THE LIFE OF THE APOSTLE PAUL: A 21st Century Update of James Stalker

In his treatment of the life of the Apostle Paul, Stalker followed one of the most remarkable transformations and missionary careers recorded in Scripture. Saul of Tarsus appears first as a highly trained Pharisee and determined persecutor of the Christian congregation. After encountering the resurrected Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus, he became the Apostle Paul, a tireless preacher, missionary, congregation builder, defender of the gospel, and inspired writer whose ministry carried the Christian message throughout much of the Roman world.

THIS IS NOT A REPRINT OF JAMES STALKER’S ORIGINAL WORK.

More than a century has passed since Stalker wrote. While the biblical history upon which his work was based has not changed, much of the language, literary style, historical discussion, and method of presentation belong to another era and are not always immediately accessible to twenty-first-century readers.

This edition is a thorough modern reworking of Stalker’s treatment of Paul. I have preserved the central purpose of following the apostle’s life historically and chronologically while completely rewriting the language, organization, chapter titles, headings, explanations, and presentation. The reader follows Paul from his education under Gamaliel and persecution of Christians through his conversion, missionary journeys, defense of Gentile believers, ministry in the great cities of the Roman world, arrest in Jerusalem, imprisonment in Caesarea, voyage to Rome, later ministry, final imprisonment, and death.

Wherever possible, Stalker’s ability to keep the reader focused on the movement of the biblical narrative has been retained while the scriptural foundation has been strengthened. The historical-grammatical method governs the interpretation throughout. Acts and Paul’s inspired writings are read according to their historical setting, vocabulary, grammar, context, and intended meaning, with the biblical record providing the controlling framework for reconstructing his life and ministry.

Scripture remains the final authority for understanding Paul. His life cannot be explained merely as the career of an unusually determined religious thinker. He was transformed by his encounter with the resurrected Jesus Christ and spent the remainder of his life proclaiming the gospel, strengthening Christian congregations, defending the truth, enduring severe opposition, and carrying out the ministry entrusted to him.

My prayer is that this twenty-first-century presentation will help a new generation follow Paul’s life with greater clarity, understand the historical and biblical setting of his ministry more fully, and gain a deeper appreciation for the remarkable transformation of Saul of Tarsus into one of the foremost servants of Jesus Christ.