Biblical Genres

Book five of the Davidic Chronicles continues to follow David's journey to fulfill his anointing and to become king of Israel. Forced to flee to the Philistines with his mighty men and their families, David lives in constant jeopardy, knowing that a single misstep will see him and everyone he loves destroyed. Meanwhile, other forces conspire to use David for their own ends in a bid to conquer Israel and prove that the gods of the Philistines are greater than the God of Israel.

In the time of the Pharaoh, a tiny infant is rescued from the banks of the Red Sea. She is named Zipporah, "the little bird". Although she is a Cushite by birth, one of the black people of the lands to the south, she is taken in by Jethro, high priest and sage of the Midianites. Jethro adores his adopted daughter, and she is an honored member of his family. But the blackness of Zipporah's skin sets her apart and will decide her future.

Book three of the Davidic Chronicles continues to follow David as he becomes a fugitive and outcast. On the run, alone, and pursued by the king, David must struggle to stay alive and find his place among his own people. Hunted by friends and enemies alike, David confronts his own anointing by Samuel and what that means for his future. As he does this, his king continues to fall under the throes of the evil spirit and is driven to kill anyone who stands in his way—men, women, and children. Most of all, in Saul's mind, David must die.

To most, the term “Christian horror” probably seems like an oxymoron. Nevertheless, there are very good arguments to be made that “horror” is an eminently biblical genre and that Christian artists should be at the forefront of reclaiming it. In this work, novelist and freelance writer Mike Duran explores the Judeo-Christian roots of contemporary horror, the religious themes that frame much of the horror art, and how evangelical culture has come to distance itself from such a potentially rich and powerful medium.

Thousands of years ago, just before God flooded the Earth, a man of faith took his family and many animals onto an ark he built in order to survive the coming deluge. Fast forward to modern day where Achava, spiritual guardian of Israel, leads the team on a time travel quest for Noah's ark. Achava is joined by Sam Godfrey, an archaeologist; Anthea, Achava's archrival half-sister; and the newest member of the team, Khassima, a royal dancer who is haunted by her past. Together, the intrepid team uses supernatural forces to travel back to the time of Noah.

The Titus Diary is the story behind the letters to the Thessalonian churches. Reading the letters of Paul is often dry, devoid of context and separated from the story which led to the letters being written. In this account of the apostle Paul's second missionary journey, told through the eyes of Titus, listeners accompany Paul as he travels throughout Asia Minor and Greece. They see his struggles, the persecution and the suffering which Paul and Silas endured to bring the gospel into Europe.

Book four of the Davidic Chronicles continues to follow David’s flight from an enraged King Saul. Hunted and betrayed on every hand, David must seek God's deliverance as he is driven deeper and deeper into the wilderness south of Jerusalem.

An Evening in Ephesus is a Dramatic Commentary on the Book of Revelation. The setting is a house church meeting in Ephesus following John's release from exile on the Island of Patmos. The Jewish-Roman War had ended a year earlier in 70 AD, in which Jerusalem and the temple were completely destroyed, just as Jesus had predicted from the Mount of Olives 40 years earlier.

In order to understand, appreciate, and faithfully preach the word of God, pastors must discern the literary nature of the Bible. Instead of just acknowledging the various genres of Scripture, pastors and teachers should allow these genres to influence how the text is approached and communicated. In The Beauty and Power of Biblical Exposition, they will learn how to both read and preach the Bible as a literary anthology.

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?

Benaiah has joined David's band of outlaws and, in the process, has become a mighty warrior. When David finally comes to the throne of Israel, Benaiah and his family settle down for a life of peace. But little do they know; the true battle is only beginning. The family of Goliath seeks revenge, David's heart is distracted by temptations, and the unity of David's Mighty Men is pushed to its limit. When David does the unthinkable, Benaiah is faced with the fiercest challenge of his life. David is the Lord's anointed, but justice must be done.

After first sharing King Josiah with my friends as a manuscript, they were at the same time impressed and amazed, as several asked me how I was able to write such an intriguing and brilliant novel. The truth is that aside from my knowledge of Josiah as a historical figure, and my willingness to write, I can take very little credit for the story itself as it was not so much a work of my imagination but flowed out from a much deeper place within.

The Gospel According to Judas, by Benjamin Iscariot, sheds new light on the mystery of Judas (including his motives for the betrayal and what happened to him after the crucifixion) by retelling the story of Jesus through the eyes of Judas, using the canonical texts as its basic point of reference. Ostensibly written by Judas' son, Benjamin, and following the narrative style of the Gospels, this re-creation is provocative, compelling, and controversial.

When the tribal elders make marriage a requirement for claiming her land, Milcah bat Zelophehad must find a betrothed straightaway. The only problem in finding a husband is that all her suitors were slain while conquering the land of Canaan. Men avoid her in order to stay alive. After praying to God to send her a bold suitor, a man from her father's clan plummets from a tree right on top of her. Is this God answering prayer or a foolish antic by Eli, the war-scarred brother from one of her clan's rival families?

The Chronicles of Heaven, literary epic, continues its story in Exodus. The escape opens with God calling out to an uncircumcised heathen names Abraham to play his part in the vast tapestry of God's eternal plan. As The Escape unfolds, Christ is shown to be the very center of all that God is doing.

The throne of Israel is in peril. A band of outlaws have pledged their allegiance to King Saul's son-in-law, David. Living in caves and deserts, the men of David try to keep hidden from the ever-vengeful wrath of their king. Meanwhile, in the small village of Kabzeel, Benaiah the priest lives peacefully with his wife and child. Against his wishes, providence continues to place Benaiah in the middle of Saul and David's battle. Rumors begin to spread that David has been chosen by God. Benaiah is told that he must pick a side. But whose side will he choose?

He was known as the Rabbi of Nazareth, although he was born in Bethlehem and his ministry had spread out from Capernaum as the center of it. He was misunderstood in various ways, especially by the religious leaders of the time. He pointed out their hypocrisy while they tried to earn the favor of God though legalism, but at the same time they had very little compassion for the outcasts or others in suffering.

Transcending religious boundaries to offer a deeply human perspective on the life, teachings, and enduring legacy of the revered figure, Gibran brings to life the story of Jesus Chris. He presents a fictionalized account of the life of Jesus Christ, through the eyes of 79 different accounts. A beautiful exploration of Jesus teachings, actions, and the influence he had on those around him.

Simon of Cyrene has long dreamed of celebrating Passover in Jerusalem. Yet the journey of a thousand miles seems impossible: Simon is crippled, and his beloved wife has been ravaged by a debilitating affliction. So when his sons arrange special passage to Jerusalem for Simon and his wife, the couple is overcome with joy and anticipation. It seems that an impossible dream is within reach...but their journey is fraught with unexpected perils, from deadly gales to dangerous thieves.

Based on the book of Acts this is the story of the Apostle Paul's third journey. Told through the eyes of Paul's companion Timothy this is the tale of the journey to Ephesus and Paul's time in the city. Unlike his earlier journeys the third journey is spent mostly in one city where Paul not only raises up a church but trains young men to take on the mission of raising up the next generation of churches after his death. This is also the story of the church in Corinth and Paul's letters to that riotous, chaotic gathering.