What do you think?
Rate this book
Of Such Is The Kingdom Part I, Discontent and Insurrection
A Powerful blending of stories of 3 seekers from different walks of life, who might have lived then, and how they eventually found fulfillment. shows a stark contrast between earthly kingdoms of that time and the Kingdom of God. (This is the revised version of Part I only t does not contain PART II OR PART III.,)
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 the 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 loses his head. Herod's palace is attacked, and suspecting Pilate, he tells Manaheem to go ahead with the mission. Barabbas is successful in forming a group of insurrectionists and they rehearse for the big day
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 the 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 loses his head. Herod's palace is attacked, and suspecting Pilate, he tells Manaheem to go ahead with the mission. Barabbas is successful in forming a group of insurrectionists and they rehearse for the big day
370 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 3, 2003
25 people are currently reading
35 people want to read
About the author
James M. Becher
10 books9 followersJames M. Becher was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, on June 8, 1943 to a Christian family and accepted Christ at an early age. He was an avid reader in his youth, especially interested in stories about other time periods and also science fiction. In Jr. High school, he became interested in writing and drama. He wrote several poems, articles and a few short stories, plays and novelettes.
While attending St.Petersburg Jr. College, he won second prize in a short story contest with the Biblical short story, "Beggarman-Thief."
He graduated from Clearwater Christian College in 1970, with a B.A. degree in Bible-literature, and Biblical School of Theology (now Biblical Seminary) in Hatfield, Pennsylvania, in 1974 with a M.Div.
He was ordained in November of 1974, and has served as assistant or associate pastor or Bible teacher in several churches. He also served in a foreign student ministry, which is where he met his wife, Berenice from Venezuela. It was there also that he began working on the novel Of Such Is The Kingdom, based on his short story, "Beggarman-Thief." In 1984, James and his wife spent a year and a half in Venezuela, where, while teaching English, he also worked on his second novel, IMPOSSIBLE JOURNEY A Tale of Times and Truth. Upon returning from Venezuela, he completed and revised his Biblical novel, OF SUCH IS THE KINGDOM, which was published by PublishAmerica on September 7th, 2003. He completed and revised IMPOSSIBLE JOURNEY and it was published in June of 2005.
While attending St.Petersburg Jr. College, he won second prize in a short story contest with the Biblical short story, "Beggarman-Thief."
He graduated from Clearwater Christian College in 1970, with a B.A. degree in Bible-literature, and Biblical School of Theology (now Biblical Seminary) in Hatfield, Pennsylvania, in 1974 with a M.Div.
He was ordained in November of 1974, and has served as assistant or associate pastor or Bible teacher in several churches. He also served in a foreign student ministry, which is where he met his wife, Berenice from Venezuela. It was there also that he began working on the novel Of Such Is The Kingdom, based on his short story, "Beggarman-Thief." In 1984, James and his wife spent a year and a half in Venezuela, where, while teaching English, he also worked on his second novel, IMPOSSIBLE JOURNEY A Tale of Times and Truth. Upon returning from Venezuela, he completed and revised his Biblical novel, OF SUCH IS THE KINGDOM, which was published by PublishAmerica on September 7th, 2003. He completed and revised IMPOSSIBLE JOURNEY and it was published in June of 2005.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 10, 2021
This is a very imaginative novel about the time of Jesus and the early church. Becher embellishes on the biblical account and provides vignettes of Herod, Pilate, Barabbas, and more. I like how he expands on hints from the Bible, such as making Pilate's wife quite overbearing and showing how tortured Pilate was after his decision to free Barabbas instead of Jesus. We are also given a believable reason for Barabbas to have been incarcerated. Becher does a good job of weaving together the stories of the various characters and introducing others to fill in the narrative. One of the vignettes, for example, is a person who went to the wedding telling of Jesus changing the water into wine. We get a good sense of the skepticism witnesses experienced when recounting their seeing the risen Jesus. We also see how belief in Jesus really changed lives.
The edition of the novel I read would have benefited from some additional editing. One example is ending one section with the thoughts of Manaheem, a male, and beginning the next section using “he.” It was quite some time before I realized now the he was Barabbas. (2176/3657). And, “The old geyser refused to work for me.” (3332/3657) A young man questions if there is money for college. (2356/3657) While the first university was established in 859, the term college did not come into use until the fourteenth century. And then there is an odd attempt at vernacular. Characters say y' for you and th' for the. Considering the characters in biblical times were not speaking English, “Did j' bring me somepin', Daddy?” (7453657) just does not seem meaningful.
This is a unique novel for readers of biblical fiction and I do recommend it. It contains some good insights into the time of Jesus and early church.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this book from the author. My comments are an independent and honest review.
The edition of the novel I read would have benefited from some additional editing. One example is ending one section with the thoughts of Manaheem, a male, and beginning the next section using “he.” It was quite some time before I realized now the he was Barabbas. (2176/3657). And, “The old geyser refused to work for me.” (3332/3657) A young man questions if there is money for college. (2356/3657) While the first university was established in 859, the term college did not come into use until the fourteenth century. And then there is an odd attempt at vernacular. Characters say y' for you and th' for the. Considering the characters in biblical times were not speaking English, “Did j' bring me somepin', Daddy?” (7453657) just does not seem meaningful.
This is a unique novel for readers of biblical fiction and I do recommend it. It contains some good insights into the time of Jesus and early church.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this book from the author. My comments are an independent and honest review.
March 17, 2018
REVIEW BY VIVIAN CRYSTAL"
Beneath every human beings' virtues and foibles, a singular hunger lies waiting for a revelation which will create a powerful direction that supersedes all other human goals. James M. Becher takes the reader back to the lifetime of Jesus Christ, into the homes, conversations, and deeds of ordinary and extraordinary individuals who were so deeply affected by the birth of this man.... Read this book to discover the fictional yet all too probable, and powerful, effect of one man sent to speak to the heart of every human being within this novel and those who read it. Very nicely written, J. M. Becher!
REVIEW by Rudelle Thomas in the Divine Eloquence newsletter (http://divineeloquence.divineministri...)
Of Such Is The Kingdom is a fictional novel based on Biblical truths. James Becher has artfully taken the events surrounding Jesus' time here on earth and told what could have been from each character's perspective. The story has a powerful message that has clearly been displayed throughout the novel. Mr. Becher takes you through a wide range of emotions from beginning to end. As you turn the final pages having just been taken through Jesus' last days on earth, you are left not only feeling grateful for what He's done for us, but also hopeful and joyful, knowing that the Gospel of Jesus Christ affects and changes the lives of all who hears it. This is a great novel that I'm sure you will enjoy!
Beneath every human beings' virtues and foibles, a singular hunger lies waiting for a revelation which will create a powerful direction that supersedes all other human goals. James M. Becher takes the reader back to the lifetime of Jesus Christ, into the homes, conversations, and deeds of ordinary and extraordinary individuals who were so deeply affected by the birth of this man.... Read this book to discover the fictional yet all too probable, and powerful, effect of one man sent to speak to the heart of every human being within this novel and those who read it. Very nicely written, J. M. Becher!
REVIEW by Rudelle Thomas in the Divine Eloquence newsletter (http://divineeloquence.divineministri...)
Of Such Is The Kingdom is a fictional novel based on Biblical truths. James Becher has artfully taken the events surrounding Jesus' time here on earth and told what could have been from each character's perspective. The story has a powerful message that has clearly been displayed throughout the novel. Mr. Becher takes you through a wide range of emotions from beginning to end. As you turn the final pages having just been taken through Jesus' last days on earth, you are left not only feeling grateful for what He's done for us, but also hopeful and joyful, knowing that the Gospel of Jesus Christ affects and changes the lives of all who hears it. This is a great novel that I'm sure you will enjoy!
Read
January 6, 2021What an amazing and intriguing novel. "Of Such is the Kingdom" has its setting at the time of Jesus and his last days, covering his death and resurrection. It provides insight into what the characters in the storyline thought and/or experienced at this time. Although there is a strong presence of people taken right out of the Bible, the storyline is so well-written that a knowledge of the Biblical context is not necessary - the novel stands alone. If one has knowledge of the Biblical storyline of the last days of Jesus, however, the characters "jump of the pages." The conversational tone that takes place between the characters that might have taken place are stimulating and very realistic. Some of the real characters at the time are Jesus, Pontius Pilate (his story is wonderful), King Herold, King Agrippa, the apostles Paul and Peter, Salome, and Barabbas and many, many more intertwined with fictional characters that bring the story to life. "Of Such is the Kingdom" has a touch of drama, love, romance, violence and humor. It is an entertaining, easy read. I couldn't put it down and read it in one setting. The addition of the occasional poem was uplifting and a nice addition to the book. James M. Becher provides the reader with an excellent storyline of what might have been in an interesting, compelling and thought-provoking way. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. This one is a definite 5! An outstanding novel...
July 22, 2021
"Of Such Is the Kingdom: A Novel of Biblical Times in Three Parts" by James M. Becher is a really great book, well I guess it is really three books in one. I really didn't want to quit reading when I got to the end of the book. This is Biblical Fiction that I think all readers of Christian Historical and Christian Fiction will enjoy. This book tells the story of what might have been that's not in the Bible. The story doesn't take anything from the Bible.Some of the characters in this novel are Jesus, Pontius Pilate, King Herold, King Agrippa, the apostles Paul and Peter, Salome, and Barabbas and many, many more with fictional characters that bring the Biblical story to life.
While reading this book I kept telling myself this would really make a great movie. I really felt that I could see the events happening as they were described in the book. I think the scene that really touched me the most was when the two thieves was talking on the cross and one admitted he deserved to die but Jesus didn't. This isn't a spoiler alert because we all know this part is in the Bible. It was interesting to read their "fictional" story of how they ended up hanging on a cross.
Another part I enjoyed was the releasing of Barabbas.
I think if you like Biblical Fictional you need to read this book.
I liked that each chapter has either a poem or a quote from a famous person or a Biblical quote.
I received a complimentary copy from the author and these opinions are my own
While reading this book I kept telling myself this would really make a great movie. I really felt that I could see the events happening as they were described in the book. I think the scene that really touched me the most was when the two thieves was talking on the cross and one admitted he deserved to die but Jesus didn't. This isn't a spoiler alert because we all know this part is in the Bible. It was interesting to read their "fictional" story of how they ended up hanging on a cross.
Another part I enjoyed was the releasing of Barabbas.
I think if you like Biblical Fictional you need to read this book.
I liked that each chapter has either a poem or a quote from a famous person or a Biblical quote.
I received a complimentary copy from the author and these opinions are my own
July 7, 2021
I really enjoyed this book. It is a book of fiction but I found as I was reading it not only could I not put it down but I felt like I was there. The book is in 3 parts. Starting with when the 3 Wiseman went to the king about a baby king being born. This is a compelling story that takes real scriptures from the Bible with a fictional twist. Real people.who have sinned and then gave themselves to salvation and accepted Jesus as the savior. I highly recommend reading this book . If you are a non believer you may be by the end of.the book if you already believe then it's a nice read to reinforce it all.
March 14, 2020
REVIEW by Rudelle Thomas in the Divine Eloquence newsletter (http://divineeloquence.divineministri...)
Of Such Is The Kingdom is a fictional novel based on Biblical truths. James Becher has artfully taken the events surrounding Jesus' time here on earth and told what could have been from each characters perspective. The story has a powerful message that has clearly been displayed throughout the novel. Mr. Becher takes you through a wide range of emotions from beginning to end. As you turn the final pages having just been taken through Jesus' last days on earth, you are left not only feeling grateful for what He's done for us, but also hopeful and joyful, knowing that the Gospel of Jesus Christ affects and changes the lives of all who hears it. This is a great novel that I'm sure you will enjoy!
Of Such Is The Kingdom is a fictional novel based on Biblical truths. James Becher has artfully taken the events surrounding Jesus' time here on earth and told what could have been from each characters perspective. The story has a powerful message that has clearly been displayed throughout the novel. Mr. Becher takes you through a wide range of emotions from beginning to end. As you turn the final pages having just been taken through Jesus' last days on earth, you are left not only feeling grateful for what He's done for us, but also hopeful and joyful, knowing that the Gospel of Jesus Christ affects and changes the lives of all who hears it. This is a great novel that I'm sure you will enjoy!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews