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Of Such Is the Kingdom, Part I: Discontent and Insurrection: A Novel of the Christ and the Roman Empire
Step back into New Testament times - to Ancient Palestine at the time of Christ and of the historical Roman Empire, and What could a cynical, non-conformist dry-goods salesman, a disgruntled blacksmith, and a musing mendicant all have in common? The 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 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?
Writing The writing style is a unique eclectic style, combining poetry, straight dialogue, and first-person stream-of-consciousness narrative with third-person narration.
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?
Writing The writing style is a unique eclectic style, combining poetry, straight dialogue, and first-person stream-of-consciousness narrative with third-person narration.
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Published March 10, 2021
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.
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