In a captivating discussion, NT Wright, a leading Bible scholar, teams up with Tom Holland, a bestselling historian, to dissect the life of St. Paul. They delve into how Paul's transformative experience on the road to Damascus led him to challenge societal norms and redefine power through suffering. Holland shares insights on Paul's radical teachings and their profound effects on Western civilization. The duo also explores the revolutionary ideals of equality and dignity fostered by Judeo-Christian values, highlighting their resonance in today’s world.
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insights INSIGHT
Paul's Complex Contextual Mind
Paul combined his Jewish upbringing with knowledge of the Roman and Greek worlds to navigate and spread his theology.
He was deeply engaged intellectually and spiritually, not just a theological brainbox.
insights INSIGHT
Christianity's Radical Contrast
The Roman world was brutal, callous, and exploitative, built on slave labor and unchecked male dominance.
Christianity, through Paul, introduced revolutionary ideas of love, equality, and dignity in this harsh context.
insights INSIGHT
Paul on Unity and Difference
Paul’s idea that all are one in Christ challenged social divisions but raised complex identity issues.
The tension between unity and distinct identities persists and Paul wrestled with this pastorally and theologically.
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In *Rubicon*, Sergeant Adrienne Valero is a soldier who has been resurrected nearly a hundred times using advanced technology called 'rezoning.' This process allows her to fight in a war against the Mechans, intelligent machines controlled by a hivemind. After her 96th resurrection, Valero is transferred to an elite special forces unit and equipped with a virtual intelligence implant named Rubicon. As Rubicon evolves into a sentient being, Valero and her new squad must undertake increasingly dangerous missions. The novel explores themes of trauma, camaraderie, and the psychological impact of repeated deaths and resurrections, set against a backdrop of a desperate war where humanity's survival is at stake.
Dynasty
The Rise and Fall of the House of Caesar
Tom Holland
This book by Tom Holland continues the story where his previous work, 'Rubicon', left off, following the murder of Julius Caesar. It delves into the lives of five Roman emperors—Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, and Nero—highlighting their vices, vicious behavior, and the intrigue, murder, and decadence that characterized their reigns. Despite their personal flaws, the Roman Empire continued to prosper during this period. Holland uses unreliable but lurid Roman sources like Tacitus and Suetonius, while also acknowledging modern scholarly perspectives. The narrative is rich in detail, covering not only the emperors but also the broader context of the Roman Empire's expansion and internal struggles[1][2][3].
A must-hear clash of minds from 2018: when two Toms – world-renowned Bible scholar NT Wright and bestselling historian Tom Holland – met on Unbelievable? podcast to discuss Paul: A Biography (SPCK).
Wright unpacks the life, character and world-changing mission of St Paul. Holland, though agnostic, shares why Paul’s message shocked the Roman world and reshaped Western values for centuries.
📖 Rome. Revolution. Revelation. This is Paul as you’ve never heard him before.
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