Biblical Genres

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?

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.

Joseph ben Joseph's family fractures after Jesus' crucifixion and his mother's choice to stay with his brother's followers, despite the looming threat of death. Joseph's older brother, claiming to have seen Jesus alive, insists on remaining in Jerusalem to join the disciples. But Joseph, not being the patriarch, is powerless to lead the family back to the safety of Nazareth.

Only one person understands Noah’s gifts with the animals — Jeremiah, the mute shepherd who has been her field companion for years. After the walls of Jericho collapse, God stays silent in the battle of Ai, leaving Jeremiah wounded and Noah’s marital status in jeopardy. But Noah remains faithful to God and her animals and trusts that she will be able to forge a future with her sisters, even when enemies abound. Will the daughters of Zelophehad be able to settle their land together, or will Noah get left behind, trapped in the tent of a troublemaker?

With her trademark wisdom and humor, Anita Diamant ( The Red Tent) considers the nature, strength, and necessity of adult female friendship. Good Harbor examines the tragedy of loss, the insidious nature of family secrets, and the redemptive power of friendship.

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.

Britt Wolfe has it all. Fame, fortune, and a fulfilling career as the front man for one of the most popular rock bands in the world. But he also has a vengeful stalker, bent on ruining him in the most painful ways possible. What starts as harmless pranks quickly turns serious as acts of sabotage almost take his life.

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.

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.

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.

In The First Christmas, Stephen Mitchell brings the Nativity story to vivid life as never before. A narrative that is only sketched out in two Gospels becomes fully realized here with nuanced characters and a setting that reflects the culture of the time. Mitchell has suffused the birth of Jesus with a sense of beauty that will delight and astonish listeners.

Sofia, Angel, and their friends end up in Ancient Egypt, where they learn about God's purpose to free the Israelites. They decide to help Moses, God's servant, free the enslaved Israelites. Angel and Sofia soon realize that they have been together for over three years, and Angel finally proposes to Sofia, asking her to marry him. They have always talked about getting married and even starting their own family. Sofia and Angel will always be together because their love for each other will overcome any possible obstacle in their way.

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.

In the second Babylon Rising novel, Biblical scholar, archaeologist, professor, and hero for our times Michael Murphy is in pursuit of one of the most mysterious and sought-after of all Biblical artifacts, Noah's Ark. As Murphy undertakes his death-defying quest to ascend Mount Ararat, he will discover dramatic revelations of Biblical prophecies and be drawn even closer to the most terrifying evil about to be unleashed on all mankind.

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.

When an Orthodox Jew is found shot to death in Montreal, Temperance Brennan is called in to examine the body and to figure out the puzzling damage to the corpse. Unexpectedly, a stranger slips her a photograph of a skeleton and assures her the picture is the key to the victim's death. Before she knows it, Tempe is involved in an international mystery as old as Jesus, a mystery that could rewrite 2000 years of religious history.

The wind makes him shiver. To warm himself he moves briskly, walks the perimeter of the roof. And he sees her. She is like a night shade. She wears a robe that shimmers like dragonfly wings in the moonlight. He is mesmerized. He walks away. Goes back to bed. Sleep is hopeless. He calls a servant.

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.

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.

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?