12 episodes
Of Such Is The Kingdom, A Novel of Biblical Times Podiobooks.com
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Kingdom 12: Additional information
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 answered. 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 the newly written Part III of the newly revised and expanded "Of Such Is The Kingdom, A Novel of Biblical Times," and here the author alludes to some of the answers as he previews Part III and gives information as to where it can be obtained as an e-book by itself or as part of the revised edition either in print or e-book. The author does not intend to offer it here or to expand this audio version.
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Kingdom 11
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 with Claressa. The outro has info. on the sequel.
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Kingdom 10
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 the praetorium.(Ch.13-14) Barabbas (Ch.15) sees them from his cell window and asks Manaheem for help. Herod suggest that Pilate offer to release Jesus and they become friends again (Ch.16). Both Timotheus and Manaheem view the trial of Jesus (Ch.17), Timotheus from a hole in his cell wall and Manaheem from the praetorium. The beggars are tried and...
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Kingdom 09
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.8 tracks the sleep, or lack of it, of Pilate and Portia, Benjamin, Barabbas and Timotheus. Chapter 9 is the robbery. Timotheus almost turns back. The robbery goes bad. Benjamin's family (Ch.10) learn the news and some neighbor children suggest an answer. Barabbas is sentenced (Ch.11) and the other two awaiting trail. Ch.12 has the same title as the novel, as Deborah takes the children to see Jesus.
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Kingdom 08
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 shop owner busy expanding (Ch3), and the beggars again looking for a spot (Ch.4) and viewing another miracle. Meanwhile Pilate's wife suggests that Herod might have had something to do with the insurrection and Manaheem blackmails Herod over his part in it. Meanwhile, (Ch.5) Barabbas suggests robbery as a way to get money, but none of his men agree and all decide to go home. Barabbas feels it's not safe from him to come home yet so sends one of his men to tell Deborah that he's alright. Meanwhile (Ch.6) Manaheem shows Claressa the money and she prys out of him where he got it. She doesn't like the idea and...
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Kingdom 07
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 a platter. Shortly after the head is brought in, the palace is attacked by Aertes' army. Herod, suspecting Pilate might have something to do with the attack, (Ch.22) sends a page for Manaheem, who is with Claressa. The page mentions the beheading. Thus Manaheem rebukes Herod strongly, but still decides to further the insurrection plan. Barabbas and his men are ready and restless (Ch23) and Barabbas decides to go ahead but wonders if he should wait for the mysterious stranger. Just when he was deciding to go ahead, the stranger appears and tells him to do so. The rest of the chapter describes the insurrection and its outcome.