N.T. Wright is a renowned New Testament scholar and a former Bishop of Durham in the Church of England.

As the title indicates, this book is a biography of the Apostle Paul. Wright goes through the events narrated in the Book of Acts, including in intervals his comments about Pauls epistles. Overall, Wright treats the Book of Acts as historical, while arguing that Paul wrote the Book of Colossians, whose Pauline authorship is doubted by many scholars. Wright expresses more skepticism about Pauls authorship of the Pastoral Epistles (I-II Timothy, Titus), mentioning possible tensions that would need to be resolved to accept their authenticity. The book is eloquent and reflective, looking at Pauls theology and also at Paul the man. The final chapter especially fleshes out what Wright believes Paul was like: a person of high energy and strong opinions.

The book includes a lot of the usual N.T. Wright arguments, about how justification is more about the inclusion of Jews and Gentiles into the Christian community than personal forgiveness (though the latter is still relevant), how Paul was proclaiming that Jesus is Lord and Caesar is not, and how the Olivet Discourse is not about the end of the world. Wright also addresses the question of why Saul of Tarsus persecuted the early Christian community, arguing that, for some Jews, people like Stephen were undermining the Temple by predicting its destruction and by claiming that Gods presence was in Jesus. The book also contained thoughts that were previously unknown to me, such as Wrights argument that Pauls address in Acts 17 was Paul speaking while on trial, not Paul engaging in an academic discussion. Moreover, Wright provided historical background that made the past come alive, as when he said that prisoners needed family and friends to bring them food if they were to eat at all, and when he discussed the likelihood of whether high officials on a ship would listen to Paul.

This book was a little more informal than Wrights academic works, but it was an engaging and informative read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through BookLook Bloggers. My review is honest.

Working from the Bible, N.T. Wright chronologically follows Paul's journeys. This book is not just a biography but contains a fair amount of biblical exposition based upon the historical Paul and his surroundings, with no distracting footnotes (there are footnotes, but they are almost always references to scripture passages). I will never read Paul's letters or the book of acts the same way again. Even if one were to disagree with Wright's conclusions, they would have to agree that this is a good read.

This is both scholarly and for the average Bible reader. Great insights into possible situations not completely explained in the Bible but consistent with all that is in it. All but about 3 or 4 footnotes are Biblical references.

I am about halfway through this fantastic book. Though scholarly, it is highly readable and informative. This is the first book NT has written but it won't be the last. I got it on sale at CBD and it's worth every penny. Enjoy!

Going through Acts and Paul's epistles through the eyes of N T Wright was a thoroughly enriching experience. I was transported to 1st century Israel, Greece and Roman world where Paul lived. This book has helped me develop fresh eyes to see the work of one of the most influential men who ever lived and revolutionized the world. I admire Paul even more now for what he achieved because of his redefined and refocused zeal. It has energized me at different levels to work toward preserving unity, holiness and developing an outward focus in and through the community of believers in our fellowships and to allow the new creation ethos to burst through the different vocations. The challenges in India for the gospel can be addressed if only we can rethink gospel and the Work of God quite differently - moving away from a religion mentality and into a "recreation of the cosmos" mentality. Thank you N T for this gift, and thank you God for the gift of N T Wright!