In his biography of the Apostle Paul, N.T. Wright emphasized zeal and theology in a way that … well, in a way that worked. There are a lot of books about Paul’s theology, but not many well written biographies. Leave it to N.T. Wright to author a biography about a intellectual from 2000 years ago and make it engaging!
If theology isn’t your thing, I still think you’d enjoy this book. The author takes clues from Paul’s writing as well as from early Church historians to blend together a fascinating profile of the man who did more to spread the Gospel of Christianity throughout the Mediterranean than anyone. Wright delves into what made Paul tick, what his faults were, what his personality must have been like, and why his unique blend of zeal mixed with theology worked.
Obviously there is some speculation in the book — Wright makes it clear that we do not know everything we want about the Apostle. But Wright gives a balanced report and offers a variety of interpretations to the unknown parts of Paul’s life.
What I enjoyed most about Wright’s perspective is how he makes Paul seem human. How could a man with such intellectual horsepower, and such unbridled zeal, keep his mouth shut in certain situations? Was someone like Barnabas putting a hand on his shoulder and whispering to hold back? Wright paints scenes like this that bring you back to the moment.
Definitely recommended to anybody who wants to better understand Paul and his mission. You’ll be challenged, engaged, and encouraged by this book.