Priscilla by Ben Witherington III

Priscilla by Ben Witherington III ISBN-13: 9780830852482 Paperback: 208 pages Publisher: IVP Academic Released: May 14, 2019

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Readers of the Bible may know her as the wife of Aquila, Paul's coworker, or someone who explained God to Apollos. Biblical references to Priscilla spark questions: Why is she mentioned before her husband? Does the mention of her instruction of Apollos mean that women taught in the church? What is her story?

Ben Witherington addresses these questions and more in Priscilla: The Life of an Early Christian. In this work of historical fiction, Priscilla looks back on her long life and remembers the ways she has participated in the early church. Her journey has taken her to Ephesus, Corinth, and Rome, and she's partnered with Paul and others along the way.

Priscilla's story makes the first-century biblical world come alive and helps readers connect the events and correspondence in different New Testament books. Witherington combines biblical scholarship and storytelling to give readers a vivid picture of an important New Testament woman.


My Review:
Priscilla is educational biographical fiction about what life was like for the early Christians. Priscilla (wife of Aquila) recounted her life from when she was visiting Jerusalem when the Holy Spirit came down (in Acts) through historical events like the Jews (and Christians) being expelled from Rome, the deaths of Peter and Paul, and the destruction of the Temple in 70 AD.

The author wove historical information and what daily life was like into the story along with events mentioned in the New Testament that she would (or could) have witnessed or participated in. He also included his views and explanations about things like why Priscilla in mentioned before Aquila and if women were allowed to teach. I didn't always agree with his take on things (like the first gospel being finished after the fall of the Temple), but they aren't uncommon views.

There were footnotes explaining where quotes or certain information came from. There were some nice black-and-white pictures of archaeological finds that illustrated information in the story. Overall, I'd recommend this interesting book, especially to those who know little about the historical backdrop of the first 60 years of early Christianity.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.