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Barabbas #2
Pillars of Barabbas
The man they called Barabbas has come a long way from the wretched prisoner released by Pontius Pilate in lieu of Jesus of Nazareth. He and his wife Chanah are growing in regard among the leadership of Christ's fledgling church, which is expanding and thriving.
But increasing Christian influence breeds jealousy among several Roman governors and senators. How will Emperor Nero react? Can the apostle Paul soothe the moody young ruler and help the valiant Roman saints continue to spread the Word?
The Parthian Empire also poses threats, including in Eastern Africa, where the former centurion Cornelius has become a prominent Christian leader. Will the Christians need to flee, or must they fight both the Romans and the Parthians?
But increasing Christian influence breeds jealousy among several Roman governors and senators. How will Emperor Nero react? Can the apostle Paul soothe the moody young ruler and help the valiant Roman saints continue to spread the Word?
The Parthian Empire also poses threats, including in Eastern Africa, where the former centurion Cornelius has become a prominent Christian leader. Will the Christians need to flee, or must they fight both the Romans and the Parthians?
358 pages, Paperback
First published March 10, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
May 24, 2021
Pillars of Barabbas: Book two is just as good as book 1. I liked this version of Nero, and felt compassion for him- Something I never would have imagined.
The intensity and passion of these early Christians, truly on a mission to change the world is both inspiring and convicting, for an average 21st century believer, too consumed with daily life to get involved.
It was fascinating, seeing how seriously the business of faith was conducted.
Cornelius and the adventures in the heart of Africa was one of my favorite things about the story. And Barabbas coming to grips with his past and future, putting aside his fears and failures.
If you're looking for something to encourage your faith, inspire you to listen and follow God, try this series!
*I received a copy of this book from the author, and chose to review it here. All thoughts are my own.
The intensity and passion of these early Christians, truly on a mission to change the world is both inspiring and convicting, for an average 21st century believer, too consumed with daily life to get involved.
It was fascinating, seeing how seriously the business of faith was conducted.
Cornelius and the adventures in the heart of Africa was one of my favorite things about the story. And Barabbas coming to grips with his past and future, putting aside his fears and failures.
If you're looking for something to encourage your faith, inspire you to listen and follow God, try this series!
*I received a copy of this book from the author, and chose to review it here. All thoughts are my own.
September 4, 2024
Bittersweet is the best word I have for this sequel. It was comforting, even encouraging, to see Barabbas living a life filled with faith and devotion. To see his family growing. To see him lead and interact with other leaders.
The bitter is having him present for a martyrdom. After helping one apostle escape the prisons of Rome only to see another die at their hands and know he couldn't stop this one.
Given the period I could have seen that coming, but it was adjacent to the story and not the focus. I was wrapped up in the progression of everyone else that I missed the signs of other events in progress. That stands as a testament to the author's writing skill.
I spent nearly a week ruminating on this book, wondering how I could best describe it. The first was moving in a different way. My thoughts flowed and my reaction was instant. This one needed to marinate.
Two final thoughts come to mind. In a recent General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints a leader pointed out that for every miraculous deliverance of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego there was an Abinadi who gave their life.
Second, some of my favorite chocolate chip cookies call for semisweet chocolate chips. Not milk chocolate, but mildly sweet, mildly bitter. Some time to digest and to expose this book to other stories will make some really nice chocolate chip cookie kinds of thoughts.
The bitter is having him present for a martyrdom. After helping one apostle escape the prisons of Rome only to see another die at their hands and know he couldn't stop this one.
Given the period I could have seen that coming, but it was adjacent to the story and not the focus. I was wrapped up in the progression of everyone else that I missed the signs of other events in progress. That stands as a testament to the author's writing skill.
I spent nearly a week ruminating on this book, wondering how I could best describe it. The first was moving in a different way. My thoughts flowed and my reaction was instant. This one needed to marinate.
Two final thoughts come to mind. In a recent General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints a leader pointed out that for every miraculous deliverance of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego there was an Abinadi who gave their life.
Second, some of my favorite chocolate chip cookies call for semisweet chocolate chips. Not milk chocolate, but mildly sweet, mildly bitter. Some time to digest and to expose this book to other stories will make some really nice chocolate chip cookie kinds of thoughts.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 24, 2021
This is the second novel in a series but reads well on its own. House has done a great deal of research to create a novel reflecting a possible situation for the early church. The events in the novel take place about thirty years after the crucifixion. We see how early church leaders were chosen and directed by God. Paul preaches sermons and has various experiences that generally follow what we know from the New Testament. The strength of this novel is the setting with great descriptions of buildings, travel, communication, etc. In fact, when House described the dwelling of a Roman senator as having glass windows, I had to make sure that Romans did, in fact, have window glass by that time. House does a good job of describing the tension between Jews and those of their religion who converted to Christianity.
There are some aspects of the novel that I found a little surprising, however. Paul is portrayed as being instrumental is establishing a building, center for the church in Rome. It is described as a “sacred temple” (75) and a Christian temple. (134) We are told there are temples being built by Christians in many cities. My understanding is that archaeological evidence shows Christians did not begin to construct buildings for worship until the end of the third century, meeting in homes before that. So I don't understand where the idea that Christians were constructing “temples” in the first century comes from.
One potential problem with biblical fiction is putting words in the mouth of a biblical character that is not recorded in the Bible and is not even an extension of what the person is recorded as saying in the Bible. House has done that in this novel. Paul tells Nero that he would be taught directly “by the Spirit of God, speaking to your spirit, which once dwelt with him in the heavens.” (73) Barabbas' wife at one point wonders who of those she met she had known intimately before her mortal life. (86) Paul says seekers of truth may not find the fullness of truth in this life, “...if not they will find it in the next life.” (72) Cornelius comments to another that God “remembers what you learned before you came here to earth, the promises you made.” (126) Evangelical Christians will definitely have a problem with the concept of relationships, experiences and promises prior to earthly life while Mormons may embrace it.
This is a good novel reflecting the situation of the early church about three decades after the crucifixion. I would caution readers to pay attention to concepts presented in the novel that do not reflect the beliefs of evangelical Christians.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this book through a publicity agent. My comments are an independent and honest review.
There are some aspects of the novel that I found a little surprising, however. Paul is portrayed as being instrumental is establishing a building, center for the church in Rome. It is described as a “sacred temple” (75) and a Christian temple. (134) We are told there are temples being built by Christians in many cities. My understanding is that archaeological evidence shows Christians did not begin to construct buildings for worship until the end of the third century, meeting in homes before that. So I don't understand where the idea that Christians were constructing “temples” in the first century comes from.
One potential problem with biblical fiction is putting words in the mouth of a biblical character that is not recorded in the Bible and is not even an extension of what the person is recorded as saying in the Bible. House has done that in this novel. Paul tells Nero that he would be taught directly “by the Spirit of God, speaking to your spirit, which once dwelt with him in the heavens.” (73) Barabbas' wife at one point wonders who of those she met she had known intimately before her mortal life. (86) Paul says seekers of truth may not find the fullness of truth in this life, “...if not they will find it in the next life.” (72) Cornelius comments to another that God “remembers what you learned before you came here to earth, the promises you made.” (126) Evangelical Christians will definitely have a problem with the concept of relationships, experiences and promises prior to earthly life while Mormons may embrace it.
This is a good novel reflecting the situation of the early church about three decades after the crucifixion. I would caution readers to pay attention to concepts presented in the novel that do not reflect the beliefs of evangelical Christians.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this book through a publicity agent. My comments are an independent and honest review.
April 30, 2021
I was privileged to review I Was Called Barabbas, the first book in M. D. House's Barabbas Trilogy, so when Pillars of Barabbas came up for review, I jumped on it. House continues the tale of what Barabbas' life may have looked like in fine fashion.
The novel is set about thirty years after the Crucifixion. Barabbas has continued to be involved in the church, and now holds the title of bishop. He and Chanah are sent back to Rome to oversee the building of a Christian temple there.
It's clear that House did his research on the time period. The descriptions of houses, of the tensions between Rome and Parthia, of the political maneuvering and the dislike that some leaders had for the growing Christian faith, all seemed spot on.
The events described generally track pretty well with Scripture. The ones that don't, I figured it's because they aren't included there. That's the beauty of historical fiction. The author has the ability to flesh out what he thinks might have happened. The fact that Barabbas and Chanah were sent to build a temple threw me a bit, as it was my understanding that the early church met in small groups in homes, and that physical structures dedicated to worship didn't come until later in time. That didn't really detract from my enjoyment of the story, though.
This was just a fun story to contemplate. On a bare reading of Scripture, we don't learn much about Barabbas other than that he was released and Jesus was crucified instead. I'd bet most of us don't really stop to think about how that event might have impacted Barabbas. Could he have continued with his life as a miscreant? Possibly. But I like to think that Jesus' willingness to die in Barabbas' place sent Barabbas home a changed man. That's why I enjoy House's writing so much. It makes my heart happy to think of Barabbas turning from his life of crime and going on to do mighty work for the Kingdom, and to raise his children to do likewise.
I enjoyed the inclusion of Barabbas and Chanah's children in the story. It's exciting to see them grow up and start to move out into their own lives, their own work. I hope to see more of them in the third book of the trilogy.
The novel is set about thirty years after the Crucifixion. Barabbas has continued to be involved in the church, and now holds the title of bishop. He and Chanah are sent back to Rome to oversee the building of a Christian temple there.
It's clear that House did his research on the time period. The descriptions of houses, of the tensions between Rome and Parthia, of the political maneuvering and the dislike that some leaders had for the growing Christian faith, all seemed spot on.
The events described generally track pretty well with Scripture. The ones that don't, I figured it's because they aren't included there. That's the beauty of historical fiction. The author has the ability to flesh out what he thinks might have happened. The fact that Barabbas and Chanah were sent to build a temple threw me a bit, as it was my understanding that the early church met in small groups in homes, and that physical structures dedicated to worship didn't come until later in time. That didn't really detract from my enjoyment of the story, though.
This was just a fun story to contemplate. On a bare reading of Scripture, we don't learn much about Barabbas other than that he was released and Jesus was crucified instead. I'd bet most of us don't really stop to think about how that event might have impacted Barabbas. Could he have continued with his life as a miscreant? Possibly. But I like to think that Jesus' willingness to die in Barabbas' place sent Barabbas home a changed man. That's why I enjoy House's writing so much. It makes my heart happy to think of Barabbas turning from his life of crime and going on to do mighty work for the Kingdom, and to raise his children to do likewise.
I enjoyed the inclusion of Barabbas and Chanah's children in the story. It's exciting to see them grow up and start to move out into their own lives, their own work. I hope to see more of them in the third book of the trilogy.
May 27, 2021
I’m sure readers of the Bible sometimes wonder what happened next. Was that prophecy fulfilled? Did that tax collector or that prostitute manage to start a new, upright life? What became of the healed cripple?
M.D. House has invested much creative fantasy in developing the life stories of several New Testament characters – some prominent, like the Apostles Peter and Paul; some less so, such as Joanna, Cornelius and the eponymous renegade Barabbas.
We learn how the early Church reached out to both Jews and Pagans, explaining and demonstrating the teachings of Jesus, how it grew and spread to Africa, Armenia, India and even the wilds of Britannia.
Faithful Barabbas and his deeply spiritual wife Chanah play the leading roles in this multi-faceted narrative. Summoned by the Church leaders to Jerusalem from their home on Malta, they are surprised to find themselves abruptly sent to Rome to supervise the building of the Temple there, and assist Paul in his dealings with the rather insecure and perturbed Emperor Nero.
Meanwhile, their son Matthew joins Cornelius in the heart of Africa, initially with a view to developing trade routes, but soon to become involved in both pioneering missionary and dramatic military activities.
The climax of the book develops after Rome is ravaged by massive fires, for which some Senators blame the expanding Christian community. Peter arrives to dedicate the completed Temple, Paul is imprisoned and subsequently released with the help of the mysterious ‘mooring stone’.
Whether hastening through the streets of Rome for an audience with the Emperor, sailing to Joppa to meet the Church leaders, trekking through the hostile African jungle, or sharing a time of fellowship among believers, the author sets the scenes with great skill and realism. All the main characters are richly developed and the plot is mostly plausible. This book – the second of a trilogy about Barabbas – is primarily of interest to readers familiar with the New Testament story. It could be seen as a vivid continuation of the Acts of the Apostles.
M.D. House has invested much creative fantasy in developing the life stories of several New Testament characters – some prominent, like the Apostles Peter and Paul; some less so, such as Joanna, Cornelius and the eponymous renegade Barabbas.
We learn how the early Church reached out to both Jews and Pagans, explaining and demonstrating the teachings of Jesus, how it grew and spread to Africa, Armenia, India and even the wilds of Britannia.
Faithful Barabbas and his deeply spiritual wife Chanah play the leading roles in this multi-faceted narrative. Summoned by the Church leaders to Jerusalem from their home on Malta, they are surprised to find themselves abruptly sent to Rome to supervise the building of the Temple there, and assist Paul in his dealings with the rather insecure and perturbed Emperor Nero.
Meanwhile, their son Matthew joins Cornelius in the heart of Africa, initially with a view to developing trade routes, but soon to become involved in both pioneering missionary and dramatic military activities.
The climax of the book develops after Rome is ravaged by massive fires, for which some Senators blame the expanding Christian community. Peter arrives to dedicate the completed Temple, Paul is imprisoned and subsequently released with the help of the mysterious ‘mooring stone’.
Whether hastening through the streets of Rome for an audience with the Emperor, sailing to Joppa to meet the Church leaders, trekking through the hostile African jungle, or sharing a time of fellowship among believers, the author sets the scenes with great skill and realism. All the main characters are richly developed and the plot is mostly plausible. This book – the second of a trilogy about Barabbas – is primarily of interest to readers familiar with the New Testament story. It could be seen as a vivid continuation of the Acts of the Apostles.
August 25, 2021
Excellent!!!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews