The Silas Diary

First Century Diaries #1

by Gene Edwards

This imaginative narrative parallels the book of Acts, giving a first-person account of Paul's first journey. We see it through the eyes of Silas, a friend and traveling companion of the apostle. You'll find yourself shipwrecked in the cold Mediterranean Sea, fighting for life with Paul and John Mark as they grab for something to hold on to in the icy blast of an Etesian storm. You'll discover what it's like to ford a river in a hailstorm only to be swept ashore in drenched, cold clothing, far from shelter or friends. The Silas Diary is your invitation to join Silas, Paul, and their companions on a journey fraught with danger and adventure--a journey that changed the history of the world. Learn with the first-century Christians what freedom in Christ really means.

Genres: Christian, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Biblical Fiction, School

250 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Gene Edwards is one of America's most beloved Christian authors. He has published over 25 best-selling books, and his signature work, "The Divine Romance," has been called a masterpiece of Christian literature. He has written biblical fiction covering nearly the entire Bible, with titles that include the following: "The Beginning," "The Escape," "The Birth," "The Divine Romance," "The Triumph," "Revolution," "The Silas Diary," "The Titus Diary," "The Timothy Diary," "The Priscilla Diary," "The Gaius Diary," and "The Return."

Gene grew up in the East Texas oil fields and entered college at the age of 15. He graduated from East Texas State University at 18 with a bachelor's degree in English history and received his M.Div. from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Gene is part of the house-church movement, and he travels extensively to aid Christians as they begin meeting in homes rather than in church buildings. He also conducts conferences on living the deeper Christian life.

Gene and his wife, Helen, reside in Jacksonville, Florida, and have two grown children.

Reviews

[Donald Owens II · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the idea of writing a fictionalized account of the early Church, and this was a valiant effort. I'm glad enough to have read it. However, this book is anachronistic and the prose is lackluster. Despite his clunky insertion of his own reasearch into the narrative or dialogue, I found myself frequently doubting the reliability of the picture he paints.

His own biases are painfully overpowering. As a leader in the modern house church movement, he tries to present the early church as antinomian and largely without leaders, buildings, or liturgy of any sort, and to blame those elements on Judaisers and early heretics. He even describes the Gentile Christians as frequently interrupting eachother, which he presents as ideal, as though spontaneity and lack of order are marks of true Christianity rather than laziness, selfishness, and immaturity.

I would love to read a series like this by a careful historian, sound theologian, and skilled novelist, who didn't have such an ugly axe in need of such incessant grinding.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 1 of 5 of Paul's missionary journeys. John Mark has told Silas about the first journey: Paul, Barnabas and JM (before JM goes home).

I come away with an awe of Paul. Why would he go to so much trouble?! Of the people: why would they believe? so few of them, not popular, troubles…. Awed by the fact that this new "Way" didn't fade away when confronted with so many huge issues?! Amazed and humbled by my lack of faith. It puts meat on the bones for me: these are real people, real stories, real lives--so foreign to me, yet brothers. And I love that this journey to the Galations is followed with Galations at the end of the book. The people in there and the places come alive.

[Zee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book added a nice layer to the books of Acts (and several epistles of Paul) and made it come more alive than the standard Bible. While I realize that a lot of the conversations are created for the sake of the story, I think what was going on in the church at that time could be very similar.

[Linda Blandford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well researched and well written. Brings Paul's writings to life aiding even greater appreciation for the Bible through understanding the context

[JadeSky: Stepping Stones Book Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found The Silas Diary during school last year. I honestly wasn't sure what to expect from this at first. (The title leads me to believe that the book is more about Silas, and I naturally thought that it would be about one of Paul's later adventures.) However, I soon found myself swept away into Gene Edwards' carefully researched writing, so much so that I ended up being surprised when I had to stop reading! I also reserved the sequel, The Titus Diary, as soon as I could, and that book ended up being even better than this one, in my opinion.
Like I mentioned earlier, The Silas Diary actually gave me a new way to examine my own faith, and my view of church. I absolutely enjoyed reading Edwards' descriptions of a loving, helpful church family that just overflows with peace, joy, and a willingness to serve. For me, this book was also a way for me to see Paul and all of the other characters as people like me. Not perfect ideals and not names on a page, but ordinary men and women who just allowed God to use them. I was deeply inspired by their examples of faith, and especially by the message of salvation that was woven throughout the story.
If you or your family are looking for a descriptive, emotional read right now that tackles church history in a fresh and intriguing way, read The Silas Diary. Let both its theme and its characters envelop you with truth. Despite any flaws it may have, despite any hard things the characters face, I believe there's something in here for everyone who has a desire to know Jesus and to serve Him.

To read my full review of the Silas Diary, click here:
https://steppingstonesbookreviews.blo...

[Lawson Schrock]

Have you ever wondered why Paul wrote all those encouraging letters to those foreign churches? The book The Silas Diary, leads the reader through the story, or I should say the true events, of how and why the Biblical book of Galatians, written by Paul of Tarsus, was written in the first place. Paul, in the beginning, persecuted people of the christian faith, but God brought him into his light, and from then on Paul's life was for God and God alone. Paul traveled about, ministering to the people of Galatia about Christ and what He had done for everyone, and they became firm believers in Christ. When Paul left Galatia and went home to Antioch of Pisidia , some of the church leaders didn’t like the way Paul taught them, so they went there themselves and told their own story of what it takes to be a Christ follower.

What I really loved about this book is how it told all the reasons Paul did what he did. It also puts it in a fun adventure sort of way that it makes you want to read more of it. This book goes in depth on early church beliefs, mainly circumcision, and throughout the book we get to see disciples of Jesus, and how they lived their life with God.The book told each event as if that was the real story, but then it would go on to present the bigger facts and problems and eventually the solutions.

This book was great. It put the situations into the real world, and even better, everything that happened in it actually happened in the real world just two thousand years ago. I believe that mainly people who are Christains would like to read this book, but also people who are maybe looking for information on Paul of Tarsus. Also anyone who is looking for a great book to read has found one: The Silas Diary.

[M.K. Laffin · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book felt to me the same way it feels to watch the movie based off of your favorite book. From reading so much of the Bible and having the avid imagination my mind contains, before reading this book I already had my ideas about what I thought the characters were like. However, in reading this portrayal of the story of my dear friend Paul and his companions, almost no one was the way I expected them to be. Of course, this is mere personal opinion and I show no judgement t the writer as I am aware that it is quite a hard thing to even write Biblical fiction at all.
Near the end, the book grew on me a little and I truly did enjoy the writing style. The characters just really weren’t it for me. So my rating remains the same. Maybe someday I’ll give this book another try, but for now, goodbye Silas Diary.

[Carol Ghattas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm actually re-reading this book, because I enjoyed it more than a decade ago, while serving overseas. Edwards does a great job of taking you through the travels of Paul and the life of the early church, and while it's a fictional work, it's very historical in context and helps the Bible come alive in a new way.

Edwards helps me to gain a better perspective of how life was like in these areas where Paul traveled and preached. It also brings a more acute awareness of the sufferings he endured for the sake of the gospel. This first diary encourages me to read the rest, which I will.

[Joshua Milligan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A unique and fictionalized account of Paul's first missionary journey. The author focuses on reminding us Christians of the importance of grace and avoiding the trap of Pharisaical thinking. It's a great read, but not to be taken seriously in a historical sense in its extra-biblical content.

[Kelle Treadwell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fictional tale of Paul's journey through Galatia and the story of the four churches planted there. A lot of interesting insight.

[Karen La · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author has a way of making you feel as though you are there. Great story.

[Vada · Rating 2 out of 5]

Actual rating: 2.75 stars

This book just did not keep my attention. It was in a story format, but the way it was written wasn't intriguing enough for me. It was a struggle to even finish it.

[Marcia Nemecek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Using extensive research on life in that time period, the author "fleshed out" what readers are given in the New Testament giving a greater understanding of the people and what happened. The books are an "easy read" and fun. I found the "first century diary" series of books fascinating.

[Roza B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it!

I read this book because I started reading the bible. Even though the bible is interesting and fascinating, I sometimes need it brought to life. This book really took me to the time and place, and showed me how the stories came to be.

[Lydia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such amazing insight on the early missionary journey of Paul to Galatia and background regarding the letter to the Galatians! This book has singlehandedly changed my view of my Christian mission.

[Erin]

This diary makes the apostles sound and act like Pollyanna. A far better fictionalized account of Acts is Paul, by Walter Wangerin.

[Huggiworld]

Great historical-fiction.

[Darren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable, yet fictional narrative of one of the apostle Paul's ardent travelers - Silas. Closely aligns to the book of Acts.

[Joe Valenti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!

Full review here

joevalenti.me/?x-portfolio=the-silas-...

[Nanette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this author! And this book - gives a wonderful back-story to the dramatic life of the apostle Paul. Looking forward to reading the next and the next and the next!

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not well written, and I'm not sure of the historical accuracy. But it was a pleasant enough read. The characters felt detached and flat.

[Jim Wilkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read.

[Tracey Orr · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book second, even though it was first in the series. It stood strong both alone and in the context of the series.