Proclaimer Blog
A week in the life of Corinth
I've just finished reading Ben Witherington (the Third)'s little book A week in the life of Corinth. This is a semi fictional account of life in Corinth seen through the eyes of Nicanor (a released slave) who has a Christian master. It's tied closely to the Acts account – so features Paul, Priscilla and Aquila and Gallio and Sosthenes. The idea is to get a feel for what Corinthian or ancient life was like. Interspersed with the fictional accounts are detailed sidebars about various issues that come up – slavery, worship, life in the suburbs and so on.
First, its strengths. It's easy to read, compelling even – you want to find out what happens to Nicanor at the end. The prose is not high and mighty. The sidebars you can dip in and out of as you want. There are pictures and illustrations to help along the way. And it's informative. I don't think it will tell the average pastor much he doesn't already know – but it's the kind of thing you might want small group leaders reading, or even church members. It will give them a nice feel for 1st century Roman empire life.
But it's not without weaknesses. At times it feels a little contrived. The last chapter describing an early church meeting seems especially so. I'm no historian but the idea that an unconverted Gentile (Nicanor) might have been encouraged to take part in the Lord's Supper seems quite unlikely, for example. I'm not sure the tongues and prophecies reported at the meeting really ring true either.
Nevertheless, there is much here that is helpful. It's woven into the themes that arise from 1 Corinthians in particular – Paul often "speaks" whole sections and whilst this wouldn't have been the case it moves the narrative along. So, not bad at all as a way of "going to Corinth." At nine of your English pounds (on amazon) it's not cheap. Buy one, read and pass around.