The apostle Paul is one my favorite characters in the New Testament, so I was curious to read a fictionalized take (well, partially fictionalized) on his life. I've always been attracted to his feisty personality, and how the Lord used the same passion he exhibited with his attacks on Christians in his leading of new believers after the Lord saved him. Jerry B. Jenkins has portrayed him beautifully. He follows Scripture telling the story of Paul's hatred and persecution of new Christians, his Damascus Road experience, and his later writing of many letters of the New Testament. He does add a side story, including what could have been a possible romance on Paul's part, tying in the story of Paul's involvement in the stoning of Stephen, the first martyr. While some readers will be more hard-line, saying a Biblical writer doesn't need to speculate, but really, it isn't a problem, at least not for me.
I appreciated the parts of the story where the Holy Spirit spoke to Paul. It was powerful to realize that this same Holy Spirit who spoke to Paul's heart, is the same One who speaks to me. It brought me to tears at times, and that's always a good sign.
Jenkins tells a wonderful story, and even though he takes artistic license in adding the romance line, it's a sweet telling of a true man of God.
(i received this book free to review from worthy publishing)
(i received this book free to review from worthy publishing)
