The lost Letters

The Lost Letters of Pergamum by Bruce W. Longenecker begins with an interesting author’s preface that explains the book. In the preface, Longenecker explains that this book is about Antipas, who is mentioned once in the book of revelations of the bible, and that this work is fictional. He also illustrates that this story is a reconstruction of Antipas’ life in his final years. It is also explained how Antipas got his name from Herod Antipas. The preface goes on to explain that although this work is fiction, it is based upon extensive research of the author about the time period in which he is writing and has historical merit with regards to the Roman Empire and Jesus’ teachings. Longenecker notes in his introduction that the editor’s preface is also fictional. The editor’s preface is constructed in a very compelling manner that makes it seem almost real. It discusses discoveries of ancient cities of Ephesus and Pergamum and their temples and houses. The architects dug up Pergamum and there they discovered the letters of Antipas.

In the first chapter of the book, titled ‘As One Noblemen to Another’, Antipas corresponds with a highly respected nobleman of Ephesus, Calpurnius. In his first letter, Antipas establishes his successes to Calpurnius and explains he is new to the city of Pergamum (the? citadel of the gods) and he is staying with an esteemed friend, Euphemos. He gives an extensive explanation of the gladiator contests that are going to be held in the city of Pergamum. This letter, along with the descriptions of the gladiator matches, was an invitation to Calpurnius to attend these games and honor of Domitan the emperor of Rome at that time. In his reply, Calpurnius gives thanks to Antipas for the warm invitation. He goes ...

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...s to Luke. In this letter, he explains how after the emperor condemned Demetrius to death, Antipas stepped up, explaining to the emperor his nobility and that Demetrius was only following Antipas’s directions and offering his life in return for the safety of Demetrius.. The Emperor then condemned Antipas to his death. Antipas was put inside a cow’s carcass and burned alive. Antipas was a loyal Christian and proclaimed his faith to the Lord Jesus Christ before his death.

In conclusion, this book was intriguing. It gives historical context and shows what the Roman Empire was like. It also demonstrates Christianity in a new way. The transformation of Antipas is, however, the most intriguing part of the book: a noble man of Rome who became a Christian and gave his life to save another. This book offers an intriguing story to a man mentioned once in John’s Revelation.