A Week in the Life of Rome, by James L. Papandrea / A Week in the Life of Ephesus, by David A. DeSilva
This book review examines James L. Papandrea's historical fiction "A Week in the Life of Rome," which depicts early Christian believers in Rome around AD 50 struggling to live faithfully amid pagan culture, persecution, and social deprivation. The resource discusses how the book combines historical accuracy through cultural sidebars with fictional narrative about biblical and historical figures, exploring themes of Christian witness, fellowship, and evangelism in the apostolic era. The review evaluates the book's presentation of early Christian life and the antithetical struggle between believers and the surrounding Roman society.
A Week in the Life of Rome, by James L. Papandrea. Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 2019. 223 pages. Paperback. $16.00. Reviewed by Douglas J. Kuiper. Christians living in Rome in AD 50 endured many earthly struggles. Flimsy apartment buildings could quickly burn or suddenly collapse. People stood in bread lines by order of social status; often the bread ran out before the destitute received any. Another struggle was to live antithetically in a city filled with unregistered marriages,...
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