Part unfolding drama and part study tool, the NARRATIVE COMMENTARY SERIES draws upon vivid storytelling and the most widely accepted scholarship to provide compelling insight into the biblical book of Philippians. The characters, context, setting, and situations that prompted Paul to write his most loving letter are painted with remarkable detail and historical accuracy.
Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From the Inside Flap
Not all commentaries are created equal.
A commentary is a useful tool—it can help you live God's way by increasing your understanding of His Word and work in the lives of others.
Now, with the introduction of A Distant Presence: The Story Behind Paul's Letter to the Philippians, NavPress has combined the insights of a commentary with the power of story to create an exciting new learning experience.
Part unfolding drama and part study tool, the NARRATIVE COMMENTARY SERIES draws upon vivid storytelling and the most widely accepted scholarship to provide compelling insight into the biblical book of Philippians. The characters, context, setting, and situations that prompted Paul to write his most loving letter are painted with remarkable detail and historical accuracy. Whether you're reading the rich narrative or using the question-and-answer end notes for reference, A Distant Presence will leave you feeling as though you've personally experienced this brief, but formative, chapter of church history.
In the commentary section you'll find historical and cultural information about Paul, other key characters, and the city of Philippi, as well as information on problems in the early church, a portrait of daily life in ancient times, and more. There is help for understanding the themes in the Philippian letter, how the letter "works," and for reading the letter itself with fresh eyes. This section is topically arranged and cross-referenced throughout the narrative to help you find information easily.
The narrative section, on the other hand, weaves together the content and background of Paul's letter to the Philippians into a memorable drama with flesh-and-blood characters and historically authentic scenes. As you read, you'll find yourself taking Paul's words to heart, just as his original readers did almost two thousand years ago.
From the Back Cover
BACK COVER: A powerful story, a biblical commentary. A Distant Presence: The Story Behind Paul?s Letter to the Philippians is the first volume in the new NARRATIVE COMMENTARY SERIES from NavPress. Drawing from the writings of ancient historians, the best conclusions of modern scholarship, and the most readable contemporary translations, Tim Woodroof combines the power of story with the insights of a biblical commentary. In A Distant Presence, Woodroof envisions what life was like for the believers in first-century Philippi. You?ll feel transported to another time as he takes you on a journey through ancient Italy and Macedonia, providing front-row seats to the colorful interactions between the great Apostle Paul and his trusted coworkers: Luke, Silas, Clement, Epaphroditus, Lydia, Timothy, and the feuding Euodia and Syntche. Paul?s relationship with the Philippians was marked by a tension between his brief, irregular visits and his long, frequent absences. Over a twelve-year period, the Apostle was only physically present with them a matter of weeks. The Philippians loved Paul dearly. Still, his was a "distant presence." However, Paul was never far from these Christians in his thoughts and affections. From the founding visit to Philippi to the writing of his pivotal "letter to the Philippians" while imprisoned in Rome, Paul continued-from a distance-to disciple these early believers through the problems and challenges of following Christ. His letter reached over the miles to encourage the Philippians in the first century. Now it reaches over the centuries to inspire us today. Gain new insight and a fresh appreciation for the book of Philippians using this unique study tool. Even if you?ve never picked up a commentary before, you?ll enjoy exploring Scripture in this brand new way. And if you have picked up a commentary, only to be overwhelmed by more information than you need, you?ll appreciate a tool that culls the best of what the scholars say without bogging down in the details. FLAP COPY: Not all commentaries are created equal. A commentary is a useful tool-it can help you live God?s way by increasing your understanding of His Word and work in the lives of others. Now, with the introduction of A Distant Presence: The Story Behind Paul?s Letter to the Philippians, NavPress has combined the insights of a commentary with the power of story to create an exciting new learning experience. Part unfolding drama and part study tool, the NARRATIVE COMMENTARY SERIES draws upon vivid storytelling and the most widely accepted scholarship to provide compelling insight into the biblical book of Philippians. The characters, context, setting, and situations that prompted Paul to write his most loving letter are painted with remarkable detail and historical accuracy. Whether you?re reading the rich narrative or using the question-and-answer end notes for reference, A Distant Presence will leave you feeling as though you?ve personally experienced this brief, but formative, chapter of church history. In the commentary section you?ll find historical and cultural information about Paul, other key characters, and the city of Philippi, as well as information on problems in the early church, a portrait of daily life in ancient times, and more. There is help for understanding the themes in the Philippian letter, how the letter "works," and for reading the letter itself with fresh eyes. This section is topically arranged and cross-referenced throughout the narrative to help you find information easily. The narrative section, on the other hand, weaves together the content and background of Paul?s letter to the Philippians into a memorable drama with flesh-and-blood characters and historically authentic scenes. As you read, you?ll find yourself taking Paul?s words to heart, just as his original readers did almost two thousand years ago.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Injecting Life in Still Images,
By Joe Haubenreich (Brentwood, TN United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: A Distant Presence: The Story Behind Paul's Letter to the Philippians (Narrative Commentary Series) (Paperback)
I admit -- when I think of the early church, my imagination borrows lavishly from Jewel Miller filmstrips of my youth. There is the Apostle, writing from a prison cell. And here he is, clamped in the stocks in a Philippian jail; bruised, but not bowed. Every image, locked down, frozen, neatly framed . . . sepia-tinted, motionless and slightly unfocused. How often have I read the Apostle Paul's letter to the church at Philippi, seining for rules I can apply to daily living, yet missing Paul's point? Tim Woodroof's book reveals the undercurrents that Paul deftly navigated in writing his message. In his poignant and very personal letter to his dear, distant Madedonian friends, the aging apostle emphasized that the solid footing for a Christian walk is loving, joyful relationships -- not rules. Relationships with the Savior certainly, but also with one another. Tim Woodroof's refreshing commentary animates my mental images, bringing to life individuals in the family of Christ at Philippi, helping me to appreciate more fully the priceless treasure that has been preserved for us in the letter to that church. _A Distant Presence_ is well-written and engrossing; exhibiting excellent scholarship and sound theology. The margin questions and end notes helped establish the plausibility of the settings and events described in the narrative. I commend this book to all readers of The Word.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The book of Philippians comes to life!!,
This review is from: A Distant Presence: The Story Behind Paul's Letter to the Philippians (Narrative Commentary Series) (Paperback)
Tim Woodroof is a masterful story teller that brings the biblical letter of Philippians to life! Tim, through apparent extensive secular and scriptural historical research, enhanced my visual images surrounding the circumstances of the Philippian Christians at the time Paul writes the letter and enriched my appreciation for the message. The development of the Simeon character is brilliant!! Thanks Tim for sharing your tremendous insights; please write more along this line!!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The First Century Church Comes Alive,
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This review is from: A Distant Presence: The Story Behind Paul's Letter to the Philippians (Narrative Commentary Series) (Paperback)
This is one of those books that I hope NEVER go out of print. Too many Christians see the early church as ancient, distant and not easily understood. This book demonstrates why the early church, early Christians, and most of all, the Apostle Paul were real people, with real problems and real friendships. Using historical facts and the books of Acts and Philippians, the author does a masterful job of making this church come to life. I was truly blown away by this book.
I bristle at those who say that the Bible has no application for their lives today- or those who teach that the Bible of old no longer applies to people the way it did back then. I would challenge anyone to read this book and try to convince me that people in the first century are any different than people in the 21st century. Same problems, same worries, same "issues" that we deal with today. Get this book. It's a real jewel.
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