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Love, Forgiveness, and Salvation
St. Paul Goes to Spain follows three men bound by their shared faith and curiosity about the apostle Paul, who, after discovering a letter, they go on a journey to the places they think Paul could have visited in Spain. What inspired the setup of your story?
Well, I wrote it as an historian and a Christian, but I was long interested if Paul actually made a missionary trip to Spain which he mentioned in some other published Scripture, such as the Book of Romans. Plus, I have loved fiction ever since early-life discoveries of Steinbeck, Hemingway, etc. It is a way of reaching people and drawing upon your imagination to tell great stories that, in fact, usually reach a lot more people than histories! I did an earlier novel on early Christianity in the Americas (Columbian discoveries, conquests, and settlements) and how Jesus, or, more exactly, some of his followers and prophets may have reached the New World hundreds of years before 1492, and they left evidence (artifacts in the forms of the Cross), and I was off into the past again, this time inventing and tracing a story which I think could have actually happened. Ok, I’ll stop here. I’ve had a couple cups of coffee and it is Saturday morning and football games don’t begin until this afternoon!
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
I’ve always enjoyed the trajectory and messages of the Apostle Paul in the New Testament, especially since he produced more than half of the Books of the New Testament. He was, in fact, the writer who did more to write down the teachings of Jesus, or to create the theology of Christianity. So I suppose my principal interest was in exploring, one, the central themes of Christianity that Paul taught (love, forgiveness, salvation, etc.) and, two, how he probably took them to Spain, a country I have long loved and admired given my background and experiences, first visiting as a young Naval officer in the Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean in the mid-1960s, and then over the years as a historian, where I especially learned about the land and its people while researching for my dissertation in the Archive of the Indies, Seville, 1970-71,.
What experience in your life has had the biggest impact on your writing?
Without a doubt, it has been the growth of my Christian faith, influenced especially by my marriage to my wife Louise more than thirty years ago. Without going into detail, she showed me that true worship in understanding did not come necessarily with reading and doing good works, but through the faith that comes when God in his infinite Grace accepts you into his world. You have but to accept. Secondarily, but no less important (although not as transcending as making the same discovery that Martin Luther made in the early sixteenth century when he discovered for himself, while teaching at Wittenberg on the Book of Galatians, the true power of the grace of God) was my teaching the history of Christianity over the last almost five decades to various forums, from my students at the University of Alabama, to mission trips into places like Honduras and the Dominican Republic, and my all-time favorite students, the prisoners of the Tuscaloosa County Jail where I’ve been ministering on a weekly basis for twenty-five years.
What is one thing that you hope readers take away from St. Paul Goes to Spain?
That the Christian message given to Paul by Jesus (beginning with his Road to Damascus conversion) was indeed aimed to the entire world, albeit a world circumscribed by the knowledge of geography of the world 2000 years ago. Taking it to Spain was just reaching the far Western end of the Mediterranean and I even hint that Paul may have voyaged into the Atlantic with some of the intrepid Phoenician mariners of the times and zipped across the Atlantic, about fifteen hundred years before Columbus!
What if the Apostle Paul, after his release from imprisonment in Rome, embarked on a daring journey to the far reaches of the Roman Empire? “St. Paul Goes to Spain” by Lawrence Clayton is a riveting historical fiction novel that imagines this very scenario, blending meticulous research with engaging storytelling.
Join Matthew Western, an intrepid archaeologist, as he uncovers ancient artifacts in the Sinai desert, sparking a quest to prove that Paul indeed traveled to Spain. His journey intertwines with the lives of several compelling characters:John Baldus, a former Army soldier and current Divinity student, who grapples with faith and doubt while investigating Paul’s journeys.
Domingo, a Dominican priest in modern Spain, facing spiritual challenges and historical mysteries.
Slate Watson, a daring crop-duster pilot with a rich military past, whose adventurous spirit leads him into the heart of biblical archaeology.
Sarah Maxwell, an Englishwoman tracing her ancestors’ historic discoveries, contributing her own expertise to the mission.
Together, they delve into historical sites, uncover ancient manuscripts, and piece together the lost chapters of early Christian history. From the dusty libraries of St. Catherine’s Monastery to the vibrant landscapes of modern Spain, their quest reveals profound insights and unexpected connections.
“St. Paul Goes to Spain” explores the intersection of faith, history, and archaeology, offering readers a captivating journey through time and belief. It’s a story of discovery, adventure, and the enduring impact of one man’s mission to spread the Christian faith.
LAWRENCE A. CLAYTON was born in October 1942, in Summit, New Jersey. He lived in Peru for seven years. He attended Duke University (B.A., 1964), and earned his M.A. (1969) and Ph.D. (1972) at Tulane University in Latin American History. From 1964-1966 he served as an officer in the U.S. Navy on the USS Donner (LSD-20), cruising both in the Caribbean and the Mediterranean with the 6th Fleet. He was on the faculty of the University of Alabama from 1972-2013. He directed the Latin American Studies Program from 1980 to 1992. He was Chair of Department of History 2000-2007 and was Interim Chair, 2009-2010. His specialties focused on Latin American history and the history of the Christian church. He is now Professor Emeritus of History. He retired in 2013. He held two Senior Fulbright Lecturing Awards, one in 1983 to Costa Rica and one in 1988 to Peru. In 1983 he served as President of the South Eastern Council on Latin American Studies. In 1999 he held a year-long Pew Evangelical Scholars Fellowship.
St. Paul Goes to Spain: A Novel
St. Paul Goes to Spain by Lawrence A. Clayton is a captivating work of religious fiction that brings together history, faith, and intrigue. The story introduces us to three main characters—Matthew, John, and Domingo—whose lives, while seemingly different, are bound by their shared faith and curiosity about the apostle Paul. This shared religious fascination drives the plot, with much of the narrative centered on the discovery of a letter believed to be written by Paul to a church in Spain.
The novel’s premise revolves around the authenticity and location of this letter, sparking a journey of discovery for the characters and their companions. This quest takes them to places Paul could have visited if his journey to Spain, hinted at in the New Testament, had indeed taken place. This historical mystery gives the book its compelling edge, encouraging readers to reflect on Christianity’s roots while expanding their understanding of faith. One of the most fascinating aspects of St. Paul Goes to Spain is its grounding in real-world history. Clayton weaves in significant historical events, such as the fall of the Berlin Wall, and touches on modern political issues, including the ongoing turmoil in the Middle East. These references not only add depth to the narrative but also prompt readers to think critically about war, politics, and their impact on religion, both past and present. The question of whether Paul ever reached Spain is a topic of theological debate, and Clayton skillfully uses this ambiguity to drive the story. The characters explore regions Paul might have visited, offering readers a fresh lens through which to consider early Christianity and its spread. By blending history, religion, and politics, the author successfully creates a rich, thought-provoking narrative.
Clayton’s ability to merge these elements makes the book worthwhile for those interested in world events or religious fiction. St. Paul Goes to Spain offers a unique perspective, encouraging readers to contemplate both the historical and spiritual aspects of faith while providing an engaging exploration of Paul’s possible travels. I highly recommend it to anyone drawn to stories that intertwine history, belief, and current affairs.
Pages: 237 | ASIN : B0DC6PPXF8
LITERARY TITAN 