What do you think?
Rate this book
Forbidden Gates
Alternate cover edition of ISBN 978-1591668534
Forbidden Gates is historical fiction by Denise Williamson, set in Jerusalem in the first century. This Christian fiction book tells the story of Nathan, the son of a temple money-changer. Nathan knows the laws of God’s house, and he has never questioned the rules. But when Dorian, a young Gentile, asks to meet with God, Nathan decides to take him into the temple, a forbidden act that defiles the temple on the eve of the Feast of the Harvest. Nathan is caught not only in the center of a growing conflict between temple officials and the disciples of the recently crucified Jesus but also in his own struggle to find real truth.
Forbidden Gates is historical fiction by Denise Williamson, set in Jerusalem in the first century. This Christian fiction book tells the story of Nathan, the son of a temple money-changer. Nathan knows the laws of God’s house, and he has never questioned the rules. But when Dorian, a young Gentile, asks to meet with God, Nathan decides to take him into the temple, a forbidden act that defiles the temple on the eve of the Feast of the Harvest. Nathan is caught not only in the center of a growing conflict between temple officials and the disciples of the recently crucified Jesus but also in his own struggle to find real truth.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
98 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2008
1 person is currently reading
32 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
January 15, 2018
Forbidden Gates is by Denise J. Williamson.
I read this for school. It was a short book that I probably could have read in a couple of hours if I had been reading it for fun. Although I thought the plot and setting very interesting, I couldn't relate to any of the characters. I didn't particularly like Nathan, Benjamin, or Dorian.
The end was a little better then the rest of the book, though. It was a good fictionalized account of Stephen's martyrdom -- I think I heard somewhere he was the first martyr of the Christian faith. I actually felt sad while reading it. I also found the mention of Saul at the very end interesting.
For my first Biblical fiction book, this wasn't very good. I think the writing and personality of the main characters could have been much better. It seemed like an accurate representation of the Bible story, however. I just wasn't a big fan of the rest of the story.
2.5 stars out of 5.
I read this for school. It was a short book that I probably could have read in a couple of hours if I had been reading it for fun. Although I thought the plot and setting very interesting, I couldn't relate to any of the characters. I didn't particularly like Nathan, Benjamin, or Dorian.
The end was a little better then the rest of the book, though. It was a good fictionalized account of Stephen's martyrdom -- I think I heard somewhere he was the first martyr of the Christian faith. I actually felt sad while reading it. I also found the mention of Saul at the very end interesting.
For my first Biblical fiction book, this wasn't very good. I think the writing and personality of the main characters could have been much better. It seemed like an accurate representation of the Bible story, however. I just wasn't a big fan of the rest of the story.
2.5 stars out of 5.
September 27, 2024
Forbidden Gates is a fictional story based around the life of Stephen the Martyr as well as the disciples Andrew, Peter, James, and John after Jesus’ ascension.
Nathan, a good Jewish boy in training to be a money changer like his father, meets a Gentile boy about his age named Dorian. Dorian wants to know what’s so special about the area of the Temple where only Jewish men are allowed to go. Dorian wants to know if the Jewish God is the one true God is the God of the Gentiles as well. As Nathan sneaks Dorian in as a Jewish boy, they cause a scandal. As the scandal unfolds, they learn about Jesus and meet his disciples.
This is a short read which gives a glimpse into what life might have looked like for new believers after Jesus ascended.
I own this book and this is my honest and unbiased review.
Nathan, a good Jewish boy in training to be a money changer like his father, meets a Gentile boy about his age named Dorian. Dorian wants to know what’s so special about the area of the Temple where only Jewish men are allowed to go. Dorian wants to know if the Jewish God is the one true God is the God of the Gentiles as well. As Nathan sneaks Dorian in as a Jewish boy, they cause a scandal. As the scandal unfolds, they learn about Jesus and meet his disciples.
This is a short read which gives a glimpse into what life might have looked like for new believers after Jesus ascended.
I own this book and this is my honest and unbiased review.
December 4, 2018
Read with my 10.5, 8 and 5.5 year olds, recommended with homeschool curriculum Heart of Dakota.
Wonderful Biblical fiction account based in Acts 4 and 5 with Steven. They enjoyed it and we had some great conversations.
Wonderful Biblical fiction account based in Acts 4 and 5 with Steven. They enjoyed it and we had some great conversations.
January 21, 2018
I would recomend this book to my friends because I learned something about a young person’s life as a Jew & a Christian in the time after Jesus.
April 27, 2021
While I love that this book wraps its story around the Biblical account of Stephen and his stoning (Acts), I found the story and simple style to drag a bit.
December 12, 2021
Recommended for 6th grade class. Preread it for the purpose of teaching. I think it will work.
August 22, 2022
Great read aloud! Really captured the culture of 1st century Jerusalem. Inspiring from a Christian P.O.V. (Read as part of Heart of Dakota homeschool curriculum).
August 29, 2022
We loved this story!
November 19, 2025
Really enjoyed this as a read aloud for homeschool with my 6th grader.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews