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Zion Legacy #4
The Jerusalem Scrolls
In The Jerusalem Scrolls, bestselling authors Bodie and Brock Thoene take the story back in time from the battle for Jerusalem in 1948 to tell an ancient tale of love, faith, and redemption. After days of brutal fighting against Arab forces, Moshe Sachar, the courageous leader of the Israelis, escapes to a tunnel under the Old City and discovers sacred scrolls that tell the history of his faith and people. Opening a scroll, Moshe becomes immersed in the extraordinary story from the first century A.D. of Miryam, a beautiful yet troubled young widow, and Marcus, her Roman suitor. With stirring accounts of many events and characters from the Bible, The Jerusalem Scrolls combines wonderful storytelling with a captivating historical setting.
269 pages, Paperback
First published October 15, 2001
2 people are currently reading
529 people want to read
About the author
Bodie Thoene
203 books1,365 followersBODIE AND BROCK THOENE (pronounced Tay-nee) have written over 45 works of historical fiction. These best sellers have sold more than 10 million copies and won eight ECPA Gold Medallion Awards.
Bodie began her writing career as a teen journalist for her local newspaper. Eventually her byline appeared in prestigious periodicals such as U.S. News and World Report, The American West, and The Saturday Evening Post. She also worked for John Wayne’s Batjac Productions (she’s best known as author of The Fall Guy) and ABC Circle Films as a writer and researcher. John Wayne described her as “a writer with talent that captures the people and the times!” She has degrees in journalism and communications.
Bodie and Brock have four grown children—Rachel, Jake Thoene, Luke Thoene, and Ellie—and five grandchildren. Their sons, Jake and Luke, are carrying on the Thoene family talent as the next generation of writers, and Luke produces the Thoene audiobooks.
Bodie and Brock divide their time between London and Nevada.
Bodie began her writing career as a teen journalist for her local newspaper. Eventually her byline appeared in prestigious periodicals such as U.S. News and World Report, The American West, and The Saturday Evening Post. She also worked for John Wayne’s Batjac Productions (she’s best known as author of The Fall Guy) and ABC Circle Films as a writer and researcher. John Wayne described her as “a writer with talent that captures the people and the times!” She has degrees in journalism and communications.
Bodie and Brock have four grown children—Rachel, Jake Thoene, Luke Thoene, and Ellie—and five grandchildren. Their sons, Jake and Luke, are carrying on the Thoene family talent as the next generation of writers, and Luke produces the Thoene audiobooks.
Bodie and Brock divide their time between London and Nevada.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
October 5, 2013
This was good but I really don't like the "story within a story" format. I've been left with a cliffhanger regarding the story was being told, as this book and apparently the next two, are the start of a new series called the A.D. Chronicles. Good but kind of disappointing.
January 25, 2013
A review from my old blog...
This book takes place primarily during the time of Jesus. Moshe Sachar is underground hiding during a very dark time for the new Jewish state and has been directed to read these ancient scrolls that have been preserved for hundreds or thousands of years by his wife's grandfather.
One minor note on that front. For the most part I have not been able to discern major mistakes by the Thoene's but in the prologue both Moshe and Alfie refer to Rebbe Lebowitz (Moshe's grandfather-in-law) as Rebbe Lubetkin which was Rachel's name before she married Moshe. Now, this was probably just an editorial mistake but one that I couldn't get around for the most part. I mean, obviously if Rachel's mother was Rebbe Lebowitz's daughter, the last name is not going to be the same. I realize as I type this that all of this information may go over most everyone else's head so I will leave off there.
I have to say that after having read Magdalene by Angela Hunt I was faced with the difficult task of seeing this Miyram of Magdala as a different kind of character. Obviously the two characters are completely different. I happen to prefer Angela Hunt's interpretation of the character which slightly soured my own perspective on the majority of the text.
In an interesting way though I was intrigued to see how two different authors can approach the same Biblical character and come up with such different interpretations. I admire that actually. For the sake of the understanding of the reader though it is a little difficult. :D
The characters in these books are connected and further developed in the most recent series by the Thoene's "The First Light Chronicles", the series that really turned me onto the Thoene's to begin with. I love seeing how the characters connect and even how Moshe connects to the modern character in the beginning of the First Light Chronicles books.
Even though there were minor things that distracted me I did enjoy the book. I enjoy anything from that time period and that area of the world. When the book is written by a good author such as one can find in the Thoene's, I can't really ask for more.
This book takes place primarily during the time of Jesus. Moshe Sachar is underground hiding during a very dark time for the new Jewish state and has been directed to read these ancient scrolls that have been preserved for hundreds or thousands of years by his wife's grandfather.
One minor note on that front. For the most part I have not been able to discern major mistakes by the Thoene's but in the prologue both Moshe and Alfie refer to Rebbe Lebowitz (Moshe's grandfather-in-law) as Rebbe Lubetkin which was Rachel's name before she married Moshe. Now, this was probably just an editorial mistake but one that I couldn't get around for the most part. I mean, obviously if Rachel's mother was Rebbe Lebowitz's daughter, the last name is not going to be the same. I realize as I type this that all of this information may go over most everyone else's head so I will leave off there.
I have to say that after having read Magdalene by Angela Hunt I was faced with the difficult task of seeing this Miyram of Magdala as a different kind of character. Obviously the two characters are completely different. I happen to prefer Angela Hunt's interpretation of the character which slightly soured my own perspective on the majority of the text.
In an interesting way though I was intrigued to see how two different authors can approach the same Biblical character and come up with such different interpretations. I admire that actually. For the sake of the understanding of the reader though it is a little difficult. :D
The characters in these books are connected and further developed in the most recent series by the Thoene's "The First Light Chronicles", the series that really turned me onto the Thoene's to begin with. I love seeing how the characters connect and even how Moshe connects to the modern character in the beginning of the First Light Chronicles books.
Even though there were minor things that distracted me I did enjoy the book. I enjoy anything from that time period and that area of the world. When the book is written by a good author such as one can find in the Thoene's, I can't really ask for more.
September 26, 2013
What can I say,? it left me wanting more, I really feel like I lost a love one. It Started out in Jeruselum 1948, and then to Jeruselum when Jesus Christ whalked and preached. Its centered on two Characters, Miryam, "a beautiful woman yet troubled young widow' with very loose Morals, and Marcus "her Roman Suitor." Theirs is a love,Hate,love relationship; both trying to find themselves.
An outcast of her own people, who is dead to her people; whose mother committed suicide when she was a young girl which tramatized until she found peace; Marcus Quintas longinus, a Roman Centurion winner of the highest award (Corona Osidionalis) that could be awarded a Roman soldier, Trying to remain loyal to his oath to Caesar and his attraction to Myrian and the teaching of Christ. Read this book and go on an incredible journey, share their heartaches, their triumphs and their sorrows and their love.
An outcast of her own people, who is dead to her people; whose mother committed suicide when she was a young girl which tramatized until she found peace; Marcus Quintas longinus, a Roman Centurion winner of the highest award (Corona Osidionalis) that could be awarded a Roman soldier, Trying to remain loyal to his oath to Caesar and his attraction to Myrian and the teaching of Christ. Read this book and go on an incredible journey, share their heartaches, their triumphs and their sorrows and their love.
June 1, 2025
In reading “Jerusalem Scrolls” you walk with Jesus and New Testament Bible stories. A very vivid description of Bible times.
February 16, 2024
As this is the fourth book in the Zion Legacy series, the story takes up where I left off with the time period of May 1948, in the infancy of Israel.
There have been more struggles than I can follow in the series, as the Jewish settlers are surrounded by so many enemies.
I marvel at the ability of the Thoenes’ skill of story telling to put the reader comfortably into the places and times of the story.
Seriously, I feel like I’m right next to the characters as they’re battling to save Jerusalem.
Here’s the interesting part; there’s a biblical story brought to life within this fourth novel. And now those biblical characters become part of the current day Israel.
What I like best about this book is acquiring a clearer understanding of how life for Jewish people has always been a struggle, yet their faith in the one true God gives them real Hope.
There have been more struggles than I can follow in the series, as the Jewish settlers are surrounded by so many enemies.
I marvel at the ability of the Thoenes’ skill of story telling to put the reader comfortably into the places and times of the story.
Seriously, I feel like I’m right next to the characters as they’re battling to save Jerusalem.
Here’s the interesting part; there’s a biblical story brought to life within this fourth novel. And now those biblical characters become part of the current day Israel.
What I like best about this book is acquiring a clearer understanding of how life for Jewish people has always been a struggle, yet their faith in the one true God gives them real Hope.
December 15, 2019
This writing duo really brings the stories of the Bible to life! With their creativity and insight, they weave small stories and snippets from the gospels into this beautiful larger tapestry that highlights the grace and mercy of Jesus. I am not one to re-read books, but this is my second time to read this one and it didn’t disappoint.
August 6, 2017
The Bible verse about the one without sin can cast the first stone at the woman guilty of adultery... it has a depth of meaning when one reads this story of the people behind the briefly described incident.
October 27, 2021
I appreciate the insights these fictional Biblical stories give. It could have been, it might have been. I love the descriptions of the day to day life and the culture of Biblical times. It seems these authors do their homework. I enjoy reading this series.
February 17, 2023
I loved this story; I just wish that they would have stuck with the 1948 storyline. Please don't turn this into a conversion tale? My interest was grabbed by the Zionist' story of the new beginnings of Israel; I hope it continues.
December 27, 2022
Had a hard time getting into this story - it was so different; but finally, it grabbed me and pulled me in. Fantastic story.
August 7, 2023
I would have given this book 4 stars, for interesting plot and creativity, but I did not appreciate the containment of “soft porn”. Miryam is an adulterous woman and a mistress, yes, but there are a few “scenes” and descriptions that were just unneeded.
Except for those objections, the book was an interesting take on Mary Magdalene.
Except for those objections, the book was an interesting take on Mary Magdalene.
July 9, 2014
What an amazing story of the full range of human emotion and the search for true love by two people with very different stories. This may the best book I've read by the Thoenes! As each character deals with the demons of their past and the horrors that plague them in the present, they each come to similar conclusions in their own ways and in their own time just as we all do. The depth of understanding about how we let our past define us and how difficult or impossible it may be to let go of the past and who we've become is incredible and speaks to the heart and soul of the human condition. Thankfully, there is salvation!
March 1, 2014
The story begins in the 20th century as Jerusalem is being overrun and goes back to the first century via the writings found on underground scrolls which have been preserved beneath the temple mount. The book tells of happenings that are found in the christian gospel from the perspective of a roman centurion and a jewish harlot.
January 31, 2017
So glad I continued with this series, this book has very little, in fact almost nothing to do with the previous 3, it goes back in time to Jesus's days on earth, and is a fictional account of Mary Magdalene's life and back story and her encounters with Jesus. Some parts were obviously predictable, and you knew what was coming, but I really enjoyed this even better than the previous 3 books!
March 18, 2008
I have always like the Thoene's writing, but this one captivated me more than the rest of the series b/c it had more historical and less fiction than the other Zion Legacy books. Truth is fascinating.
January 6, 2012
Great historical retelling of the beginning of Statehood of Israel, good characterisations and authentic Messianic Jewish culture. I also liked that it was fair about the different peoples/cultures/religions involved, even though the book was told from the (Messianic) Jewish perspective.
September 29, 2013
Quite a stretch, to imagine Mary Magdalene as the sister of Martha and Lazarus and Mark as The Centurion. Of course I know this is fiction, and pretty great fiction at that, but I wonder why they did this? Just so strange.
March 8, 2014
The focus shirts from 1948 to 1st Century Israel for this moving story of Jesus's mercy and grace.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
July 3, 2015
For those who love the Bible, this would be an excellent book to read. It is about the time of Jesus, but from the Roman Centurions viewpoint and a certain woman of ill repute. The style of writing encourages you to read on and on.
July 7, 2008
Had a hard time getting into it, but really enjoyed the story once I got started. Worth the read!
November 10, 2010
Once you know the Bible story, this series is a good addition - they put you right there at the time and in the place. Very enlightening - but remember, they are novels not history.
June 15, 2011
The beginning of the story that became the series, "A.D. Chronicles". The story of Marcus and Miriam.
April 22, 2013
Great read!
September 28, 2012
Loved this!
July 14, 2014
One of the best books in the series so far. Such a good job of showing the reality of events in those times.
November 13, 2014
My heart is full
Read
November 1, 2015actually large print, but will keep with regular print to complete the set
September 12, 2015
Amazing, outstanding, wonderful, epic. I love the Thoenes.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews