Cross Roads

CROSS ROADS is the sequel to CROSS PURPOSES-the Memoirs of a Palace Peasant. The book is presented as a historical novel, flowing on from the basically true story of Manaen "who grew up with Herod", as stated in Acts 13:1. In the sequel, Manaen is introduced as being one of the leaders of the Community of Faith in Antioch, Syria, where this fellowship was first called Christians. Manaen records his experiences-and that of his wife, Maryam, half-sister to Herod Antipas-as a teacher of Hebrew Heritage where the Messiah is recognised as Yeshua-Jesus Cross Purposes had, in effect, presented the Gospel in a new way. Cross Roads now undertakes to present a unique account of the formation of the Christian Church, as a feasible storyline encapsulating Manaen's integral part in this truly remarkable story. The theological component-including Ancient Hebrew, Grief Counselling, the Scope of Prayer, Paul's letters, for example-provides Biblical students with sound Scriptural input. As the story proceeds, Manaen adds "body" to such intriguing characters as John Mark, Onesimus, Lydia and, on the darker side of the accounting, Felix, Festus, King Agrippa and Nero. This book provides a new insight into the daily lives of Biblical characters who, via Manaen's Memoirs, become known and appreciated as integral to the formation of the New Testament.