By Jerome Murphy- O'Conner
Jerome Murphy-O’Connor, Professor of New Testament at the Ecole Biblique of Jerusalem since 1967, gives an enticing study, extracting his information from a variety of sources, pagan, Jewish and Christian. He imaginatively interweaves geographical, cultural and historical elements that reveal important parallel trajectories in the lives of Jesus and Paul. His discussion begins with the births, early years, and family settings. He continues with an examination of their education, refugee status, social class, economic position, political circumstances, cultural influences and conversion experiences. Finally, he explores details surrounding their deaths. In the end, the book gives incisive comparisons that suggest novel ways of picturing Jesus and Paul, thereby eliciting a greater appreciation for the missions of both.
