Title: I, Saul
Author: Jerry B. Jenkins with James S. MacDonald
Genre: Historical Fiction, Biblical History, Mystery
Plot: Seminary professor, Augustine Knox, has been called to find and authenticate some biblical scrolls and letters about Saul of Tarsus. When he arrives, Augustine learns that others are on the trail of the letters. The others will stop at nothing to get the letters. How will Augustine find the letters? Will the others searching find them first? Will they take Augustine out of the equation? Or can Augustine find a way to stop the others? If he finds them, how can he keep them from falling into the wrong hands? Two thousand years ago, a young man, Saul, is studying to be a priest. He’s a bright man and a quick learner. But he’s also proud and eager to show off what he knows. His toughest decisions are deciding which school to attend, and how to impress a girl he likes. At school, he soon surpasses his peers. He becomes prouder and more arrogant. His friends soon find others to spend time with. After school, Saul finds a seat on the Sanhedrin. Saul promises to deal with the growing Christian population. Stephen is first target. Then, on the way to Demascus, he is blinded by a light and hears Jesus. But will he listen to what Jesus has to say? Or will he stay stuck in his old ways? Will the Christians trust him?
Rating: 4.0 – a well written book about history and mystery
Opinion: This was an interesting mystery surrounding a biblical story. Most Christians know at least a little about Saul, turned Paul. I enjoyed learning about one of the greatest, if not thee greatest, early Christian leaders. I didn’t know much of his past before Stephan and the road to Damascus. It provided a lot of insight on how Saul got to where he was. It also gave an interesting theory to what he describes as ‘a thorn in his side.’ The story is split in two, one part following Augustine and the other following Saul. The changes take place at the starts of chapters, which makes it easier to follow. While Augustine’s story focuses more on his relationships with his parents, there is still enough mystery to keep the story interesting. It was interesting because they story includes the police in a more logical way than other stories I’ve read. I enjoyed the little Italian phrases to see how much I could understand, as it is a related language to Spanish. If you’re looking for a good part historical fiction, part mystery, then I’d recommend this book. This is also a great book for those who are looking for a biblical story and learning more about Saul of Tarsus.
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