The Lost Letters of Pergamum: A Story from the New Testament World - Paperback

by Bruce W. Longenecker (Author)

A Fascinating Glimpse into the World of the New Testament

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 history sparks Antipas's interest, and they begin corresponding. While the account is fictional, the author is a highly respected New Testament scholar who weaves reliable historical information into a fascinating story, offering a fresh, engaging, and creative way to learn about the New Testament world. The first edition has been widely used in the classroom (over 30,000 copies sold). This updated edition, now with improved readability and narrative flow, will bring the social and political world of Jesus and his first followers to life for many more students of the Bible.

Back Jacket

This fascinating story of a Roman citizen's spiritual transformation gives a reliable glimpse into the world of the New Testament and the early church. The second edition has been updated with improved readability and narrative flow.

Praise for the First Edition

"For a painless introduction to the historical context of early Christian life in Asia Minor, this is the book to get. . . . Longenecker uses the fictitious correspondence as a way of informing the modern reader about everyday life in these ancient times. He composes these letters with skill and helps bring alive--and with great historical accuracy--the conditions under which the earliest Christians lived their faith."
--Donald Senior, CP, The Bible Today

"The book will be particularly useful to those beginning NT studies and wanting to get into the NT world."
--David Wenham, Themelios

"Longenecker offers a creative avenue for exposing students to cultural and historical backgrounds of the New Testament. . . . [He] must be applauded for his well-written, historically 'true to life' story. . . . This book could be used nicely as a supplementary text for a college or seminary New Testament class."
--Robert L. Plummer, Southern Baptist Journal of Theology

"The importance of this book is the picture it provides of the first-century world of Asia Minor and the situation that many Christians there likely encountered. Longenecker presents a plausible and generally reliable picture of Greco-Roman society in Asia Minor at the end of the first century CE. The narrative format provides an entertaining read while offering informed insights into early Christianity and its environment. The book would work well as supplemental reading in a course on Revelation or early Christianity."
--Mitchell G. Reddish, Perspectives in Religious Studies

Author Biography

Bruce W. Longenecker (PhD, University of Durham) is professor of religion and W. W. Melton Chair of Religion at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. He is the author or coauthor of numerous books, including Thinking through Paul, The Cross before Constantine, and Philippians and Philemon in Paideia: Commentaries on the New Testament.