Customer Reviews

Road to Bithynia

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

 

 

Writers of historical novels have formidable challenges. They have to create a novel that is interesting for the "layman" and yet accurate enough for at least the casual historians. The writer of a Biblical historical novel must also navigate the additional minefield of doctrine, theology and belief, not to mention strongly held conceptions of such prominent New Testament figures of Luke, Paul and Peter. It is therefore a pleasure to see how well Frank G. Slaughter mostly surmounts these obstacles in this book. A biography (scriptural, apocryphal and imaginative in about equal parts) of the physician Luke that tells a wonderful story with reverence and imagination. If one is determined to dislike this book, you can probably find something: the love story of Luke and Thecla seems a little contrived, the sometimes less than flattering portrayal of Paul's all-too-human weaknesses will offend traditionalists (especially those who ignore Paul's own confessions of his failings in Romans 7), the Jews opposed to the early church are defintely cast as villians and Christian doctrine espoused by most of the main characters possibly over-emphasizes good works over salvation. But,if taken as a whole, this book provides action, history, romance and a testament to the less-than-perfect but inspiring members of the early Church.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00177IM2S/ref=cm_cr_rev_prod_title

One of the most human and believable biblical novels ever written, THE ROAD TO BITHYNIA holds the reader's attention from beginning to end, building a personality conflict between Peter and Paul that is easily discernible in the New Testament by the alert reader. Thecla, whose actual existence is unknown, is given a different suitor, but the change works well.

The Book was in great condition considering its age. The book was received earlier than stated.