Biblical Genres

One of the most common arguments against Christianity is that the God of the Old Testament seemed so drastically different than the God of the New Testament. In the Old, many claim He seemed cruel and capricious, while in the New, He suddenly became a God of love and tolerance. Yet Jesus said, “If you’ve seen Me, you’ve seen the Father”, and the writer of Hebrews tells us that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever”. If God hasn’t changed, how do we explain the apparent difference? The answer lies in a long-forgotten word: covenant.

Have you ever wondered what it was like for Eve to be the first woman, created as an adult but with the mind of a child? What must it have been like for Deborah to be the only female judge in Israel’s history? Ever considered how Esther felt about being chosen as queen in the ungodly kingdom of Persia - particularly when she’d have to share her husband with a harem? What must Mary and Martha have thought when their brother Lazarus had died, and it looked to them like Jesus was not coming?

Have you ever wondered what it would have been like to be one of the 5,000 when Jesus multiplied the fish and the loaves? Or one of his disciples when he walked on water? Or to have seen Lazarus come out of the tomb? Ever wonder what Mary thought when Gabriel told her she was pregnant by the Holy Spirit, or what the fallout was like in her personal life? Ever considered how those two disciples felt on the road to Emmaus, when they found that the man with whom they had been talking was in fact their risen Lord?

Although she is a Cushite by birth - one of the people of the lands to the south - Zipporah grew up as the beloved daughter of Jethro, high priest and sage of the Midianites. But the color of Zipporah’s skin sets her apart, making her an outsider to the men of her adopted tribe, who do not want her as a wife. Then one day, while drawing water from a well, she meets a handsome young stranger.

In The Staff of Moses, acclaimed Christian author Summer Lee breaks into the Biblical artifact treasure-hunting genre with an original, fast-paced standalone novel about the quest for the mystical Staff of Moses. When the adventure begins in 1963, Aviela, who works for the government, is assigned to rescue archaeologist Eldad Ben-Tzion from danger and take him to Jerusalem.

Four thousand years ago, Israelite general Gideon triumphed against the enemy Midianites. Before the battle, Gideon asked for a sign, so God made a sheep fleece wet, but kept the ground dry. After the victory, Gideon made a priestly vest from plundered gold earrings. Fast forward to modern day where Achava, a guardian of Israel with supernatural powers, invites Sam, a retired Biblical Studies professor, to travel with her to view the purported golden vest.

Two thousand years ago, Christ was mocked during the crucifixion with a painful crown of thorns. Fast forward to modern day where Khassima, a former betrayer of one of God's chosen, saves the life of Achava, the only protector of Israel. Now, Khassima and Achava seek the Crown of Christ. Meanwhile, Sam Godfrey, an archeologist, goes on an international search for Aharon Malka with Anthea, Achava's archrival half-sister. Aharon may be the key to finding the crown. Or, he may just want it for himself.

The ark of God had been holed up in Abinadab's house for many years. But when King David arranged for thousands of people to celebrate seeing it moved back to the center of national life, a man integral to the procession suddenly died and the great procession stopped. What did it signify? Listen to Asaph, a key musician at the time, relate what David did next.

The illegitimate son of the Roman Emperor Tiberius Caesar, Lucius must prove his worth as a captain in Jerusalem in order to win his father’s favor. Instructed to keep the peace during the Passover is proving to be impossible. A man named Jesus had the city in an uproar. All hell had broken loose. Lucius is ordered to scourge an innocent man and lead him to his crucifixion - his only crime? He was said to be the son of God. Doubts begin to cause the veiled resentment to surface, and he wonders what life is really all about. It had to be more than he had experienced.

Step back into New Testament times - to Ancient Palestine 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 insurrection having failed, Barabbas and his men find a cave in which to hide out. But Barabbas, unsatisfied, decides to try robbery. He enlists the help of the two beggars, and they set out to rob rich Benjamin. But Timotheus almost turns back, after seeing the Nazarene. Will he go on to aid in this crime? Will it be successful, or will this also result in disaster?