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A review by leswag97
St. Patrick of Ireland: A Biography by Philip Freeman
3.0
In Philip Freeman's biography of St. Patrick, he successfully separates the Patrick of history from the Patrick of myth. Freeman tells the story, as best we can piece it together, thanks to reliable sources, archaeology, and historical studies, of Patrick, a British-born son of nobility and status, who at the age of 15 was captured by Irish pirates and taken to Ireland as a slave. For six years, Patrick worked as a shepherd, serving his Irish masters; during this time, he became a deep follower of Christ, and eventually made his way home to Britain at the age of 21, only to return later in life to Ireland, where he would spend the rest of his life, ministering to, living with, and proclaiming the good news of Jesus to those who had once captured and enslaved him.
If anyone is interested in St. Patrick, one should definitely read Freeman's biography. As far as biographies go, it is relatively short, and a very easy read. I personally enjoyed the latter half of the book more than the former half. In the last chapters, Freeman dives deep into the only two written documents still in existence composed by Patrick, and in his Epilogue, Freeman includes the two letters in their entirety in his own translation.
These two letters, "Letter to the Soldiers of Coroticus" and "Confession," are endearing and enlightening. They expose us to the very real, historical, and human Patrick who would later, after his death, become the Patron Saint of Ireland. Rather than applauding himself, Patrick writes candidly in these letters about his faults and shortcomings: "I am Patrick--a sinner--the most unsophisticated and unworthy among all the faithful of God." He is ashamed of his lack of education--"I have been afraid that people would laugh at the way I write. You see, I don't have much education compared to other people"--but he also sees the hand of God in this, as it is proof to Patrick that it is only by the gift of God that he is able to do in Ireland what the Lord has assigned for him to do: "God chose foolish little me from among all of you who seem so wise and so expert in the law and so powerful in your eloquence. He picked ignorant Patrick ... to go forth with fear and reverence ... to serve the Irish faithfully."
If anyone is interested in St. Patrick, one should definitely read Freeman's biography. As far as biographies go, it is relatively short, and a very easy read. I personally enjoyed the latter half of the book more than the former half. In the last chapters, Freeman dives deep into the only two written documents still in existence composed by Patrick, and in his Epilogue, Freeman includes the two letters in their entirety in his own translation.
These two letters, "Letter to the Soldiers of Coroticus" and "Confession," are endearing and enlightening. They expose us to the very real, historical, and human Patrick who would later, after his death, become the Patron Saint of Ireland. Rather than applauding himself, Patrick writes candidly in these letters about his faults and shortcomings: "I am Patrick--a sinner--the most unsophisticated and unworthy among all the faithful of God." He is ashamed of his lack of education--"I have been afraid that people would laugh at the way I write. You see, I don't have much education compared to other people"--but he also sees the hand of God in this, as it is proof to Patrick that it is only by the gift of God that he is able to do in Ireland what the Lord has assigned for him to do: "God chose foolish little me from among all of you who seem so wise and so expert in the law and so powerful in your eloquence. He picked ignorant Patrick ... to go forth with fear and reverence ... to serve the Irish faithfully."