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  • Paul

  • A Biography
  • By: N. T. Wright
  • Narrated by: James Langton
  • Length: 15 hrs and 22 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (76 ratings)

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Paul

By: N. T. Wright
Narrated by: James Langton
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Publisher's Summary

In this definitive biography, renowned Bible scholar, Anglican bishop, and best-selling author N. T. Wright offers a radical look at the apostle Paul, illuminating the humanity and remarkable achievements of this intellectual who invented Christian theology - transforming a faith and changing the world. 

For centuries, Paul, the apostle who "saw the light on the Road to Damascus" and made a miraculous conversion from zealous Pharisee persecutor to devoted follower of Christ, has been one of the church's most widely cited saints. While his influence on Christianity has been profound, N. T. Wright argues that Bible scholars and pastors have focused so much attention on Paul's letters and theology that they have too often overlooked the essence of the man's life and the extreme unlikelihood of what he achieved. 

To Wright, "The problem is that Paul is central to any understanding of earliest Christianity, yet Paul was a Jew; for many generations Christians of all kinds have struggled to put this together." Wright contends that our knowledge of Paul and appreciation for his legacy cannot be complete without an understanding of his Jewish heritage. Giving us a thoughtful, in-depth exploration of the human and intellectual drama that shaped Paul, Wright provides greater clarity of the apostle's writings, thoughts, and ideas and helps us see them in a fresh, innovative way. 

Paul is a compelling modern biography that reveals the apostle's greater role in Christian history - as an inventor of new paradigms for how we understand Jesus and what he accomplished - and celebrates his stature as one of the most effective and influential intellectuals in human history. 

©2018 Nicholas Thomas Wright (P)2018 HarperCollins Publishers

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Wright brings us the person of St Paul

This beautifully written 'biography' of Paul really helped me understand so much into the person of the author of nearly all of the surviving writings to the churches and some individuals of the first century church.

Wright, having gleaned so much from just the letters and what Luke recorded in the book of Acts I now have a more vivid understanding of who Paul is. Behind the writings is of course is Paul's personality that I had an inkling of, but Wright gives wings to a soul that cared so much about the fledgling communities he foundered based on his faith, I can now see more of the passion, and perhaps even the intention of his messages to these churches.

If the epistles help you find grounding to your faith, and perhaps find them helpful to living the faith you believe, then this is a great read. A warning however, if your understanding of the bible is some angelic, heavenly piece to which no human really touched, you could be a bit disappointed. In that regard, it would be good to start with some videos the Bible Project put out on Youtube.

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Readable theology plus biography

Though I am a worshipping Christian, I seldom read theological books, finding them often heavy-going or abstract. Paul: A Biography is neither of these, but very readable, even suspenseful. The most interesting aspect of the book for me was the way NT Wright emphasizes Paul's Jewish heritage and continuing adherence to it. He was an incredibly restless man in his determination to visit so many Christian communities, some of them several times - and of course a brilliant writer. I still do not find Paul an attractive figure, but this book brought him alive for a contemporary person.

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The Most One Can Learn

If you, like me, are tired of the stereotype allocated to Paul by many Christians, this outstanding and exhaustive account of what made Paul tick is for you as well. I devoured the 15 hours of detailed account in a few sittings and found it hard to abandon when required.
I now have my own appreciation (although greatly influenced by N T Wright) of heaven to earth as a way of life, not a mere philosophical pastime designed to impress.
Thank you Jesus for Paul and N T Wright.

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A masterpiece of Historical context

Wright brings Paul and Paul’s world alive and connects us to him, to his world and through Paul we are pointed to Christ in a deeper way. I felt like I as travelling in time and gaining a deeper understanding of how Paul thought. How he viewed Jesus. The incredible significance of Christ to Paul and ultimately to us. I will read the epistles in a very different context after listening to this book. I will return to this book again and again.

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Paul; A Biography

A very enlightening book that explains Paul’s impact on the early church and how relevant his guidance is today. One I will definitely be listening to again.

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I didn't bother to finish it...

A disappointing book - especially after all the positive things I had heard about "The New Perspective on Paul". Wright's views are interesting, but there is a great deal of imagination at work here. While touting a Jewish perspective, the tone borders on antisemitic. I do not doubt the sincerity nor the intellect of the author, but intelligence is no guarantee of truth, and it is possible to be sincerely wrong. I recommend listening to this one with eyes wide open.

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