A Distant Presence: The Story Behind Paul's Letter to the Philippians (Narrative Commentary Series)

Rating:
Summary: Injecting Life in Still Images
Review: I admit -- when I think of the early church, my imagination borrows lavishly from Jewel Miller filmstrips of my youth. There is the Apostle, writing from a prison cell. And here he is, clamped in the stocks in a Philippian jail; bruised, but not bowed. Every image, locked down, frozen, neatly framed . . . sepia-tinted, motionless and slightly unfocused. How often have I read the Apostle Paul's letter to the church at Philippi, seining for rules I can apply to daily living, yet missing Paul's point? Tim Woodroof's book reveals the undercurrents that Paul deftly navigated in writing his message. In his poignant and very personal letter to his dear, distant Madedonian friends, the aging apostle emphasized that the solid footing for a Christian walk is loving, joyful relationships -- not rules. Relationships with the Savior certainly, but also with one another. Tim Woodroof's refreshing commentary animates my mental images, bringing to life individuals in the family of Christ at Philippi, helping me to appreciate more fully the priceless treasure that has been preserved for us in the letter to that church. _A Distant Presence_ is well-written and engrossing; exhibiting excellent scholarship and sound theology. The margin questions and end notes helped establish the plausibility of the settings and events described in the narrative. I commend this book to all readers of The Word.

Rating:
Summary: The book of Philippians comes to life!!
Review: Tim Woodroof is a masterful story teller that brings the biblical letter of Philippians to life! Tim, through apparent extensive secular and scriptural historical research, enhanced my visual images surrounding the circumstances of the Philippian Christians at the time Paul writes the letter and enriched my appreciation for the message. The development of the Simeon character is brilliant!! Thanks Tim for sharing your tremendous insights; please write more along this line!!

Rating:
Summary: The book of Philippians comes to life!!
Review: Tim Woodroof is a masterful story teller that brings the biblical letter of Philippians to life! Tim, through apparent extensive secular and scriptural historical research, enhanced my visual images surrounding the circumstances of the Philippian Christians at the time Paul writes the letter and enriched my appreciation for the message. The development of the Simeon character is brilliant!! Thanks Tim for sharing your tremendous insights; please write more along this line!!