What a great book Ben writes in a way that makes you think you were in 1st century corinth l, He is becoming one of my favorite writers ( )

Quick, entertaining and enlightning story. Helps give a good idea of what life was like in Corinth and the setting in which some of Paul's letters were written. And it helps give an idea of how a follower of Christ lives and functions in a pagan world. ( )

What a great book Ben writes in a way that makes you think you were in 1st century corinth l, He is becoming one of my favorite writers ( )

Paul, the apostle, spent several years teaching and preaching in Corinth. He worked with Aquilla and Priscilla. He lived with and converted Jewish temple leaders along with hundreds of other Jews and gentiles in Corinth. When he couldn't be with the Corinthian converts, he sent some of his disciples to guide them. He loved the people of Corinth and wrote two letters to them which have become part of the Biblical canon. Wouldn't it be wonderful to know something about what Corinth was like when Paul lived there?

Ben Witherington III, a well-published Biblical scholar, has used his scholarly background and knowledge to produce a fiction set in the Corinth Paul would have known. The story line follows a former slave who is now a young business man. The story is fairly simple and engaging. But woven into and around the story, are details of the culture and physical realities of life in the first century after Christ's birth.

Witherington has provided photographs of artifacts and architecture from the time period, along with maps and diagrams to help the reader visualize at least some aspects of life in a busy, urban center. There are many asides which provide in depth explanations of cultural practices.

A Week in the Life of Corinth is an easily understood story built to loosely incorporate Paul's missionary work. It enriches a reader's appreciation of the society and physical surroundings in which Paul worked and taught. This is a wonderful story to share with young scholars and is a good resource for those who want to understand the cultural milieu of the early Church in Corinth.

Witherington III, Ben. A week in the life of Corinth.

Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2012. ( )

Very informative. Witherington splices together historical fiction and scholarly commentary to produce an excellent teaching aid. The result is fiction that is too choppy and short for a captivating plot, but perfect for enjoyable learning.

The story takes place in the mid-first century, at the time Paul the Apostle was church planting. Paul plays a heavy role, but he’s not the main character. Instead, some obscure characters in the Bible are fleshed out and brought to life (maybe you remember Gallio, but I bet you’ve never heard of Erastos or Nicanor … and kudos if you have!) Erastos is running for public office in Corinth, Nicanor is his slave, and Paul, though he does not involve himself in politics, is his usual Christian self. The “scholarly commentary” I alluded to comes in the way of one- or two-page inserts titled “A Closer Look,” which are peppered throughout the text.

This book is not preachy, nor even very “Christian” until the final page or two. Instead, it’s just a great way to familiarize yourself with one of the major cities in the Bible, particularly during the time of Paul. Highly recommended! ( )