The Lost Apostle, Paperback Reprint

In The Lost Apostle award-winning journalist Rena Pederson investigates a little known subject in early Christian history—the life and times of the female apostle Junia. Junia was an early convert and leading missionary whose story was “lost” when her name was masculinized to Junias in later centuries. The Lost Apostle unfolds like a well-written detective story, presenting Pederson’s lively search for insight and information about a woman some say was the first female apostle.

Acknowledgments vii

Introduction: The Search Begins 1

1 Cherchez la Femme 7

2 Who Was in the Apostle Club? 27

3 Was the “Lady in Red” an Apostle? 47

4 What About Thecla? 61

5 A Woman of Her Times 77

6 What Was in Paul’s Letter? 111

7 How Did Junia Get Lost? 127

8 Which Bible Can You Believe? 153

9 The Saints We Left Behind 177

10 Finding Junia 203

Discussion Questions 219

Notes 227

Bibliography 257

The Author 263

Index 265

Rena Pederson's distinguished career in journalism includes serving for sixteen years as editorial page editor of the Dallas Morning News. She is a former finalist for the Pulitzer Prize and was a member of the Pulitzer Prize board for nine years. A winner of multiple writing awards, Pederson is the author of two books—What's Next? Women Redefining Their Dreams in the Prime of Life and What's Missing? Inspiration for Women Seeking Faith and Joy in Their Lives.

Praise for The Lost Apostle

"Pederson—a former editorial page editor at the Dallas Morning News . . . presents the linguistic, historical, and theological rationales used to justify displacing the biblical reference to a female apostle. What she finds is fascinating! Not only about Junia, but also about two other little-known female leaders of the Jesus movement . . . Ms. Pederson's constant surprise at her discoveries gives the book an authentic appeal."
—Dwight A. Moody, Dallas Morning News

"Engagingly written and intelligently documented, this book is recommended as a worthy contribution."
—Library Journal

"Thanks to Rena Pederson for digging into The Case of the Missing Apostle like a good police reporter. Junia the apostle was one of the first victims of identity theft. Restoring her name is a service to women everywhere."

—Linda Ellerbee, award-winning television producer, journalist, and best-selling author of Take Big Bites, Move On, and And So It Goes

"As a clergywoman, I am strengthened by Rena Pederson's work. She has done what should have been done years ago. Junia is the role model we've been searching for."
—Dr. Sheron Patterson, senior minister, Highland Hills United Methodist Church; newspaper columnist; and author, Sisters: A Mile in Her Shoes, Lessons from the Lives of Old Testament Women