The Lost Letters of Pergamum

A Story from the New Testament World

By: Bruce W. Longenecker, Ben Witherington

Narrated by: Troy Duran

Length: 5 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

Transported two thousand years into the past, readers are introduced to Antipas, a Roman civic leader who has encountered the writings of the biblical author Luke. Luke's writings spark Antipas's interest, and a correspondence transpires between them. As the two delve deeply into each other's lives, Antipas begins to see things in fresh ways, causing him to rethink the values upon which his life had been founded. In due course, a gladiatorial contest in Pergamum forces difficult decisions on both the Christians in that city and on Antipas himself.

©2002 Baker Academic (P)2015 Bruce W. Longenecker

Excellent storytelling

This historical fiction piece is a very well crafted and deeply moving work. It seems clear that an overwhelming amount of research went in to grounding this work within its historical context. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Brilliant

After visiting these areas recently, this story came alive in many ways. The character development/ transformation and surprising ending rings true to the influence God can have on one's life.

Great Book

I love this book and am very thankful my professor at college recommended it to me. I believe God opened my eyes on some things. Praise God!

Interesting Insights

While this is fiction, the dialogue gave very interesting insights into what the early church experienced as they worked to reconcile the teaching of Jesus in an honor-shame culture. It was interesting and very well done.

A wonderful read

Longenecker has done a fantastic job of capturing the world in which the New Testament was written, giving strength to followers of Jesus Christ who read it today. What an edifying, Christ-exalting read.

a great read to a compelling dialogue

the story that is presented here is a great dialogue mostly between Luke the position, and antibiotics, benefactor of the city of Pergamum. the story is both compelling and motivating to become the Christ follower that God wants of each of us. boldness, courageousness, and a choice to who you will serve is presented here. The reader of this book could not have done a better job. I highly recommend the audiobook.

excellent historical fiction set in biblical times

This book is historical fiction presented as a set of letters between Antipas and others, including Luke, as Antipas reads Luke's first volume and learns about Christianity. It's a great way to learn what life was like in the early church and Roman empire of Domitian.

Captures The First Century World

I really enjoyed and benefited from this account. Though I am well aware of the honor-shame culture of the first century Roman Empire from various sources, I thought this captured the challenges of Christianity and its counter intuitive message of self-sacrifice, not seeking honor, as well as the crucifixion of Jesus very effectively. I enjoyed the elements of missing letters and missing correspondence, so common to research in ancient documents. It brought alive the first century picture, particularly in Asia, and the cities of Pergamum and Ephesus.

I also appreciated the accent of the narrator. Although speaking in English it helped to capture for me the flavor of what a Mediterranean Greek speaker in the first century may have sounded like.

Just a really enjoyable experience. And a powerful one.

Wow! Deeply Moving

This book came recommended by the provost of an online class I took on Ephesians by the Bible Project. “It’s deeply moving,” he said, and he was right! Tears were streaming down my face hearing the last chapter. My faith, I feel, has been bolstered by this work. Even my spirit resonated with its central themes. I do consider myself a devout Christian, however, this book makes me realize how privileged I really am to be living in this age where Christianity is widely accepted as normal! Thank God for all those like our dear brother, Antipas who’s sacrifice made this age possible.

Get the Audio!

This particular book was assigned as a reading material and needed to write a paper. I could not catch on to the letters and began to feel a Bit discouraged until I found the book on audio! It brought the letters to life! I enjoyed the story and historical content of the book.