In his writings, he originated two new literary genres: the documentary historical novel (all characters and major episodes authentic), and the theological thriller.
KALAMAZOO, MI, April 05, 2018 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Marquis Who's Who, the world's premier publisher of biographical profiles, is proud to present Paul L. Maier, PhD, with the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award. An accomplished listee, Dr. Maier celebrates many years' experience in his professional network, and has been noted for achievements, leadership qualities, and the credentials and successes he has accrued in his field. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Professor emeritus of ancient history at Western Michigan University (WMU), Dr. Maier taught on campus for 51 years (making him the first faculty member to serve 50 years at Western). He was also a campus chaplain for 39 of those years. A Lutheran scholar on the history of Christianity, historian and novelist who has written scholarly works and 25 historical fiction and non-fiction books on Christianity and ancient historians, he is the former Russell H. Siebert professor at WMU, having retired in 2011. Previously, he served a vice president of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.
Dr. Maier's professional interests have included ancient Near East, ancient Greece, ancient Rome, Christianity and the Roman Empire and the Reformation Era. In his writings, he originated two new literary genres: the documentary historical novel (all characters and major episodes authentic), and the theological thriller. Some of his books have included the #1 national best seller in religious fiction, A Skeleton in God's Closet in 1993. Others have included More Than a Skeleton in 2003, a children's book, Martin Luther: A Man Who Changed the World in 2004, and The Da Vinci Code-Fact or Fiction? in 2004, which he co-authored with Hank Hanegraaf and is a critical rebuttal of Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code. His first book, A Man Spoke, a World Listened. was a biography of his famous father, Dr. Walter A. Maier, who was the founding speaker of The Lutheran Hour radio program, which remains on the air to the present day. Other works include Pontius Pilate, The Flames of Rome and The Constantine Codex.
His non-fiction works include In the Fullness of Time, a book that correlates sacred with secular evidence from the ancient world impinging on Jesus and early Christianity; Josephus -- The Essential Works, a new translation/commentary on writings of the first-century Jewish historian; and Eusebius -- The Church History, a similar book on the first Christian historian. Maier's latest work is a new edition of Foxe's Book of Martyrs, the famed best-seller of the Reformation Era. About four million Maier books are now in print in 120 editions translated into twenty languages, as well as some 250 articles and reviews in professional journals and the general press.
Featured on the Christian daily talk show "100 Huntley Street in Canada" during 2004, Dr. Maier often travels and lectures for guests in his areas of expertise. He has hosted six video series dealing with Jesus, St. Paul, the early church, and current Christianity. His work in academia, his particular area of study, and his writings have never gone unnoticed. In recognition of his tireless efforts, he has been the recipient of an Alumni Award for Teaching Excellence in 1974, was a Distinguished Faculty Scholar from WMU in 1981, was Professor of the Year by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education in 1984, received a Citation from the Michigan Academy of Science, Arts, and Letters in 1985, and was a Gold Medallion Book Award winner in 1989.
A Master's graduate of Harvard University in 1954, who then completed an MDiv at Concordia Seminary in 1955, he then studied under Karl Barth and Oscar Cullmann at the University of Basel, which awarded him the Doctor of Philosophy Degree summa cum laude. He was the first American ever to receive the highest honors from the Swiss university. Dr. Maier was also the recipient of three honorary doctoral degrees in 1995 to 2007.
Born in St. Louis, MO, the second son of Dr. Walter A. and Hulda (Eickhoff) Maier, he is now celebrating 50 years of marriage to Joan M. Ludtke, with whom he shares four daughters.
Dr. Maier has been highlighted in numerous editions of Who's Who in America, Who's Who in American Education, Who's Who in Religion and Who's Who in the Midwest.
In recognition of outstanding contributions to his profession and the Marquis Who's Who community, Paul L. Maier, PhD, has been featured on the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement website. Please visit www.ltachievers.com for more information about this honor.
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