Works by W.M. Ramsay
- Letters to the Seven Churches of Asia
Description: In the Book of Revelation, we find John's
letters to the seven churches of first century Asia Minor, written
during the era of the Roman Empire. The seven churches correspond to
the seven congregations found in these cities: Ephesus, City of Change;
Smyrna, City of Life; Pergamum, City of Authority; Thyatira, City of
Weakness Made Strong; Sardis, City of Death; Philadelphia, Missionary
City; and Laodicea, City of Compromise. William Ramsay presents these
letters to help readers better understand their content as well as the
historical context surrounding their authorship. Letters to the
Seven
Churches of Asia is filled with facts regarding the general
importance
of letter writing in the Early Church, the mobility of letters during
this time period, John's intentions in writing the Seven Letters, and
the influence of religion in the development of first century cities.
John's letters provide historical insight into Greco-Roman culture and
geography. They also serve to guide Christians in their spiritual
development. Ramsay's book brings John's letters into a useful
contemporary light.
Emmalon Davis
CCEL Staff Writer
- St. Paul the Traveler and the Roman Citizen
Description: Ramsay wrote this book to tell the story of
Paul's life as it was documented in the Book of Acts.
Before Ramsay begins his study of Paul's life, he
discusses the date, composition, and authorship of Acts.
"The first and the essential quality of the great
historian is truth," says Ramsay. Of the four types of
historical writing, namely, romance, legend, second rate
history, and first rate history, Ramsay classifies the
Book of Acts as first rate historical writing. The
characterization of Paul found in Acts contains such
individualized detail that the author could not have
gathered this information by any means other than personal acquaintances
and original sources. As such, Ramsay believes that the author of Acts
has attained a superior mark of historical accuracy and literary
trustworthiness. St. Paul the Traveler and the Roman Citizen
contains
an excellent study of the Book of Acts as well as of Paul's life and
travels in first century Asia, Greece, and Rome.
Emmalon
Davis
CCEL Staff Writer
- Was Christ Born in Bethlehem?
