A Book Recommendation

I have always enjoyed reading and find that I choose a variety of different titles and categories to keep in my bag, different friends to spend time with. I always have a book in hand, a reading in progress, or find myself in conversation with someone about what they are reading and why. Sometimes these books are for leisure, sometimes from recommendation and frequently from this Master's of Divinity degree, some are assigned. The book listed, The Lost Letters of Pergamum by Bruce W. Longenecker and Ben Witherington happens to fulfill all three, and turned out to be an inspirational, educational, moving page turner.

Do yourself a big favor and stop by the bookstore, or the library or check online and download this volume. It is a fictional novel, written within the format of an exchange of letters, but is filled will specific facts and history which help share an well-rounded representation of the early Christian church.

Such as letters written in the contemporary history of the gospels of Mark, Luke and Matthew have the person who wrote the letter listed first, describing their placement in relation to the recipient, or social status or other power affiliations. For most letters, the first line was akin to a resume - short, sweet and to the point.

Though fictional in format, the authors took several opportunities to include details of city government, honor codes between men and women/slaves and masters, the building and function of the gladiatorial games, the different class levels of slavery and ancient hospitality. Authentic history is dressed up in a business casual outfit - you can't help but learn something new each chapter.

One cool subject encountered (okay, it was cool to me!) is the matter of how communities developed a library. Wealthy individuals would be in search of certain authors and works, like Homer's Iliad, and an owner would lend it understanding that there would be scribe slaves and artisans drawn together to copy it to create a new copy, frequently adding new illustrations, improved bindings and covers. There were no levels of copyright protection for ideas or works of literature; there were no publishing houses or guilds which protected the product of a book or song or artwork. Once a copy had been made, the original would be returned from whom it was borrowed.

It was within this library development circumstance that the Gospel of Luke is acquired as a copy to produce a copy for a wealthy citizen's collection. The letters which follow this initial encounter develop the scheme of the book. The reader is given the privilege to watch a friendship develop, a faith in Christ shared and an inspirational encouragement to the progress of evangelism.

The central theme of this book is the profound impact friendship and faith have upon each other. Evangelism is not a "tag, you're it!" experience, exalted by the hundreds of touches you can have with bustin' some souls for the name of statistics or notches within a spiritual belt. Instead, the author focuses in the profound placement authentic friendship includes to a full, transformational relationship with the living Savior, Christ Jesus. The authors accentuate the growth of friendship and the length of time one contact in the journey of evangelism actually lasted. It was not merely reading the gospel of Luke that brought about faith, but shared meals, overnight hospitality, numerous letters and communications, visiting a few churches

Friendship is important - it is not trivial or superficial. Friendship which is not reliant upon second and third layer agendas, but from a love which grows out of the desire to seek the best for another person. God honors friendship, it is a gift from Him and a relationship which He sanctifies.

Open yourself up to the friends who are around you, share who you are, share yourself and your faith. Share your faith through a mutual love, and stay encouraged for the long road that journey of evangelism may be. Someone's salvation may be waiting in the wings, simply needing the action of your friendship.

"Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: 'God authorized and commanded me to comission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, ,arking them with baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I'll be with you as you do this, day after day, right up to the end of the age.'" Matthew 28:18-20 The Message