Paul: A Biography
Written by N. T. Wright
Narrated by James Langton
4.5/5
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About this audiobook
In this definitive biography, renowned Bible scholar, Anglican bishop, and bestselling 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.
N. T. Wright
N. T. Wright is the former bishop of Durham and senior research fellow at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford University. He is one of the world’s leading New Testament scholars and the award-winning author of many books, including?After You Believe,?Surprised by Hope,?Simply Christian,?Interpreting Paul, and?The New Testament in Its World, as well as the Christian Origins and the Question of God series.
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Reviews for Paul
227 ratings20 reviews
What our readers think
Readers find this title to be an insightful and well-researched book on the life, philosophical and religious implications of Paul's writing. It provides a new look and respect for Apostle Paul, with helpful insights and surprising suggestions. The author, N.T. Wright, is praised for his ability to make readers feel like they are walking side by side with Paul throughout his life. The book is described as informative, authoritative, and highly recommended for all Christians. Overall, it is a must-read that educates and inspires.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A must read for all Christians. Paul has long been my favorite apostle to study, but this work has educated me beyond what I could have imagined.
2 people found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I mentioned to our pastor that I had just finished N.T. Wright's latest history of Paul. He replied that, "anything written by N.T. Wright is bound to be worthwhile". And he was, of course, right. After being apprised of Paul's (then Saul) upbringing highlighted by his family's drill on Hebrew law and traditions, my understanding of Paul's teachings and his courage to stay on message is wonderfully fleshed out. Paul uses his background as a scholar to reinforce his commitment to The Word, i.e., Paul has done his due diligence and has facts at his fingertips. My lifelong impression of Paul was that of a upright, didactic theoretician, brilliant but probably humorless. Dr. Wright's calm voice created in my mind Paul as an everyman's apostle. He maintains his everyday life while drawing on a fully developed sense of humor and the absurd.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This biography of Paul is both deep and accessible. Wright makes a point of placing Paul in his own time and cultures, often making even well known passages suddenly make sense.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Can't recommend this book enough. Understanding this pillar of Christianity is critical to knowing what one believes.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5One of the best books a believe could pick up and read. Bought three copies to share with my family.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I found this book very informative. It shed much light on many aspects of Paul’s letters and the events related in Acts of the Apostles. It is easy to follow and captivating to listen to.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5To get to understand Paul’s relentless love for Jesus. He understood the Messiah
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Outstanding wow!! These had given me a new look and respect to Apostle Paul.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Well written. Wright gives a personal and lively perspective on the Apostle Paul. Scholarly in its content but accessible to all and a resource worth reading.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5N. T. Wright is such a great thinker and scholar.
Many things are controversial but in the end are not controversial because they are based on clear reasoning and on historical accuracy. I love the man and his works. This is also happens to
Be a great book. - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5N T Wright has an amazing ability to make one feel they are walking side by side with Paul throughout his life. This man is a genius with the written word.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This is an excellent book! As one would expect from NT Wright.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Thank you Nicholas Thomas Wright. That was very well done.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Amazing read, very Inspiring and insightful. Will recommend this to friends
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This is the most insightful and authoritative books not only Paul, but his relationship with the early church as seen through Acts and all his letters to them. It helps one understand Paul's heart for the newly established churches and his passion for the Triune God. Highly recommended.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5An informative and gripping way to explore Paul, the man behind the letters.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A lively and helpful overview of Paul's life, filling in and connecting the dots where Acts and the letters leave out information, sometimes with surprising suggestions, but very helpful insights. Some conclusions, as one would expect from Wright, are maybe worth challenging (he drops an unqualified statement about Junia being an apostle for example), but it has been overall very good.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Insightful and a well researched book on the life, philosophical and religious implications of Paul‘s writing - the man who created Christianity.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Respected biblical scholar N. T. Wright offers an insightful look at the life of the Apostle Paul. He correctly bases his insights on first century culture. He examines the Scriptures and looks at recent scholarship, offering his interpretations. He looks at Paul's writings in relation to what was going on in Paul's life at the time. This book will be studied for many years to come.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Wow! I am always reluctant to use the word genius but you have to hand it to Tom Wright as he is the complete master of his material and his subject. What I would really like is for him to reduce the book to about 12 illustrated lectures and then I would feel that I knew Paul