Book Review: After Acts by Bryan Litfin

If you’ve ever wondered what happened to the biblical characters after Acts—from the well-known Matthew to the lesser-known Bartholomew—then this book is for you. Join Dr. Bryan Litfin as he guides you through Scripture and other ancient literature to sift fact from fiction, real-life from legend.

Skillfully researched and clearly written, After Acts is as accurate as it is engaging. Gain a window into the religious milieu of the ancient and medieval church. Unearth artifacts and burial sites. Learn what really happened to your favorite characters and what you should truly remember them for.

• Did Paul ever make it to Spain? Was he beheaded in Rome?
• Is it true that Peter was crucified upside down?
• Was the Virgin Mary really bodily assumed into heaven?

The book of Acts ends at chapter 28. But its characters lived on.

BRYAN LITFIN grew up in Dallas, TX; Oxford, England; and Memphis, TN. He earned a degree in print journalism from the University of Tennessee, a master’s degree in historical theology at Dallas Seminary, and a Ph.D. in the field of ancient church history at the University of Virginia. He now serves as Professor of Theology at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, IL. Bryan lives with his wife and two teenaged children in Wheaton, IL, and is a member of College Church in Wheaton.

My Review:

After Acts by Bryan Litfin is a fascinating book describing the history of the lives of Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Mary, Thomas, James, Andrew, James the son of Zebedee, Philip, Bartholomew, James the son of Alphaeus, Judas Thaddeus, Simon the Zealot, Peter and Paul. This book explains the truth or fantasy of many accounts of the early church and notes in the Notes section other writings that support the authors arguments. Bryan Liftin explains that he wrote the book not to glamorize the early church but to bring clarity of stories that are often distorted. He desires each reader to explore the history of the Christian faith by studying those who have come before us and teaching the next generation. I recommend this book to anyone interested in history or the roots of Christianity.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free in exchange for my honest review from the publisher through the Moody Blogger Review Program. http://www.mpnewsroom.com/content/blogger-review-program I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”