3rd October, 2011

SIU FUNG WU

The Lost Letters of Pergamum

Bruce W Longenecker

Baker, Grand Rapids, 2003
ISBN-13: 978-0801026072

"The genius of this book is Professor Bruce Longenecker’s ability to narrate a powerful tale through the lens of early church history."

My son, who is in Grade 5, developed a keen interest in history early this year. By coincidence, I came across a book called The Lost Letters of Pergamum. I thought it might be a good book for me to read with my son. Last month we spent some time every other night to read it together. It was an amazing experience, to say the least.

Pergamum is one of the seven cities mentioned in the book of Revelation. It was to the seven churches in these cities that John wrote Revelation. The main character of The Lost Letters of Pergamum is Antipas, who once resided in Pergamum, and his name is mentioned in Revelation 2: 13. The book consists of a collection of fictional correspondences between Antipas and Luke (the writer of Luke’s Gospel), as well as a few other Christians in late first century.

Antipas is portrayed as a nobleman of high social standing, whose allegiance was to Caesar Domitian (who was Roman Emperor from AD 81 to 96). His interest in literature and history drew him to Luke and his monograph on the life of Jesus, which turned out to be Luke’s Gospel, as we know it today. As Antipas read Luke’s Gospel, and as he spent time with the followers of Jesus in Pergamum, he came face to face with the life-transforming Gospel, which demanded a radical shift in his allegiance and life-orientation.

As my son and I read the “lost” letters of Pergamum, we were drawn to Antipas’ story, and the stories of other Christians in the early church. We developed a sense of affection for various characters in the book, and how the Gospel transformed their lives.

We knew how Antipas’ life would end, for Revelation 2: 13 had already told us what would happen to him. But it did not stop us from being deeply touched by the book’s conclusion. It was a celebration of the power of the Gospel in very troubled times. Just as Antipas’s life was totally turned around, so would the world be turned upside-down by the Gospel.

The genius of this book is Professor Bruce Longenecker’s ability to narrate a powerful tale through the lens of early church history. At the same time the story of Jesus is retold through the fictional accounts of Antipas and the early Christians in Pergamum. As a result, we modern readers reap the benefit of learning from Longenecker (a prominent Biblical scholar) important elements of New Testament history through a very user-friendly story. We are indebted to Longenecker for teaching us something about Luke’s Gospel, the background of Revelation, and the ancient letter writing style that shaped much of the New Testament.

The Lost Letters of Pergamum is not so much a light bedtime reading. But neither is it an academic book that demands a heavy intellectual engagement. Rather, it is for Christians, pastors, theological students, and even children (from upper primary onwards), who want to gain insights into the New Testament and the power of the Gospel through a superb storyline that is both intriguing and engaging. I highly recommend this book.

FOR MORE ON BOOKS, visit our books page here...