"Phoebe" by Paula Gooder explores the life of the deaconess who delivered Paul's letter to Rome. This historical novel delves into early Christian faith and theology.

Paula Gooder

Cover

About the Author

Title Page

Imprint Page

Part One

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32 Part Two

Notes

Select Bibliography

Hodder Faith

Sometime around 56 AD, the apostle Paul wrote to the church in Rome. His letter was arguably his theological masterpiece, and has continued to shape Christian faith ever since. He entrusted this letter to Phoebe, the deacon of the church at Cenchreae; in writing to the church that almost surely met in her home, Paul refers to her both as a deacon and as a helper or patron of many. But who was this remarkable woman?   
  
In this, her first novel, Biblical scholar and popular author and speaker Paula Gooder tells Phoebe's story - who she was, the life she lived and her first-century faith - and in doing so opens up Paul's theology, giving a sense of the cultural and historical pressures that shaped Paul's thinking, and the faith of the early church.   
  
Written in the gripping style of Gerd Theissen's The Shadow of the Galilean, and similarly rigorously researched, this is a novel for everyone and anyone who wants to engage more deeply and imaginatively with Paul's theology - from one of the UK's foremost New Testament scholars.

The gripping first novel from renowned New Testament scholar Paula Gooder, which brings alive first-century Christianity and the apostle Paul as never before.

Sometime around 56 AD, the apostle Paul wrote to the church in Rome. His letter was arguably his theological masterpiece, and has continued to shape Christian faith ever since. He entrusted this letter to Phoebe, the deacon of the church at Cenchreae; in writing to the church that almost surely met in her home, Paul refers to her both as a deacon and as a helper or patron of many. But who was this remarkable woman? In this, her first novel, Biblical scholar and popular author and speaker Paula Gooder tells Phoebe's story - who she was, the life she lived and her first-century faith - and in doing so opens up Paul's theology, giving a sense of the cultural and historical pressures that shaped Paul's thinking, and the faith of the early church. Written in the gripping style of Gerd Theissen's The Shadow of the Galilean, and similarly rigorously researched, this is a novel for everyone and anyone who wants to engage more deeply and imaginatively with Paul's theology - from one of the UK's foremost New Testament scholars.

Dr Paula Gooder is a writer and lecturer in Biblical Studies. Her research areas focus on the writings of the apostle Paul, with a particular focus on 2 Corinthians and on Paul's understanding of the body. Her passion is to ignite people's enthusiasm for reading the Bible today, by presenting the best of biblical scholarship in an accessible and interesting way. Until recently she was Theologian in Residence at Bible Society.

\["For fans of thoughtful Biblical Fiction","Paula Gooder brings her vast expertise to this novel of the story of Phoebe","Phoebe brings to life the world of the Apostle Paul"\]

A debut novel like no other, renown Biblical scholar and speaker Paul Gooder uses her expertise to create a vivid and moving Biblical story.

"Phoebe" is a historical novel by Paula Gooder, exploring the life of Phoebe, a deacon in early Christianity. It delves into Paul's theology and first-century faith, suitable for all readers.

An engrossing story... Gooder's profound scholarship is lightly and effectively incorporated... Electrifying... a very effective and thought-provoking dramatization... Highly recommended — Miranda Threlfall-Holmes

This book is a really vivid and sympathetic picture of the world of the first Christians, opened up through the personality of Paul's colleague and friend, Phoebe. Very few people are as expert as Paula Gooder in communicating biblical scholarship clearly and creatively, and this first venture into historical story-telling will bring the biblical text freshly alive for a wide and enthusiastic readership. — Rowan Williams

Enter Dr Paula Gooder, with her fine scholarship, brilliant research and articulate imagination... If I had one word to describe Phoebe, it would be 'charm'. — Richard Littledale

Gooder's application of Christian theology to her story of Phoebe is masterful — Church Times

Phoebe does not disappoint: it is a very enjoyable and interesting story. — Christian Librarian Magazine

__Sometime around 56 AD, the apostle Paul wrote to the church in Rome. His letter was arguably his theological masterpiece, and has continued to shape Christian faith ever since. He entrusted this letter to Phoebe, the deacon of the church at Cenchreae; in writing to the church that almost surely met in her home, Paul refers to her both as a deacon and as a helper or patron of many. But who was this remarkable woman?__   
  
In this, her first work of fiction, Biblical scholar and popular author and speaker Paula Gooder tells Phoebe's story - who she was, the life she lived and her first-century faith - and in doing so opens up Paul's theology, giving a sense of the cultural and historical pressures that shaped Paul's thinking, and the faith of the early church.   
  
__Written in the gripping style of Gerd Theissen's The Shadow of the Galilean, and similarly rigorously researched, this is a book for everyone and anyone who wants to engage more deeply and imaginatively with Paul's theology - from one of the UK's foremost New Testament scholars.__   
  
__(P) Hodder &amp; Stoughton Ltd__

__The gripping first work of fiction from renowned New Testament scholar Paula Gooder, which brings alive first-century Christianity and the apostle Paul as never before.__

An engrossing story... Gooder's profound scholarship is lightly and effectively incorporated... Electrifying... a very effective and thought-provoking dramatization... Highly recommended

This book is a really vivid and sympathetic picture of the world of the first Christians, opened up through the personality of Paul's colleague and friend, Phoebe. Very few people are as expert as Paula Gooder in communicating biblical scholarship clearly and creatively, and this first venture into historical story-telling will bring the biblical text freshly alive for a wide and enthusiastic readership.

Enter Dr Paula Gooder, with her fine scholarship, brilliant research and articulate imagination... If I had one word to describe Phoebe, it would be 'charm'.

Gooder's application of Christian theology to her story of Phoebe is masterful

Phoebe does not disappoint: it is a very enjoyable and interesting story.

'An engrossing story... Gooder's profound scholarship is lightly and effectively incorporated... Electrifying... a very effective and thought-provoking dramatization... Highly recommended'.

This is a clever book which delights on two levels . . . if the story is good, the commentary is better, and one suspects this is Gooder's prime purpose . . . I strongly recommend this book, which will both entertain and inform.

scholarship ... underpins every element of the story.

'In Phoebe, the New Testament scholar Paula Gooder sets out to imagine the biography that history alone cannot reconstruct. She makes use of her considerable expertise to endow Phoebe with a dramatic but believable past, and populates the nascent church in Rome with characters who are credible... A vivid and accessible introduction to the context in which Paul and Phoebe operated... For anyone who wants to understand more about the small and distinctive world of early Christianity, Phoebe is to be recommended.'

"Phoebe" by Paula Gooder explores the life of the deacon who delivered Paul's letter to Rome. This historical fiction delves into early church faith and Paul's theology.

\["For those curious about early Christian women.", "\\"Phoebe\\" reveals the story behind Paul's letter.", "You\\u2019ll deepen your faith and understand Paul's message."\]

Discover the inspiring story of Phoebe, a remarkable woman who played a vital role in the early church and shaped Paul's theology in this engaging novel by Paula Gooder.

John Pearse

Superbly written and researched story, through which, including the accompanying notes, I got a better insight into Paul and the Roman Church than if I had read any Bible commentary. I appreciated the writing in simple English, with an absence of academic terms, which even I can understand. I look forward to Paula Gooder's next story, perhaps based on her expert knowledge of the Corinthian Church.

Greatly recommended

Virginia Balchin

The book provides a wonderful insight into the culture and thinking of the period when Paul was travelling. Especially the position of slaves. It helps bring to life the bible text. Alongside the teaching given in the notes, is a very readable and moving story in which different shades of discipleship are explore.

READABLE

Louise Cook

I just loved this book. I'm studying Romans at the moment so it was really helpful insight into how Romans might have been received when Phoebe first delivered it. But beyond that it touched every emotion from tears to joy. Even the end notes (which Paula Gooder was so apologetic about) are fascinating background and helpful in understanding first century Christians and their world. For me it delivered both purely as a story and as an educational vehicle.

Compelling story. Couldn't put it down

Nancy Hands

Beautifully written, with well drawn characters and believable action. Most enjoyable.

Great story

Jacqueline Ough

A well researched and entertaining read. Helps you to feel, hear and draw alongside the characters from the bible. Hard to put down.

Great

David Adsett

This was recommended by a new member to our theological reading group who had recently read it. We all found it easy to read (we have had some pretty heavy going choices in the past!) and liked the division of the imagined story and the research notes which formed about a third of the book. We all found it interesting and informative, particularly illuminating the social context of the early Church. As the author says it is not a fictional novel but imagined telling from the facts we are given in Paul’s letters. We all enjoyed it and picked up on interesting points.

Interesting

Phoebe

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