Bibliograph

Apostle, or, Bones that shine like fire, travels among the tombs of the Twelve, Tom Bissell

Type

Label

Apostle, or, Bones that shine like fire, travels among the tombs of the Twelve, Tom Bissell

Language

eng

Bibliography note

Includes bibliographical references (pages [371]-381) and index

resource.biographical

contains biographical information

Illustrations

illustrations

Index

index present

Literary Form

non fiction

Main title

Apostle, or, Bones that shine like fire

Nature of contents

dictionariesbibliography

Oclc number

942746535

Responsibility statement

Tom Bissell

Sub title

travels among the tombs of the Twelve

Summary

"A profound and moving journey into the heart of Christianity that explores the mysterious and often paradoxical lives and legacies of the Twelve Apostles--a book both for those of the faith and for others who seek to understand Christianity from the outside in. Peter, Matthew, Thomas, John: Who were these men? What was their relationship to Jesus? Tom Bissell provides rich and surprising answers to these ancient, elusive questions. He examines not just who these men were (and weren't), but also how their identities have taken shape over the course of two millennia. Ultimately, Bissell finds that the story of the Apostles is the story of early Christianity: its competing versions of Jesus's ministry, its countless schisms, and its ultimate evolution from an obscure Jewish sect to the global faith we know today in all its forms and permutations. In his quest to understand the underpinnings of the world's largest religion, Bissell embarks on a years-long pilgrimage to the supposed tombs of the Twelve Apostles. He travels from Jerusalem and Rome to Turkey, Greece, Spain, France, India, and Kyrgyzstan, vividly capturing the rich diversity of Christianity's worldwide reach. Along the way, he engages with a host of characters--priests, paupers, a Vatican archaeologist, a Palestinian taxi driver, a Russian monk--posing sharp questions that range from the religious to the philosophical to the political. Written with warmth, empathy, and rare acumen, Apostle is a brilliant synthesis of travel writing, biblical history, and a deep, lifelong relationship with Christianity. The result is an unusual, erudite, and at times hilarious book--a religious, intellectual, and personal adventure fit for believers, scholars, and wanderers alike."--Jacket

Table Of Contents

Judas Iscariot -- Bartholomew -- Historesai : on Paul -- Philip & James, son of Alpheaus -- Peter -- Andrew -- John -- Thomas -- Christos : on Jesus Christ -- Simon the Cananaean & Thaddaeus -- Matthew -- James, son of Zebedee

resource.variantTitle

ApostleBones that shine like fire

Classification