Description: From the first paragraph of their introduction: "The purpose of this work is to give a living picture of St. Paul himself, and of the circumstances by which he was surrounded." Actually, they did far more than that modest sentence indicates. Either Conybeare or Howson (or both of them) personally walked and sailed everywhere that the Apostle traveled! Their account is a great travelogue, an historical tour-de-force, and an insightful Christian analysis and examination of Paul's ministry. Included in the book are the authors' own translations from the Greek of Paul's inspired writings!
Customer Reviews
Review Summary: A BRILLIANT HISTORICAL AND THEOLOGICAL BOOK .
Date: 2008-03-16
Details: I have had my own personal copy of a 1893 edition since 1978. I have read and studied this book over and over many times during these past years. I still find it edifying in any facet of my ministry and teaching. It has opened up the world of the times of Christ and the Apostle Paul's world, helping me to better understand the civilization which gave birth to the Church age. It is not an easy book to read, and a dictionary at hand does help clarify the thinking of these writes. Based on the available knowledge and information of their day, their research is impeccable and presented in an understandable format. This is not a book for just anyone, nor someone who is only interested in a cursory look at its presentation. I highly recommend it for a serious student of both The Bible and its History of time and places. When you consult the list of "Contents and Chapters," and the "Appendices," you are immediately led into a small study unto itself. The writers are chronological with subject matter that is apart from the basic book. The uses of notes are excellent for clarification and searching the Scriptures to substantiate the writings. This is a serious translation of the Epistles of St. Paul by two eminent scholars of their day.
Review Summary: Tough, but good
Date: 2006-02-24
Details: This work was written in the 19th century, so the language can be challenging. This is not casual reading. That being said, I have found it to be one of the best biographies of Paul. So many of the others seem really to be the author's projections of some point of view they hold onto the apostle Paul. The authors at times run off into speculation, but these are clearly marked. I am sure it is dated with respect to the archeology of the middle east and Greece.
Review Summary: A living picture of Paul. Historical, insightful, in depth.
Date: 2001-08-25
Details: From the first paragraph of their introduction: "The purpose of this work is to give a living picture of St. Paul himself, and of the circumstances by which he was surrounded." Actually, they did far more than that modest sentence indicates. Either Conybeare or Howson (or both of them) personally walked and sailed everywhere that the Apostle traveled! Their account is a great travelogue, an historical tour-de-force, and an insightful Christian analysis and examination of Paul's ministry. Included in the book are the authors' own translations from the Greek of Paul's inspired writings!