, unsupportable or unnecessary, Pollock generally steers clear. For example, regarding the possible Pauline authorship of the NT letter/book of Hebrews, Pollock says, "some hold that Hebrews was composed" during Paul's confinement in Caesarea in 58. He then briefly explains other views (p 265) without personally endorsing any of them. (The only biblical evidence of the authorship of Hebrews is 'textual' and, I believe, indicates that Apollos, the Alexandrian scholar, is the most probable author. Claims for Pauline authorship are inevitably attempts to explain why the letter doesn't sound/read as though Paul had written it, while the most likely explanation is simply that he did not. On the other hand, it does sound/read like the writings of well-known Alexandrian theologian/scholars [thus our obvious candidate is Apollos, as Luther believed]. Pollock reservedly states only that this particular question cannot be finally resolved.) I enjoyed the book on two levels, it ties together what often seem like disjoined narratives, and it is also a valuable series of contextual insights.

John Pollack does a remarkable job of presenting the life of the great Apostle Paul. I would recommend this work to all who really want to grasp the essence of not only the Apostles life but the time period in which he lived. Pollack gives fantastic details of the first century Graeco-Roman world. His impeccable scholarship and spiritual maturity combine to produce a work that encourages the reader to dig deeper into the sacred text, which is the foundation of the biography. Of special interest to the Bible student is the considerable background information of the Pauline epistles ie, the context of each one in relation to the Apostles life. Anyone who seriously questions the authenticity of the New Testament would glean much credible information from this book. Pollack presents the Apostle as a flesh and blood man transformed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and hope you will to.

John Pollock has written what I believe to be an excellent biography on one of the most influential people (behind Jesus Christ, of course!) of the Bible - Paul formerly known as Saul of Tarsus.

Throughout the book Pollock includes biblical stories of Paul's experiences and writes the book in a biographical style. Included are the following events from Paul's life:

1. Presence at Stephan's stoning.
2. Conversion on the Damascus Road.
3. Various missionary journies.
4. Conflict with Barnabas over John Mark.
5. Relationship with Timothy.
6. Shipwreck and landing at Malta.
7. Final days in Rome.

As you read the book, you will see that Pollock is true to the New Testament accounts of Paul's life.

Read and enjoy. Recommended.

This book gives you an insight into the life of Paul. Its as if it were written as a modern biography, but the Biblical narrative is interwoven with all the latest reseach on the historical background to Paul. It is a must for anyone who wants to preach on Paul. I couldn't put it down

Most books about Paul focus either on his theology or on recounting his travels. And most end up pretty dry, even if you find the topic interesting. In this book John Pollock does a remarkable job of bringing Paul alive to the reader. You do learn Paul's theology and gain an understanding of his trials and travels, but more importantly, you meet the man. Once you have read this book, you will feel as if you know Paul personally. One of the finest biographies I have read. I have recommended this book to many friends and I recommend it highly to you as well.

Mr. John Pollock's The Apostle: A Life of Paul is a must read for anyone interested in learning about the man who wrote such a large portion of the New Testament. The book wonderfully takes you from Saul's beginnings as an extraordinary intellectually gifted Jew and keeper of the law, to his conversion to Christianity to become Paul, and then his pilgrimage as a deliverer of the gospel.

All stops along Paul's way are covered by Mr. Pollock in this novel type book. That's not to say it's a novel, but rather it reads like a novel. Great details are given throughout the story providing valuable background on the customs and how people lived during Paul's walk.

If you are interested in further studying Paul outside what he wrote in the Bible I highly recommend this book.

This book is written like a novel, but the research is so extensive it stands halfway between fiction and a historical treatise. You feel like you're living the excitement of the early church as you move with Paul through his adventure-filled life.

While some judgments had to be made in order to tell it like a story, he even gives footnotes explaining other options at certain points. This is a wonderful way to get started in New Testament history.

Dennis McCallum, author Organic Disciplemaking: How to promote Christian leadership development through personal relationships, biblical discipleship, mentoring, and Christian community

The author does an excellent job of making you feel like you are on the journey with Paul - a journey that changed the world. I read the book in conjunction with the Book of Acts and Pollock does an excellent job of keeping the book biblically accurate. I highly recommend it!