Who Are Prisca and Aquila

About the Book

About the Author

I received my M.Div. degree from Andover Newton Theological School, my S.T.M. in Old Testament from Union Theological Seminary, N.Y.C. Then with my wife, Helen, and my ten-year-old son, I participated in archaeological digs in Jericho and Dhiban, and visited sites in Egypt, Turkey, Greece and Rome. Returning to the States, and influenced by my studies at Union under John Knox, professor of New Testament, all of whose courses and seminars I had taken, and acting according to his suggestion, I left for England and at the University of London, under Professor Christopher Evans as my mentor, I pursued my research for my Ph.D. degree on the ecumenism of Paul, my thesis entitled, “An Examination of the Ecumenical Practice of Paul as Disclosed in His Epistles.” My mentor suggested that I do my thesis according to the Epistles of Paul and absolutely not to use Acts at all. This sounded like a good challenge, and so I agreed, and by that rule I abided. After receiving my Ph.D. from the University of London, then at the libraries of the University of Florida, Gainesville, I continued for ten more years my research of the lives of Prisca and Aquila, their background in the culture, history, politics, and social life both in Greece and in Rome. Especially I did this in relation to the history and activities of the family of the Manius Acilius Glabrios, with whom Prisca was connected. Using my Ph.D. studies on Paul’s ecumenism and this research on Prisca and Aquila, I spent many years writing a religious-historical novel, The Senator’s Daughter, weaving together first both the early life of Prisca and of Aquila in Rome, and then their life together with Paul after meeting him in Corinth. I kept the novel true to Prisca and Aquila’s experiences with Paul according to the chronology and other information unfolded in Paul’s letters, and according to Prisca and Aquila’s political, cultural, sociological, and historical background of their earlier life in Rome as derived from my research. The novel is finished and in the hands of The Cambridge Literary Associates. Recently, I completed “A Study Guide to Paul’s Journeys: According to Scripture” (a video photographed and narrated by Robin Williams), published by Robin Williams Films, Laguna Beach, CA. The enclosed article, Prisca and Aquila, is based upon my thesis and the study of Prisca and Aquila. Since beginning my studies for my thesis, these two have intrigued me. Prisca and Aquila deserve to be recognized for whom they are, for their influence on this powerful Roman Senatorial family, and for their place in Western Christian history.