Saint Peter - by Stephen J Binz (Paperback)

About the Book

Biblical scholar Stephen Binz takes readers on a pilgrimage following the imperfect and flawed Peter from Galilee to Rome--from the spot where Peter first dropped his nets to follow Jesus to the place where he gave his life out of love for his Lord.

Through sound scholarship, first-hand experiences at places of pilgrimage, and spiritual reflection, Binz helps us embrace the fact that God works through broken human beings to accomplish truly beautiful things. Ultimately, this book reminds us that the papacy--from Peter to the present day--has always been filled by imperfect people through whom God chooses to advance his Church.

Book Synopsis

If St. Peter had moved in business or political circles, he would have been forgotten millennia ago. In most areas of life, those who make major mistakes are cast out, left to languish in their failure. But Peter, who made more than one major mistake while following Jesus, has been highly revered within the Church since the days when Jesus walked with the disciples. In fact, in holding Peter up so high, we can easily miss the essential lesson his life teaches us: that when flawed people experience forgiveness through Jesus, they are freed and empowered to be faithful followers of Christ.

In Saint Peter: Flawed, Forgiven, and Faithful, biblical scholar Stephen Binz takes readers on a pilgrimage from Galilee to Rome--from the spot where Peter first dropped his nets to follow Jesus to the place where he gave his life out of love for his Lord. Through sound scholarship, first-hand experiences at places of pilgrimage, and spiritual reflection, Binz helps us embrace the reality that God works through broken human beings to accomplish truly beautiful things.

Ultimately, Saint Peter: Flawed, Forgiven, and Faithful reminds us that the papacy--from Peter to the present day--has always been filled by imperfect people and, mysteriously and wonderfully, that's exactly the type of person through whom God advances the Church!

Review Quotes

"A marvelous book, which seamlessly combines biblical scholarship, travel narrative, historical research and spiritual reflections, to help us more fully understand one of the most fascinating men ever to have lived, and surely one of the most human."
- James Martin, SJ, editor at large at America Media, author of Jesus: A Pilgrimage


"I have been to Rome sixteen times and Jerusalem eleven, often traveling with highly qualified professional guides and respected theologians, yet reading Stephen Binz's book Saint Peter: Flawed, Forgiven and Faithful brought to light an extraordinary amount of new information. I can completely understand why so many pilgrims love traveling with Stephen when he leads a pilgrimage to the Holy Land or Italy, as their understanding of the Scriptures and Catholic history is enriched by Stephen's knowledge, his extreme attention to detail and exemplary concern for the truth".
- Edita Krunic, President, Select International Tours and Cruises


"I've never stopped to ask myself what Peter personally experienced every step of the way with Jesus. Or to wonder what he learned as he went on "alone" after the Ascension. I'll certainly never think of Peter the same way now that Stephen Binz's book made him and his amazing journey come alive. You need to read this book!"
- Julie Davis, author and blogger

If you've ever doubted your capacity to serve as a witness to Christ's love or as a servant leader within the Church, let Saint Peter: Flawed, Forgiven, and Faithful by Stephen J. Binz help you to rediscover the life and potent intercessory friendship of Saint Peter. Equal parts literary pilgrimage, well-researched biography and inspirational spiritual guide, this book will reignite your interest in a spiritual giant who faced so many of the same trials and hurdles you and I do today. Stephen J. Binz and this saintly bridge-builder hold the keys to helping us prayerfully discern our own path of witness and service.
- Lisa M. Hendey, author, founder of CatholicMom.com

Jesus' choice of Peter-- "a shuffler, a coward, and a snob--in a word, a man" was the crowning pastoral gift he gave to his Church. It assured for all time that the Church would be a safe haven for losers, oddballs, failures, and factory rejects: in short, sinners like you and me. That is why I will love Peter till the day I die and why I am grateful to Stephen J. Binz for bringing to life this splendid saint in his life and times for the rest of us. If you are a sinner in need of grace and mercy, Peter is the guy who will put his hand on your shoulder and say, "Jesus forgave me. He will surely forgive you too. Don't be afraid."
- Mark P. Shea, author and blogger


"This isn't just a good book. It's a pilgrimage beside the great Apostle, the blustery friend of Jesus, the first pope. By the end of it, I felt he was my friend, too. We'd been together, after all, from Galilee to Rome, from sin to repentance, from the mountaintop to the cross. Peter is repeatedly confronted with his weakness and raised up through mercy. So are those of us who have the privilege of reading Stephen Binz's book."
- Scott Hahn, president at St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, author

About the Author

Stephen J. Binz is a biblical scholar, award-winning author, and popular speaker. Following graduate degrees at the Gregorian University and the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome and Jerusalem, he has developed Bible studies in the church and offered numerous study trips and pilgrimages to biblical lands. His books have earned top awards from the Association of Catholic Publishers and the Catholic Press Association. He lives with his wife Pamela in Baton Rouge, LA. Information about his work may be found at www.Bridge-B.com.