The Doctor and the Apostle: Intersections Between Doctor Who and the Letters of Paul
Ebook
What could a first-century church planter and tentmaker who helped forge the earliest years of a new religious movement possibly have in common with a British time traveling alien who first appeared in the 1960s to teach children about history? Doctor Who has been a beloved science fiction franchise for over fifty years. Paul's letters have been around for quite a while longer, with the earliest ones that he wrote dated less than a generation after the life of Jesus. Both have inspired and instructed people on how to live and have stoked the imagination for what individual and communal life can be in their own way. And both were or are deeply flawed, sometimes struggling against their own tendencies or those of others in order to help bring about something greater for their respective worlds. The Doctor and the Apostle explores the similarities and differences between Doctor Who's title character and Paul of Tarsus, comparing and contrasting the stories of each. Whether a fan of one or the other or both, the reader will gain a greater understanding of the possibilities of a life of faith, as well as a deeper appreciation of how pop culture and Scripture may help inform one another.
“You don’t have to be a fan of, or even familiar with, Paul or
Doctor Who to appreciate these well-told stories of two
imperfect, traveling helpers who rely not only on their own
leadings and wisdom, but also on learning from their companions as
well as their opponents. Be prepared to see connections between
Galatians and Cybermen, and resurrection and regeneration; nuances
of gender roles; and jargon-free discussions of Paul’s own writings
and later additions.”
—Jonathan H. Harwell, Rollins College, co-editor of Theology and
Prince
“In this book, Jeff Nelson answers the question a select few have
longed to see answered: what happens if you compare the lives,
activities, and values of the Doctor and the Apostle Paul? For
those who never thought to ask this question, his book is all the
more interesting and valuable, since it opens up fascinating
avenues along which you’ll better appreciate your faith and
fandom—whether as a Whovian, a Christian, or both—and at the same
time be led to ask new questions that will deepen your
understanding of stories and/or letters that you think you’re
familiar with.”
—James F. McGrath, Clarence L. Goodwin Chair in New Testament
Language and Literature, Butler University
“If you could take the Tardis to Tarsus, what would you learn? If
this question has you intrigued, Jeff Nelson is your trustworthy
guide. A feast for Doctor Who fans, and a generative space
for students of the Apostle Paul, this book lives up to its claim
to mine the intersections of history, culture, ethics, and faith in
ways that make both the show and the Bible more relevant and fun
for everyday life.”
—Deborah Krause, President and Professor of New Testament, Eden
Theological Seminary
“Jeff Nelson’s The Doctor and the Apostle left me with a
deeper appreciation of Doctor Who and a better understanding
of the Apostle Paul—both of which I have complicated relationships
with. Nelson’s unique approach to the intersections of pop culture
and the Christian understanding of the Christian biblical canon
will enable you to peer into the similarities of science fiction
and Scripture. I’m sure you will find yourself in the pages of this
book in ways you hadn’t thought possible. It’s worth your
time.”
—Robert W. Lee, author of A Sin by Any Other Name: Reckoning
with Racism and the Heritage of the South
- Title: The Doctor and the Apostle: Intersections Between Doctor Who and the Letters of Paul
- Author: Jeffrey A. Nelson
- Publisher: Wipf and Stock
- Print Publication Date: 2020
- Logos Release Date: 2020
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Ebook
- ISBNs: 9781725263185, 9781725263154, 9781725263178, 1725263181, 1725263157, 1725263173
- Resource ID: LLS:9781725263185
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-29T20:21:18Z
Jeffrey A. Nelson serves on the national staff of the United
Church of Christ. He is the author of Wonder and Whiskey:
Insights on Faith from the Music of Dave Matthews Band (2018)
and Prayer in Motion: Connecting with God in Fidgety Times
(2018).