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Great Lives From God's Word
By Charles R. Swindoll Paul: A Man of Grace and Grit (Great Lives Series)
It is the author's wish to paint Paul's character in this mere sketch of his life, clinging closely to his side through the dramatic events that unfold in the pages of Scripture. The author will allow the Word of God to guide the reader in the quest to grasp the enormity and significance of this man and his story. The author's dictionary defines grit as "firmness of mind or spirit...unyielding courage in the face of hardship or danger." Tough, tenacious, and fiercely relentless in his determination, Paul pursued his divine mission with unflinching resolve. The man modeled grit like no other mentioned in the scriptures. But his message and his style were also marked by grace. He understood and explained grace better than any of his contemporaries. Grace dominated Paul's message and ministry to the final moment of his life.
Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
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About the author
Charles R. Swindoll
964 books833 followersCharles Swindoll has devoted over four decades to two passions: an unwavering commitment to the practical communication and application of God's Word, and an untiring devotion to seeing lives transformed by God's grace. Chuck graduated magna cum laude from Dallas Theological Seminary and has since been honored with four doctorates. For his teaching on Insight for Living, he has received the Program of the Year award and the Hall of Fame award from the National Religious Broadcasters as well as multiple book awards.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews
April 11, 2008
I love the Great Lives series. They are awesome and I use them as devotional and study materials. This was by far the best. I learned so much by digging into this book, this man Paul who is just a great hero of the bible. I loved how once Jesus called to him, he transformed his life, and Paul never looked back, never waivered. He was literally on fire for God the rest of his life and endured so much to further the cause of Christ. I was so surprised with how this book touched me and it was the perfect book for the time/place I was in my life. God used it in a mighty way for me personally. I knew how the 'story' ended but was absolutely overwhelmed with emotions and literally wept big sobbing tears when I finished it. An amazing book about an amazing man. I will never forget it.
July 13, 2019
Chuck Swindoll's book on Paul (the sixth volume in Swindoll's Great Lives from God's Word series) traces the life of the apostle, as told in the New Testament book of Acts, with supplementary details from the letters Paul wrote that now form a large part of the New Testament. The book is sort of a biography, but it is really more a series of pastoral, devotional meditations on lessons we can learn from the example of Paul's life. Swindoll includes historical details where appropriate, but this is not a scholarly study of Paul's context; nor does Swindoll delve too deeply into the theological and doctrinal complexities in Paul's writings. Those other kinds of books are available elsewhere from other authors (I'm particularly looking forward to reading N. T. Wright's recent book about Paul); this book is free to be what Swindoll is best at.
As I read, I was particularly encouraged by chapters in the first half of the book, where Swindoll points out the number of times Paul had to wait, without knowing exactly what God was doing in his life. Because I've felt for some time that I myself am in some kind of confusing waiting room, these reflections meant a lot to me. Here's a list of principles Swindoll finds in the example of Paul's times of waiting:
This is a good book, and very encouraging and thought-provoking, but I can also mention a couple of problems with it. One is the repetitiveness. I don't mean just repetition from other books by Swindoll, but repetition of something from the previous chapter. I think the translation from preached sermons to book (which this book is) was not quite as smooth as it perhaps could have been.
The other thing to bear in mind before picking up this book is the number of typos you'll find—some little error on nearly every page. As an editor, I'm both demanding and forgiving; I expect the best of published books, but I also know that 100% accuracy is impossible for anyone. This book is far beyond the acceptable level of errors.
If you can overlook these flaws, the heart of Swindoll's communication is very worthwhile. I recommend it for slow reading, maybe just a chapter a week, to mirror how his original audience heard it in sermon form.
As I read, I was particularly encouraged by chapters in the first half of the book, where Swindoll points out the number of times Paul had to wait, without knowing exactly what God was doing in his life. Because I've felt for some time that I myself am in some kind of confusing waiting room, these reflections meant a lot to me. Here's a list of principles Swindoll finds in the example of Paul's times of waiting:
First, when God prepares us for effective ministry, He includes what we would rather omit—a period of waiting. That cultivates patience. . . .I have to keep trusting that, even when I'm in a time of life when I'm not sure what I'm supposed to be doing in the world. Swindoll quotes F. B. Meyer, who saidSecond, as God makes us wait, hiding us in His shadow, He shows us we're not indispensable. That makes us humble. . . .
Third, while God hides us away, He reveals new dimensions of Himself and new insights regarding ministry. That makes us deep. . . . What we need today is not smarter people or busier people. A far greater need is deeper people. Deep people will always have a ministry. Always. God deepens us through time spent waiting on Him.
Fourth, when God finally chooses to use us, it comes at a time least expected, when we feel the least qualified. That makes us effective. (89)
Be not afraid to trust God utterly. As you go down the long corridor you may find that He has preceded you and locked many doors which you would fain have entered; but be sure that beyond these there is one which He has left unlocked. Open it and enter, and you will find yourself face to face with a bend of the river of opportunity, broader and deeper than anything you dared to imagine in your sunniest dreams. Launch forth on it; it conducts to the open sea. (90)Swindoll also quote James Stalker, saying that "Waiting is a common instrument of providential discipline for those to whom exceptional work has been appointed" (78). For me right now, "exceptional work" seems too much to hope for; we'll see what comes past the bend in the river that I keep waiting for.
This is a good book, and very encouraging and thought-provoking, but I can also mention a couple of problems with it. One is the repetitiveness. I don't mean just repetition from other books by Swindoll, but repetition of something from the previous chapter. I think the translation from preached sermons to book (which this book is) was not quite as smooth as it perhaps could have been.
The other thing to bear in mind before picking up this book is the number of typos you'll find—some little error on nearly every page. As an editor, I'm both demanding and forgiving; I expect the best of published books, but I also know that 100% accuracy is impossible for anyone. This book is far beyond the acceptable level of errors.
If you can overlook these flaws, the heart of Swindoll's communication is very worthwhile. I recommend it for slow reading, maybe just a chapter a week, to mirror how his original audience heard it in sermon form.
October 13, 2017
I love these biographical looks into the lives of men and women of the Bible by Charles Swindoll. He weaves what we know from the Bible and of history together seamlessly, creating a vivid picture of the day and culture surrounding the stories I've heard so often. Like the other books in this series that I've read before, this one gave me a fresh perspective on the apostle Paul through the chronological organization and historical details added to the words found in Scripture.
June 9, 2016
This was the sixth character study by Chuck Swindoll in his Great Lives Series. Biblical biographies are different from other biographies in that the Bible-reading Christian has already been familiarized with the primary source. A good Bible-based biography, then, will not necessarily provide tons of new information, but help you reflect on what's already there. This book hit the mark pretty well. Swindoll examined seasons of Paul's life and reflected on how we can imitate the apostle. Very helpful.
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August 3, 2011Tried three times to get interested in this book. The book seemed more interested in being subjective on the different aspects of Paul rather than being objective. It seemed as if Swindoll had a book he wanted to write and used Paul's life to support his claims...rather than actually writing a book about Paul. I made it a little over halfway through the book before I returned it.
June 9, 2023
The last chapter will make you cry
August 24, 2017
Finished this early today after what may very well be a year of picking it up and putting it down. While the book didn't pan out as I would have liked it too - either lessons on Paul's teaching or a more in-depth look at his life - it offers some lessons learned from what Paul must have been like based upon his teachings. It was interesting because Swindoll and I saw the man differently. In Paul's letters I see not so much grace as passion, a man with a mission who could be short tempered with those who were less driven. I see some arrogance, a demand to be equal with the apostles who were Jesus' companions while this man was among those who were hunting them to the death. I see repentance - a sorrow so deep and a turning so true that he made it his life's work to undo some of what he had done. The book contains some great insights, which I might add later but I'm not sure yet how much I really learned from it. Still, I would recommend it for those who enjoy Swindoll's style.
January 7, 2011
When I picked up this book, I expected it to be a historical biography of Paul, one that would offer more background and insight into his life and travels than the Bible alone. While Paul: A Man of Grace and Grit did that to an extent, I would say it's more a Bible study for those in full-time ministry (I'm not) who are facing challenges, supplemented with a bit of biographical information. The book focuses on Paul's faith in God's grace and promises throughout his life, even when faced with incredible persecution or adversity. It is a good book; I just wasn't the primary intended audience for it (at least not at this time in my life).
August 13, 2013
Swindoll is an excellent communicator. In this character study on the life of Paul, Swindoll dives into the history of Paul's life and journeys, but also gives personal and ministerial applications from his life. While the book does seem a little more geared towards those in ministry, there are still many things that most people can relate to and take away from the book.
August 26, 2019
Books don't usually manage to both insult and alienate me within the confines of a single chapter, but this one did. There were also many grammatical errors, and I, feeling insulted and alienate, was not in a forgiving mood.
September 25, 2013
I liked this one a lot, the name says it all! :) I thought his one on David is his best work so far.
September 19, 2020
I have always loved to read biographies but this one really stands out. I thought this book help me understand, to a certain the depth, the real challenges that the champions of the Christian faith really faced. We tend a lot of the times to equate our challenges to theirs even thought they existed in a different reality that presented a unique complexity to how they served and fellowshipped with others to further the Good News of the gospel. This books definitely strips the Biblical stories of their greek jargon and foreign settings that prevent us from really understand the stories with the utmost intensity and meaning they should have. The author uses his impeccable knowledge to draw parallels between our present world and their ancient world.
August 5, 2025
Knjiga Paul Charlesa Swindolla bila je moj tihi mentor i saputnik tokom protekla dva mjeseca. Svakodnevno čitanje ovog djela nije bilo samo informativno, već transformativno. Kroz duboko razumijevanje biblijskog teksta, Swindoll me je poveo na putovanje kroz izuzetno buran, slojevit i inspirativan život apostola Pavla.
Pavle nije prikazan kao nedodirljiv svetac, već kao stvaran čovjek — sa borbama, pogrešnim koracima, nevjerovatnom odvažnošću i nesalomivom vjerom. Upravo ta ljudskost me je najviše dotakla. Svako poglavlje otvara nova vrata razumijevanja Božje blagodati, poziva, patnje i svrhe, a Swindoll vješto povezuje Pavlove lekcije s izazovima savremenog života.
Inspirisan ovom knjigom, kreirao sam serijal od sedam podcast epizoda, gdje sam kroz lične uvide i razmišljanja podijelio ono što me posebno dotaklo u svakom poglavlju.
Ako tražite knjigu koja ne samo da će vas informisati o Pavlovom životu, već će vas i izazvati da preispitate sopstveni hod sa Bogom – Paul je dobar izbor. Ovo nije samo biografija; ovo je poziv na dublji život.
Pavle nije prikazan kao nedodirljiv svetac, već kao stvaran čovjek — sa borbama, pogrešnim koracima, nevjerovatnom odvažnošću i nesalomivom vjerom. Upravo ta ljudskost me je najviše dotakla. Svako poglavlje otvara nova vrata razumijevanja Božje blagodati, poziva, patnje i svrhe, a Swindoll vješto povezuje Pavlove lekcije s izazovima savremenog života.
Inspirisan ovom knjigom, kreirao sam serijal od sedam podcast epizoda, gdje sam kroz lične uvide i razmišljanja podijelio ono što me posebno dotaklo u svakom poglavlju.
Ako tražite knjigu koja ne samo da će vas informisati o Pavlovom životu, već će vas i izazvati da preispitate sopstveni hod sa Bogom – Paul je dobar izbor. Ovo nije samo biografija; ovo je poziv na dublji život.
September 9, 2024
I haven't read something from Charles Swindoll in a long time, but this book made me want to revisit his work. Charles Swindoll shares so many valuable life lessons from Paul's story. Easy to read, clear applications and every chapter gives something to walk away and ponder. I will be reading another in this series soon.
March 31, 2022
The author had so many positive things to say about Paul it almost made it seem like he wasn't human.
December 6, 2023
The last chapter will definitely make you cry.
One of my favorite books!!
One of my favorite books!!
March 18, 2024
finished this book while in Turkey!!! An amazing book on Paul that I will be reading again!
September 19, 2025
I read about 80 pages before I just couldn't take any more.
This is hard . . . I don't necessarily disagree with Swindoll, none of my problem is that he is wrong or unbiblical, not by any means. I think he is wise, I think he is truly taking the word of God and making it much more accessible to the people. There is nothing wrong with that, but this thing is like the lowest common denominator.
Most of his points start with, "imagine you are . . ." and then basically placed in the most extreme situation that kind of parallels what the Bible is saying. Ananias going to see Paul, would be like one of us going to meet Hitler. Imagine being attacked in church. Imagine having to flee in a basket. Imagine, imagine, imagine. If all we ever do is put ourselves in the situation. If the only way we can understand the Bible, or engage the Bible is by pretending we are there, then we are the authority, not the Bible. If the Bible doesn't make sense to me, or if I see the situation differently, or if I've been in a similar situation, etc. All of that is me-first theology. My engagement, my experiences are the authority. We aren't really expositing the text, we are expositing how we feel about any given hypothetical situation.
Everything about the book becomes speculation. He claims Paul's mother died when he was nine, but I can't find any reference to that anywhere. He claims Paul probably saw Jesus teach during His earthly ministry, but I don't see that anywhere. He claims Paul was probably there for Gamaliel's speech regarding the Apostles, but I don't see that anywhere. These might be inferences we could make, and if this were a book of fiction, or any other biography you might be able to make those claims, but you are trying to get people to engage with Scripture, with the inspired Word of God. Where the Scriptures remain silent, it is best for us not to speculate.
When Swindoll does finally make his point, they are the most bland type of Sunday preaching. Again, it is not that any of these things are wrong, or that they aren't worth hearing or being taught, it's that they are nothing new, nothing significant, nothing that even I (who has only preached for a couple of years) haven't taught. Swindoll has a 60+ year ministry, he has lifetimes worth of experience, and every one of his deep points is borderline trite Christianese that sounds good in the moment but is largely lacking in anything substantial. It is snack food instead of the rich engaging meal I expect from someone of his background.
Chapter 1:
Everyone has a dark side, no one is beyond hope, anyone can find a new beginning in Christ, focus on the future, not the past.
Again, by no means is this wrong or bad, but it is severely lacking in substance. It is more about how I feel about myself, more about forgiving myself, more about me, me, me, and lacks the amazing grace of Jesus Christ. It lacks the overarching point that salvation, grace, and mercy are not about me, but about my loving savior who looks down at me in my "dark side" and pulls me out. It is His work, His deeds, His action, I offer nothing, and my "dark side" deserves the deepest pit of Hell. Stop sugar coating the bad news, and instead hit the life giving power of the gospel.
I will also admit I'm giving Swindoll a lot of grace here, more than I've given other writers. We do not have a "dark side" but are inherently sinful from birth. Our hearts are the worst of liars, and I would describe us more like the pre-flood world. Every thought is on wickedness all the time. We are totally depraved. The idea of a "dark side" implies the existence of a "light side," where people can be good. That is simply not the case. There is nothing inside of a human that is good. Show me in the Bible where it says man is good, has good, can be good, does good, or knows good apart from God.
He is using the "dark side" to mean the moments in our past that we regret, so I do give him credit and cut him slack, he is not teaching that man can be good, but that we should focus on Christ and not each other's sins, it is just made so soft and agreeable as to be poorly explained.
Chapter 2:
This chapter is largely speculative based. He considers the idea of kicking against the goads and takes it to mean that God has been working to soften Paul's heart for a long time. God has been working in Paul and Paul has been rebelling against Him . . . I mean, maybe, but even just the goads of Stephen's preaching, or the Apostles' healing, or the teaching of the Old Testament would have all been enough. We don't need huge amounts of speculation to how God was trying to get to Paul. Largely, it would make it seem like God was unable to soften Paul's heart in an instant, on the Road to Damascus, like the scriptures kind of say happened. Never in any of his epistles does Paul claim that God was trying to soften his heart before his conversion.
Chapter 3:
This chapter is about Ananias, and how he was a man working behind the scenes. Swindoll had some really strong points in this chapter, mainly how most Christians will never know the fruits of their labors until they are in heaven. The pastor laboring away in a small, dying, rural church is just as important as the pastor of the mega-church. That hits close to home . . . but is only like a paragraph in the chapter, and Swindoll struggles to really go that far. Mostly the chapter becomes about listening to God and taking the first step in faith. I honest-to-goodness HATE that advice. It is meaningless and has always left me with a feeling of doubt and inadequacy.
Swindoll just knew it was time to leave California and head to Texas. So God took him from one of the darkest places in the country, to one where most people will agree with him, to a state without income tax, and that isn't an absolute hole. He was also made president of Dallas Theological, so I wonder if Charles knew the calling was there before he even got off the phone with DTS. Seems like an easy decision for him and his wife to make. Seems to me like God just gave Swindoll everything he wanted. Must be nice when God just gives you everything you want without challenge. In my experience and understanding, God rarely just tells us to do what we want, but sends us somewhere to challenge us, it is joy through struggle. Not zero income tax, 90% Christian population, and a huge paycheck from one of the most prestigious seminaries in the world.
That kind of advice makes it sound like we should be hearing personal messages from God, and if we are not obeying those messages then we are in trouble. I, for one, have never heard a voice telling me what to do. I have never even heard a voice to have the opportunity to ignore it. And it is remarkable when I say that, how many times I am told to just pray more, pray harder, or how some other person hears voices all the time, and then we are discussing the amazing things God has "told" them to do. We have to give people a place to start, we have to show them what it means to step out in faith. We have to give them something little more concrete than "take the first step." FIRST STEP WHERE? I'm already lost.
How I deliver the trust and obey message: start with the basic Christian disciplines: prayer, Bible, Church. Keep doing those three no matter what. Then understand that God is sovereign, He will put you where He wants you. Trust God by doing your best work, trying your hardest at everything you do, let your actions shine for Christ, and when the time comes open your mouth to speak Christ. That is solid and concrete. It's not "step out in faith and see where God takes you." I can't stand that faith and I struggled for years trying to find what it meant and where I should be going to "step out in faith."
Chapter 4:
Chapter 4 is about the need for solitude and quiet time to draw closer to God. This is a double edged sword and needs a lot more explanation and insight than what is given here. Me, walking into the woods to have quiet time, is not the same as Paul in the wilderness, all of which is speculation because we don't know what he did in the wilderness. He was discipled and learned about the Lord, that's what we know and we can debate what that looked like, but if he was being beaten and persecuted as the scriptures seem to imply, then it doesn't seem like much quiet time was had. This is a better lesson from our Lord Jesus Christ, who went off to pray by Himself. As far as David, Moses, Elijah, John the Baptist . . . we are largely speculating again. David had men with him, he had followers, and he traveled throughout the country, Elijah took a nap by the river, but hard to say he was there for the entire three years it didn't rain, Moses's whole family were shepherds, and Jethro had to be a leader of some kind, so there were people there too. John the Baptist is said to be in the wilderness preaching . . . and multitudes went to find him.
Again, this is a message that sounds good as a topical sermon, but is a little trickier when the Bible is read.
It also largely ignores the realities of most people's lives. My quiet time is the ten minute walk I get on the way home, and I'm happy to have it. Most people can't take the six-weeks off that Charles Swindoll was able to take (good for him, don't misunderstand me) but Charles Swindoll is already at the top of his field, he can command a hefty speaking fee, and is able to write generic vanilla books that become best sellers because they have his name on them.
It's easy to tell people to stop trying to run the rat race, and to slow down in life. A lot of people are still just trying to survive. Not a bad or wrong message, but seemed to be given in a very tone-deaf topical sermon Sunday morning kind of way. Is a six-week sabbatical really what the Bible teaches? Were Corrie Ten Boom and Richard Wurmbrandt bad Christians because they couldn't take time off from their prison cells? Should Christians really consider spending time in a monastery, or should we be expected to seek God in the storms of life?
Peace is when the world around us is raging out of control, but we are held by the anchor of Christ. When we remove ourselves from the storm, we are no longer looking for God in the storm, we no longer have need for the anchor.
Chapter 5:
This chapter is about how we are dependent on one another and need each other to survive. This chapter was the breaking point for me. For starters, he spends an inordinate amount of time telling his readers that they are not has bad as Timothy McVeigh (Oklahoma City Bombing). Understand, that just because we haven't blown up a building, doesn't mean the evil in our hearts is any less. We are far closer to McVeigh in nature than we are Jesus Christ.
He then goes on to explain how we all need each other. He doesn't use the body metaphor . . . but nor does he say anything of value. It is all just so generic, it is vanilla ice cream, it is milquetoast, it is there to make us feel good, there to make us agree without looking any deeper. Of course we will all agree, but there is nothing underneath to support what he says. There are people who can live fine by themselves. There are people who do not need others in the same way as he describes.
Again, we are lacking the foundation of Jesus Christ and real obedience. We love others because our Lord and Master tells us to. And even though we need others, or perhaps because we need others we must give them the truths they need to hear, not sugarcoat what they may not want. A lot of this becomes permissive niceness. An effort to be nice, sound nice. It lacks the hard hitting truth, doing for someone what is right and best. The fruit of the spirit is kindness, doing the right thing for someone even when they won't appreciate it.
This entire book is so generic. I wasn't interested. My wife said it sounds like countless other Devotional books for women. Filled with feelings based thinking, and generic ideas that housewives can agree to without being challenged in their faith and how they act.
These are topical sermons that sound good in the moment, but leave no lasting change or difference.
I've found more in Warren Wiersbe and John MacArthur. I wouldn't waste my time here.
This is hard . . . I don't necessarily disagree with Swindoll, none of my problem is that he is wrong or unbiblical, not by any means. I think he is wise, I think he is truly taking the word of God and making it much more accessible to the people. There is nothing wrong with that, but this thing is like the lowest common denominator.
Most of his points start with, "imagine you are . . ." and then basically placed in the most extreme situation that kind of parallels what the Bible is saying. Ananias going to see Paul, would be like one of us going to meet Hitler. Imagine being attacked in church. Imagine having to flee in a basket. Imagine, imagine, imagine. If all we ever do is put ourselves in the situation. If the only way we can understand the Bible, or engage the Bible is by pretending we are there, then we are the authority, not the Bible. If the Bible doesn't make sense to me, or if I see the situation differently, or if I've been in a similar situation, etc. All of that is me-first theology. My engagement, my experiences are the authority. We aren't really expositing the text, we are expositing how we feel about any given hypothetical situation.
Everything about the book becomes speculation. He claims Paul's mother died when he was nine, but I can't find any reference to that anywhere. He claims Paul probably saw Jesus teach during His earthly ministry, but I don't see that anywhere. He claims Paul was probably there for Gamaliel's speech regarding the Apostles, but I don't see that anywhere. These might be inferences we could make, and if this were a book of fiction, or any other biography you might be able to make those claims, but you are trying to get people to engage with Scripture, with the inspired Word of God. Where the Scriptures remain silent, it is best for us not to speculate.
When Swindoll does finally make his point, they are the most bland type of Sunday preaching. Again, it is not that any of these things are wrong, or that they aren't worth hearing or being taught, it's that they are nothing new, nothing significant, nothing that even I (who has only preached for a couple of years) haven't taught. Swindoll has a 60+ year ministry, he has lifetimes worth of experience, and every one of his deep points is borderline trite Christianese that sounds good in the moment but is largely lacking in anything substantial. It is snack food instead of the rich engaging meal I expect from someone of his background.
Chapter 1:
Everyone has a dark side, no one is beyond hope, anyone can find a new beginning in Christ, focus on the future, not the past.
Again, by no means is this wrong or bad, but it is severely lacking in substance. It is more about how I feel about myself, more about forgiving myself, more about me, me, me, and lacks the amazing grace of Jesus Christ. It lacks the overarching point that salvation, grace, and mercy are not about me, but about my loving savior who looks down at me in my "dark side" and pulls me out. It is His work, His deeds, His action, I offer nothing, and my "dark side" deserves the deepest pit of Hell. Stop sugar coating the bad news, and instead hit the life giving power of the gospel.
I will also admit I'm giving Swindoll a lot of grace here, more than I've given other writers. We do not have a "dark side" but are inherently sinful from birth. Our hearts are the worst of liars, and I would describe us more like the pre-flood world. Every thought is on wickedness all the time. We are totally depraved. The idea of a "dark side" implies the existence of a "light side," where people can be good. That is simply not the case. There is nothing inside of a human that is good. Show me in the Bible where it says man is good, has good, can be good, does good, or knows good apart from God.
He is using the "dark side" to mean the moments in our past that we regret, so I do give him credit and cut him slack, he is not teaching that man can be good, but that we should focus on Christ and not each other's sins, it is just made so soft and agreeable as to be poorly explained.
Chapter 2:
This chapter is largely speculative based. He considers the idea of kicking against the goads and takes it to mean that God has been working to soften Paul's heart for a long time. God has been working in Paul and Paul has been rebelling against Him . . . I mean, maybe, but even just the goads of Stephen's preaching, or the Apostles' healing, or the teaching of the Old Testament would have all been enough. We don't need huge amounts of speculation to how God was trying to get to Paul. Largely, it would make it seem like God was unable to soften Paul's heart in an instant, on the Road to Damascus, like the scriptures kind of say happened. Never in any of his epistles does Paul claim that God was trying to soften his heart before his conversion.
Chapter 3:
This chapter is about Ananias, and how he was a man working behind the scenes. Swindoll had some really strong points in this chapter, mainly how most Christians will never know the fruits of their labors until they are in heaven. The pastor laboring away in a small, dying, rural church is just as important as the pastor of the mega-church. That hits close to home . . . but is only like a paragraph in the chapter, and Swindoll struggles to really go that far. Mostly the chapter becomes about listening to God and taking the first step in faith. I honest-to-goodness HATE that advice. It is meaningless and has always left me with a feeling of doubt and inadequacy.
Swindoll just knew it was time to leave California and head to Texas. So God took him from one of the darkest places in the country, to one where most people will agree with him, to a state without income tax, and that isn't an absolute hole. He was also made president of Dallas Theological, so I wonder if Charles knew the calling was there before he even got off the phone with DTS. Seems like an easy decision for him and his wife to make. Seems to me like God just gave Swindoll everything he wanted. Must be nice when God just gives you everything you want without challenge. In my experience and understanding, God rarely just tells us to do what we want, but sends us somewhere to challenge us, it is joy through struggle. Not zero income tax, 90% Christian population, and a huge paycheck from one of the most prestigious seminaries in the world.
That kind of advice makes it sound like we should be hearing personal messages from God, and if we are not obeying those messages then we are in trouble. I, for one, have never heard a voice telling me what to do. I have never even heard a voice to have the opportunity to ignore it. And it is remarkable when I say that, how many times I am told to just pray more, pray harder, or how some other person hears voices all the time, and then we are discussing the amazing things God has "told" them to do. We have to give people a place to start, we have to show them what it means to step out in faith. We have to give them something little more concrete than "take the first step." FIRST STEP WHERE? I'm already lost.
How I deliver the trust and obey message: start with the basic Christian disciplines: prayer, Bible, Church. Keep doing those three no matter what. Then understand that God is sovereign, He will put you where He wants you. Trust God by doing your best work, trying your hardest at everything you do, let your actions shine for Christ, and when the time comes open your mouth to speak Christ. That is solid and concrete. It's not "step out in faith and see where God takes you." I can't stand that faith and I struggled for years trying to find what it meant and where I should be going to "step out in faith."
Chapter 4:
Chapter 4 is about the need for solitude and quiet time to draw closer to God. This is a double edged sword and needs a lot more explanation and insight than what is given here. Me, walking into the woods to have quiet time, is not the same as Paul in the wilderness, all of which is speculation because we don't know what he did in the wilderness. He was discipled and learned about the Lord, that's what we know and we can debate what that looked like, but if he was being beaten and persecuted as the scriptures seem to imply, then it doesn't seem like much quiet time was had. This is a better lesson from our Lord Jesus Christ, who went off to pray by Himself. As far as David, Moses, Elijah, John the Baptist . . . we are largely speculating again. David had men with him, he had followers, and he traveled throughout the country, Elijah took a nap by the river, but hard to say he was there for the entire three years it didn't rain, Moses's whole family were shepherds, and Jethro had to be a leader of some kind, so there were people there too. John the Baptist is said to be in the wilderness preaching . . . and multitudes went to find him.
Again, this is a message that sounds good as a topical sermon, but is a little trickier when the Bible is read.
It also largely ignores the realities of most people's lives. My quiet time is the ten minute walk I get on the way home, and I'm happy to have it. Most people can't take the six-weeks off that Charles Swindoll was able to take (good for him, don't misunderstand me) but Charles Swindoll is already at the top of his field, he can command a hefty speaking fee, and is able to write generic vanilla books that become best sellers because they have his name on them.
It's easy to tell people to stop trying to run the rat race, and to slow down in life. A lot of people are still just trying to survive. Not a bad or wrong message, but seemed to be given in a very tone-deaf topical sermon Sunday morning kind of way. Is a six-week sabbatical really what the Bible teaches? Were Corrie Ten Boom and Richard Wurmbrandt bad Christians because they couldn't take time off from their prison cells? Should Christians really consider spending time in a monastery, or should we be expected to seek God in the storms of life?
Peace is when the world around us is raging out of control, but we are held by the anchor of Christ. When we remove ourselves from the storm, we are no longer looking for God in the storm, we no longer have need for the anchor.
Chapter 5:
This chapter is about how we are dependent on one another and need each other to survive. This chapter was the breaking point for me. For starters, he spends an inordinate amount of time telling his readers that they are not has bad as Timothy McVeigh (Oklahoma City Bombing). Understand, that just because we haven't blown up a building, doesn't mean the evil in our hearts is any less. We are far closer to McVeigh in nature than we are Jesus Christ.
He then goes on to explain how we all need each other. He doesn't use the body metaphor . . . but nor does he say anything of value. It is all just so generic, it is vanilla ice cream, it is milquetoast, it is there to make us feel good, there to make us agree without looking any deeper. Of course we will all agree, but there is nothing underneath to support what he says. There are people who can live fine by themselves. There are people who do not need others in the same way as he describes.
Again, we are lacking the foundation of Jesus Christ and real obedience. We love others because our Lord and Master tells us to. And even though we need others, or perhaps because we need others we must give them the truths they need to hear, not sugarcoat what they may not want. A lot of this becomes permissive niceness. An effort to be nice, sound nice. It lacks the hard hitting truth, doing for someone what is right and best. The fruit of the spirit is kindness, doing the right thing for someone even when they won't appreciate it.
This entire book is so generic. I wasn't interested. My wife said it sounds like countless other Devotional books for women. Filled with feelings based thinking, and generic ideas that housewives can agree to without being challenged in their faith and how they act.
These are topical sermons that sound good in the moment, but leave no lasting change or difference.
I've found more in Warren Wiersbe and John MacArthur. I wouldn't waste my time here.
March 30, 2023
Highly recommend this book. Was a very good read!
August 7, 2019
Charles Swindoll goes overboard with his character study on the great apostle Paul. The messages were right on point for exactly what I have been going through. I was inspired, encouraged, and motivated. I feel challenged to follow through despite the negative influences out there trying to discourage me. Thanks for your awesome book.
November 15, 2015
Since I've come to know Charles Swindoll through my all-time favourite book, Grace Awakening, I never hesitated to pick up a book from this writer. When I saw he wrote a kind of autobiography of Paul, the grace-teacher, I grabbed it.
I love the teachings of the Apostle Paul and I thought I knew most of them. How preposterous of me? As I studied this wonderful book of Charles Swindoll, so much more has opened up for me about the life, principles, convictions to be learned from the Apostle Paul's life. And fittingly, I'm in a difficult time in my own life- therefore touching me all the more.
I'm sure, no-one reading this book, will walk away untouched, despite whatever critique a reviewer would try to find. Thank you Mr Swindoll. You've inspired me again to grit it out with Jesus.
I love the teachings of the Apostle Paul and I thought I knew most of them. How preposterous of me? As I studied this wonderful book of Charles Swindoll, so much more has opened up for me about the life, principles, convictions to be learned from the Apostle Paul's life. And fittingly, I'm in a difficult time in my own life- therefore touching me all the more.
I'm sure, no-one reading this book, will walk away untouched, despite whatever critique a reviewer would try to find. Thank you Mr Swindoll. You've inspired me again to grit it out with Jesus.
February 19, 2017
I thoroughly enjoyed this personal look at the Apostle Paul's life. Though I had read his words so many times in my Christian life, I had never taken the time to deeply consider the personal side of Paul's story and ministry. This book made me feel almost as if I was walking in Paul's shoes (or sandals) as he traveled nearly 10,000 miles faithfully preaching the gospel message everywhere he went, to crowds that were harassing him, to jailers who held him, to scholars who ridiculed him, to soldiers literally chained to him, and to his close friends and fellow disciples who traveled with him. What an incredible man and incredible life. What an incredible picture of how God chose and prepared a man to carry out his purpose. A great picture of a man full of "grace and grit."
June 15, 2009
I have devoted 2009 the year I explore the life and times of Paul of Tarsus. A devoted Pharisee in the Jewish tradition, he literally hunts down, arrests, and someimes officiates over the execution of the followers of "The Way", the earliest group of followers of Jesus of Nazareth. Charles Swindoll has always been a favorite of mine. This book IS "preachy", not very "historical" but in tune with Swindoll's evangelical bent. It's easy reading, and truth be told, much to ponder as Swindoll explores this life.....how DOES a man like Paul become a devoted follower of the one whose group Paul is out to destroy?
A good beginning......
A good beginning......
November 23, 2009
I was moved when I read this book. Swindoll writes that life is ten percent what happens to us and ninety percent how we respond to it. Drawing from Paul's life Swindoll say that we must stay on the subject_Christ, speak the truth without fear, start where our audience is and surrender the results to God. We are reminded that Paul had an attitude of unselish humility and an attitude of joyful acceptance. This combined with an attitude of strong determination and of genuine thanksgiving made Paul a winner. Swindoll reminds us that in all Paul did the glory went to God. Even as articulate as Swindoll is I felt he had not covered all that could be said about this great apostle.
June 18, 2011
I used to listen to a lot of Chuck Swindoll podcasts, and around that time I picked up this book. I read some of it, and learned some interesting things about Paul, but I didn't find that the book went very deep. I felt like I was reading transcripts of Swindoll's messages on Paul. He typically preaches long series on his book topics, so I wouldn't be surprised if he preached these chapters word for word. To be fair, I didn't actually finish the book because I wasn't that into it, and I gave my copy to a friend that was interested in reading it. I stopped in the middle of chapter 7, and that was enough for me.
December 26, 2011
Paulus, seorang yang penuh kasih karunia dan tegar. Buku ini diceritakan dengan sangat baik oleh Charles Swindoll. Beliau menceritakan perjalanan Paulus hingga akhir hayatnya. Tak hanya di situ, Swindoll pun kerap menceritakan pengalaman pribadi dan orang-orang sekitarnya. Saya suka membaca buku karangan Swindoll, narasinya mudah dimengerti dan tetap mengacu kepada Kebenaran Firman Tuhan.
Paulus adalah sosok yang patut diteladani kasih, ketegaran, iman dan kesetiaannya bagi Kristus. Salah satu quote favorit saya lahir dari kisah pelayanannya, "I fought the good fight, I finished the race and I kept the faith..."
Paulus adalah sosok yang patut diteladani kasih, ketegaran, iman dan kesetiaannya bagi Kristus. Salah satu quote favorit saya lahir dari kisah pelayanannya, "I fought the good fight, I finished the race and I kept the faith..."
April 7, 2021
An interesting book about Paul...
...although this is not the book I was looking for (since reading this book, I have found THE book on Paul that someone had recommended: N.T. Wright's book, "Paul, A Biography"). The emphasis of N.T. Wright's book is to present a picture of the society and culture that shaped and influenced Paul, over 2000 years ago. Swindoll's book appears to be a book for seminary students, or anyone focused on being a Christian Minister. Most of the book gives examples of Paul's actions / reactions and then discusses what a good minister would do in similar situations. Nothing wrong with that approach, but not what I want to hear (or read).
...although this is not the book I was looking for (since reading this book, I have found THE book on Paul that someone had recommended: N.T. Wright's book, "Paul, A Biography"). The emphasis of N.T. Wright's book is to present a picture of the society and culture that shaped and influenced Paul, over 2000 years ago. Swindoll's book appears to be a book for seminary students, or anyone focused on being a Christian Minister. Most of the book gives examples of Paul's actions / reactions and then discusses what a good minister would do in similar situations. Nothing wrong with that approach, but not what I want to hear (or read).
December 4, 2009
I spent most of the year reading this book a chapter at a time for my bible study. It was a really engaging look at Paul's life and his contribution to Christianity. I really enjoyed it and found it be a good foundation for discussion in our group. There were any number of times while reading the book that the chapter we were focusing on completely related to something someone in our group was going through at that particular time. I think it would be a good read just on it's own, but if you're ever looking for a book to read as a smallgroup I would highly recommend this one.
January 24, 2014
I can see people being easily turned away from this book due to it's old fashioned book cover, aged yellow page, tiny font, relative thick size (relative because I realize all the new nooks are rarely larger than 200 pages). However, it painted a vivid journey of Paul's life as if I was his close companion. The book thoroughly convinced me of "imitate me as I imitated Christ". The last chapter almost brought me to tears as we approached the end of His life. I can't find better words to describe Paul as the title of the book states, grace and grits.
October 13, 2015
-Paul waited about three years in 'desert' (Damascus? I forget) before he began his ministry. Interesting.
-Paul certainly stuck to it after so many setbacks that I know would deter me and question God's directing. An example of sticking with God through hard times and when circumstances are less than ideal, to put it nicely. This is how he also learned contentment.
-In aw about Paul after reading this book. What an example. No wonder God allowed him to write so many books in the Bible.
-Paul certainly stuck to it after so many setbacks that I know would deter me and question God's directing. An example of sticking with God through hard times and when circumstances are less than ideal, to put it nicely. This is how he also learned contentment.
-In aw about Paul after reading this book. What an example. No wonder God allowed him to write so many books in the Bible.
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