Paul

A Biography

By: N. T. Wright

Narrated by: James Langton

Length: 15 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

In this definitive biography, renowned Bible scholar, Anglican bishop, and best-selling 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.

©2018 Nicholas Thomas Wright (P)2018 HarperCollins Publishers

You do not need to be a scholar to enjoy this.

James Langton does a great job with this work. The listener does not have to be a Bible scholar to find this both interesting and informative. For full disclosure, Saint Paul has always been the most difficult of the early Christians for me to understand. Not holding myself out as a Bible scholar, or any sort of scholar. But I am happy to have this full view of Saint Paul.

great way to understand Paul and context.

fast paced, engaging, informative and read well.
an historical approach to understanding the man and his message. Worth every minute. the ending did not feel like the end. hopfully part two is on the way.

Great Insights!!!

I love the great knowledge and wisdom that Wright imparts in each book he shares with the world. This book is no exception - I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the scholarly insight into the life of Paul.

I liked the narrator - but I think this is a book better read on your own for the reason of a better method to absorb what’s been written.

History and Biblical exposition are met together

Tom Wright uses his skills as our foremost Pauline scholar in writing the apostle to the Gentiles story . Full of his usual wit , Tom supplants Ramsay, Bruce and the others as the foremost Pauline biography in my collection. Highly recommended.

a comprehensive study of the life of Paul

N. T. Wright provides the most comprehensive and holistic view of Paul and his life. His final chapter alone is worth buying the book as he ties a bow and connects all of who Paul is into the paradigm of the kingdom of God.

Worth the listen!

Well written with strong context that gave Paul life in the story. I enjoyed the historical perspective.

a great book

the book is well written. it is not a made up story about Paul. it is biased on the facts laided out in scripture. His strengths and weaknesses all here

whenever I start feeling deep...

I just pick up something by Tom Wright to put be back in my place.

A Unique Historical Character

This book is outside of my normal genre but I was looking for something to stretch my thinking. I am very satisfied with both the story and the narration. Beyond the story of Paul, which is in itself a complex life; learning more about this period of change and evolution in the roman empire is fascinating. I appreciated the authors efforts to take the reader from interpreting events using today's lens and instead helping us place these events in a more appropriate historical context.

Biography of the Apostle Paul

This is a comprehensive, outstanding work! It challenges past understandings and reveals a zealous follower of the one God whose life is radically changed.
It was read exceeding well!