You will select one of the three historical novels on which to write a short book review: • Bruce Longenecker’s The Lost Letters of Pergamum (which focuses on Luke, Revelation, and Greco-Roman life in Asia Minor [modern Turkey]); or • Ben Witherington’s A Week in the Life of Corinth (which focuses on Paul, Corinthians, and Greco-Roman life in Greece); or • Gerd Theissen’s The Shadow of the Galilean (which focuses on Jesus, the Gospels, and Jewish life in Palestine). Your book review should be 400-600 words long (not more or less). Begin by (very!) briefly summarizing the content of the book (like in a sentence or two). Then continue by addressing at least two of the following points (though addressing more may improve your grade): 1. In the book, how do distinctions in social class and the pursuit of honor, patronage, and reciprocity affect daily life in the first-century world? How do these distinctions and pursuits change in light of joining the Christian community? 2. In each book a character is slowly “converted” to Christ. (Or is he?) What factors persuade him? What factors hold him back? Are these different than today’s influences? 3. Has reading this narrative changed the way that you understand particular episodes or parts of the New Testament? Explain with specifics. End the review by assessing the book’s literary value and narrative approach. Was it a good read? Where could it have been improved? Would you recommend it to others? Why or why not? Your book review must demonstrate to me through your reflection that you read the book carefully. Don’t simply take the narrative at face value; engage critically with the story being told.
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