Great Lion of God
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Author Description
New York Times Bestseller: A “beautifully written” and “truly outstanding” novel based on the life of Paul the Apostle (The Cincinnati Enquirer).Born a veritable great lion of God to a devout Jewish family, Saul of Tarsus is raised by his parents to embrace their love of humanity. Dogged by what he perceives as a lack of true faith, he embarks on a journey to save his people from sacrilege. But on the road to Damascus a vision of the resurrected Jesus changes the course of his life. Converting to Christianity, the newly christened Paul transforms from persecutor of blasphemers into apostle to the gentiles, becoming one of the supreme influences on the Catholic Church and the Western world.Great Lion of God paints a unique and very human portrait of Saint Paul, one of the most passionate, dauntless, and complex figures of early Christianity—Pharisee, lawyer, theologian, and above all, a “man like ourselves with our own despairs, doubts, anxieties and angers and intolerances, and ‘lusts of the flesh.’”The central novel in author Taylor Caldwell’s biblical trilogy, which also includes Dear and Glorious Physician and I, Judas, Great Lion of God is both “sheer entertainment” and a moving tribute to the majesty and power of the Christian faith (Fort Worth Star-Telegram).This ebook features an illustrated biography of Taylor Caldwell including rare images from the author’s estate.
Menrva's Summary
THE PULSE
A devout Pharisee and lawyer, Saul of Tarsus, undergoes a radical transformation after a vision on the road to Damascus forces him to confront his own faith and the nature of divinity. Driven by a desire to protect his people from what he views as religious sacrilege, Saul initially acts as a fierce persecutor of the early Christian movement. His objective shifts entirely following his conversion, as he dedicates his life to spreading the teachings of Jesus to the gentiles. The narrative explores the internal conflict of a man grappling with his own human frailties, including doubt, anger, and desire, while navigating the volatile political and religious landscape of the ancient world.
INSIDE THE PAGES
- Detailed historical reconstruction of first-century Tarsus and Jerusalem
- Psychological exploration of Saul’s transition from Pharisee to Apostle
- Focus on the humanization of biblical figures through internal monologue
- Examination of the tension between Jewish tradition and early Christian doctrine
- Portrayal of the socio-political climate under Roman occupation
- Integration of theological debates within a narrative framework
- Emphasis on the physical and emotional toll of the protagonist's mission
- Use of a third-person limited perspective to ground the epic scope in personal experience
THE COLLECTIVE ECHO
Critics and readers have long regarded this work as a significant entry in the genre of biblical fiction, frequently praising its ability to render ancient figures with contemporary psychological depth. The Cincinnati Enquirer noted the writing as both beautiful and outstanding, highlighting the author's skill in balancing historical research with narrative momentum. Readers often respond to the portrayal of Paul not as a distant saint, but as a man defined by his anxieties and human struggles. The novel remains recognized for its contribution to a broader trilogy that seeks to humanize central figures of the Christian faith through accessible and dramatic storytelling.
Page Count:
669
Publication Date:
1970-01-01
Publisher:
fontana books, collins
ISBN-10:
0006143946
ISBN-13:
9780006143949
Historical Fiction
Contemporary
Biblical Fiction
Religious Fiction
Biographical fiction
Literature & Fiction
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