Step back into New Testament times--to Ancient Jerusalem at the time of Christ and of the historical Roman Empire, and ask: What could a cynical, non-conformist dry-goods salesman, a disgruntled blacksmith, and a musing mendicant all have in common? The answer: Down deep, they all seek something better. But will they find true fulfillment they are seeking? The non-conformist, Manaheem, Herod's foster brother, is hired by Herod to foment an insurrection against Pontius Pilate, whom he distrusts. Manaheem recruits the blacksmith, Barabbas, to be the insurrection leader, to the dismay of Barabbas' Godly but fearful wife (when he finally tells her).The mendicant, an unfortunate but pensive young man named Timotheus, joins with an older beggar completely unsympathetic to his musings. Pontius Pilate sees himself as a weak ruler, but his wife pushes him to be stronger and to even take over Herod's territory. Manaheem re-unites with his former wife, Claressa. In need of more money, he tries to blackmail Herod over his illicit affair With Herodius, his brother’s wife, but, Herod decides to marry Herodius and send his present wife back to her father. John the Baptist preaches to Herod and looses his head. Herod's palace is attacked, and suspecting Pilate, he tells Manaheem go ahead with the mission. Barabbas is successful in forming a group of insurrectionists and they rehearse for the big day. But will the insurrection succeed? What is next, and how will Barabbas and Manaheem get the money the need? More importantly, will all find the fulfillment they seek? Listen to find out.
-----------------------
WRITING STYLE: The writing style is a unique eclectic style, combining poetry, straight dialogue and 1st person stream-of-consciousness narrative with the 3rd person narration.
---------------------------
Praise for "Of Such Is The Kingdom":
"James M. Becher has artfully taken the events surrounding Jesus' time...and told what could have been from each characters perspective... Mr. Becher takes you through a wide range of emotions from beginning to end.... This is a great novel that I'm sure you will enjoy!"
------Rudelle Thomas in the January issue of Divine Eloquence.
Well, episode 11 ends Part II and thus ends the original first edition of "Of Such Is The Kingdom, A Novel of Biblical Times." But, as you may well be aware, some questions still remain to be answer…
The search for truth, meaning and fulfillment goes on (for all three characters) (Ch.18-20) and culminates against the background of crucifixion. Ch. 21 sees Manaheem trying to get back once more wi…
Pilate starts to send the letters when they bring Jesus. He sends Jesus to Herod who, in the presence of Manheem, taunts him, asking for a miracle, then sends him back to Pilate and they both go to t…
Barabbas solicits the aid of the two beggars in robbing Benjamin (Ch7). Lucas jumps at the chance but Timotheus is hesitant. Portia (Ch. 8) tells Pilate she forgot to send the letters. The rest of Ch…
we find Barabbas and his men hiding out in cave in the forest and Deborah and the children sick with worry about him. (Pt.2, Ch.1), Claressa asking Manaheem about the mission, Benjamin, the cloth sh…
Ch. 21 is titled "The Unforgettable Party," referring to Herod's birthday party at which Herodius' daughter, Salome, dances and, in answer to Herod's promise, asks for the head of John the baptist on…
Barabbas and his men (Ch.17) go over their attack plans and dream of their success. Meanwhile, Benjamin is also making plans--plans to expand his shop. Aertes is outraged (Ch.18) at Herod's sending S…
we find Manaheem thinking. (a first person monologue of his thoughts on love and conformity as they relate to his situation with Claressa, and his decision to solve his need for more money by blackm…
Pilate and Portia (Ch.7) decide to send complaint letters to Caesar about Herod. A messenger from Herod tells Pilate to raise the temple tax. He replies telling Herod to mind his own business. Portia…
We meet Potius Pilate and his wife Portia (Ch.4). Pilate sees himself as a week ruler, but yet, explores the virtue of democratic rule. His wife encourages him to be more strict and to take over Hero…
(Ch.3 of the e-book), we find out who the mysterious stranger is (in case you haven't figured it out) and also who he is working for and why he is trying to recruit an insurrection leader and to go …
A mysterious stranger arrives in Jerusalem seeking a man who "can be inspired and trained to lead a small insurrection." Failing to interest both a rich shopkeeper and an elderly beggar, he decides t…