I, Saul by Jerry B. Jenkins

My rating: 1 of 5 stars

I originally thought this was a biography of Saul/Paul when I first requested the book. I was somewhat disappointed to find out it was a mix of modern day and a fictionalized time that we know little about, but decided to keep an open mind. It started out fairly well, and I was enjoying it. I was taken aback that Scriptures set in Paul's time weren't from the King James Version. The modern language did NOT fit with the time and their way of speaking. Unfortunately, it got a lot worse after that. The modern day times were okay, but I definitely enjoyed the sections from Paul's time less and less. Originally, even though it was a fictionalized account, I felt that the character shown could very well fit with what we know of Saul/Paul. I had a definite issue with the whole issue of Naomi and Paul years and years later ending a day of preaching and service for God with tears over a lost love given what the Scriptures teach us, especially having Paul call them his "adulterous yearning". That frankly made me sick and--honestly--somewhat angry with the author. When they started changing the Bible I was ready to pitch the whole book and only finished it as I was so near the end.

This book has Paul being with (though not an actual member)of the Sanhedrin during Christ's time and the sole person to bring about the death of Stephen. The Bible says "Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord..." but the book has only Saul crying out and giving all the instructions on how to kill him instead of just laying their clothes at his feet However, the Bible clearly calls Saul a "young man" at the time of Stephen's death. According to the book he would be well over 30, and at 30 he would be considered a "man" and lose the distinction of "young man". There is no way the Sanhedrin would follow a young man in such weighty matters.

I can deal with a poorly written book, a book that just isn't my cup of tea, or even a character or characters I don't care for. Call me a fanatic, purist, Bible-believer (I'll thank you for the compliment!), but DON'T mess with God's Word!! I try to be generous in my reviews even with books I don't care for or actively dislike, but I will not be gentle with someone twisting or changing the Bible. That alone dropped this from a probably 3 star to a 1 star (I can't give it no stars) review.

I received a copy of this book from Worthy Publishing for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.