Historical novels

David M. Scholer dscholer at fuller.edu
Tue Jul 11 20:04:07 EDT 2000


I have appreciated the discussion the last three days of historical novels
portraying the New Testament period and events.  I have two comments.

Although not related to the New Testament per se, the novels (now eleven) of
Lindsey Davis are all set in the AD 60s-70s in the Roman Empire.  I find
them very fine portrayals of the social-cultural life at the time of the
rise of the early church.  They are mysteries, which feature a detective
(informer) named Marcus Didius Falco.  He is of the lower class, but his
"girl friend," Helena, is the daughter of a senator, so the novels portray
the range of social life.  I think her first novel is *Silver Pigs;* the
tenth is *Two for the Lions;* I do not have the other titles immediately at
hand.

Although probably not at all secure in terms of accurate historical
information, I would add the following novels on Paul to those already
mentioned:

Berstl, Julius.  The Tentmaker (1952; originally in German).
Blythe, LeGette.  Man on Fire (1964).
Henry, Lyman I.  Paul, Son of Kish 1923; published by the University of
Chicago    Press).
Neilson, Winthrop and Frances.  That Lydian Woman (1975).
Neilson, Winthrop and Frances.  The Woman Who Loved Paul (1978; Priscilla).
Stechan, H. O.  The Great Apostle (1930; actually, this is a play).

Someone has already mentioned Milton Steiberg's *As a Driven Leaf.*  I
simply want to say that I enjoyed that novel very much.  It is set in
Antioch of Syria.

David M. Scholer
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David M. Scholer
Professor of New Testament and 
Associate Dean for the Center for Advanced Theological Studies
Fuller Theological Seminary
Pasadena, CA 91182
626-584-5288; Fax: 626-584-5251; E-mail: dscholer at fuller.edu

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