The plot thickens

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James Michael Becher

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Of Such Is the Kingdom Part III—The Early Church and the Roman Empire

Literature & Fiction

synopsis

Synopsis

This novel is the sequel to "Of Such Is The Kingdom Parts I & II A Novel of the Christ and the Roman Empire." It employs those characters who were still alive at the end of Part II and adds some new ones. Did Claressa embrace Manaheem's new-found faith? What happened to the bereaved family of Benjamin? Did Joseph, the oldest son get to go to Rabbi school? Did Barabbas continue to follow the master and did his wife and children join him? And was Pontius Pilate able to forget about his decision to crucify Jesus and did he become the strong ruler his wife wanted him to be? These and other questions are answered in this volume.

The new characters added include Saul, who becomes Paul, Herod Agrippa, the nephew of Herod Antipas, who wants to take over the latter's territory, and Caligula, the crazy son of Emperor Tiberius and friend of Agrippa. Against the background of suspicion and treachery within the empire and disdain for and persecution of the new faith, the Church continues to grow and flourish.

Follow the travels of Manaheem as he tries in vain to convert the two Herods. Follow the machinations of Herod Agrippa in his aim to take over his uncle's territory. Follow the foibles of Pilate as he seeks to become a stronger ruler, while still regretting his decision to crucify Jesus.

Follow the new life of Barabbas and his family. Follow the lives of Benjamin's family as they cope and deal with their loss and the now seeming impossibility of Joseph's schooling. Will he get to go to Rabbi school and what will it mean for their future? But mainly follow the early church as it grows in spite of persecution.

bio

Author Biography
I, was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, on June 8, 1943 to a Christian family and accepted Jesus at an early age. In Jr. High School, I became interested in writing and drama. I wrote poems, articles and a few short stories, and plays. In college, I won second prize in a contest with a Biblical short story, which now forms part of my first novel, “Of Such Is The Kingdom, A novel of the Christ and the Roman Empire,” published in 2003. In 2010, I wrote the sequel, “Of Such Is the Kingdom, Part III, Power and Persecution, A Novel of the early Church and the Roman Empire.” I also wrote a Sci-fi novel, “Impossible Journey, A Tale of Times and Truth” and a non-fiction book, “Principles of the Kingdom." I graduated from Clearwater Christian College in 1970 with a B.A. degree in Bible-Literature, and from Biblical School of Theology in 1974 with a M. Div. Ordained in November, 1974, I served as assistant pastor/Bible teacher in several churches. I also served in a foreign-student ministry, where I met my wife, Berenice Carett from Venezuela. In 2014 I wrote an American historical novel, called "The Christmas Victory."

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The plot thickens

Remember that Agrippa had come for a brief visit to Caligula with the hopes of reporting his uncle to the next emperor. Also remember that Caligula had mentioned his plan for an informal dinner party for his friends and backers to propel his bid for emperor forward. Here we look in on that party and find Agrippa, slightly intoxicated and overly excited about Caligula's leadership hopes, making a poignant toast that ends up getting him arrested. This serves to delay his plans and hopes. How long will he have to wait in prison? Stay tuned or buy the book. -------------- NOTE: This is volume 2 (the sequel to Parts I

Book Excerpt

Of Such Is the Kingdom Part III—The Early Church and the Roman Empire

It was actually not as informal as Caligula had let on that it was to be. The table was lavishly set. There was all manner of food and drink.
Many of the guests had known him from when he was there previously and the ones who didn't were please to meet him, or so they said. At first he simply made small talk--talking about how good it was to be back, the whether here and there, and the like. But as the evening wore on he thought it his duty to his friend to speak on his behalf. So he brought up the subject of Caligula's claim to the throne and the fact that he would make a fine ruler. The wine flowed freely and as they drank and became more intoxicated they spoke more freely. Thus it was that Agrippa rose and proposed the following toast: "To our next emperor, Gius Caligula. May Tiberius hurry up and die so his reign can begin and may it last forever." Everyone laughed and no one thought any more about the strange toast until the next day.
He was suffering from a massive hangover when two palace guards came bursting through the door and quickly stood before him. "Herod Agrippa,” one of them said, "you are under arrest for high treason against the rule of Tiberius Caesar."
"What?!" He couldn't believe his ears. "Is this some sort of a joke? Don't you know who I am?"
"We know alright." replied the other guard.
Then the first one added: "did you, or did you not wish the emperor dead at that little party the other night?"
"Oh, that?! It was merely a joke."
"Well, we'll see how funny the emperor thinks it is. Come along."
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James Michael Becher

Of Such Is the Kingdom Part III—The Early Church and the Roman Empire

Synopsis

Author Biography

Author Insight

Book Excerpt

Of Such Is the Kingdom Part III—The Early Church and the Roman Empire

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