‘In Search of Paul: How Jesus’s Apostle Opposed Rome’s Empire with God’s Kingdom’

by John Dominic Crossan and Jonathan L Reed

‘This book is an equal and integrated study by a field archaeologist and a textual exegete of the word and world of the apostle Paul’

The text of this book is combined with photographs of Roman Pagan and Christian sites and architecture.  For the modern reader it really is an eye-opener as to the enormous difficulty of preaching the Gospel in a world so immersed in paganism and, most especially, Emperor worship. The huge risks taken by the first Christians in accepting and trying to live with friends, neighbours and family especially, in a world so dominated by the worship of so many ‘gods’, temples, sacrifices, sacred meals etc. makes a big impression.

Paul brings a Christian perspective to all these aspects of ordinary life, as lived in Roman times. His stamina and courage inspires converts to follow the path of Christ, despite the many dangers they faced. This book needs slow reading – more maps would have been helpful – but it is readable, very interesting and, for anyone interested in architecture as well as St. Paul, very worthwhile.