When an ancient skeleton is discovered in Israel, will it shed new light on the life of Jesus or plunge the world into chaos?
Dr. Jonathan Weber, Harvard professor and biblical scholar, is looking forward to his sabbatical year on an archaeological dig in Israel. But a spectacular find that seems to be an archaeologist's dream-come-true becomes a nightmare that many fear will be the death rattle of Christianity.
Carefully researched and compellingly written, A Skeleton in God's Closet explores the tension between faith and doubt when science and religion collide. In the end, it's a thought-provoking page-turner, driven by one man's determination to find the truth-no matter the cost.
- Accompanying illustrations are included in the audiobook companion PDF download.
A man claiming to be Jesus is in Rome. Is it the beginning of the end?
Joshua Ben-Yosef attracts a huge following. He was born in Nazareth to parents name Mary and Joseph and speaks more than a dozen languages-fluently and without accent. His words ripple with wisdom and authority. And the crowds that follow him are enthralled as he heals the sick, gives sight to the blind, casts out demons, and even raises the dead.
Is Dr. Merton, the well-known leader and author of end-times books, correct about the return of Christ? It seems everyone is a believer in this "Messiah"-including Jonathan Weber's wife, Shannon-especially when Joshua performs the ultimate sign by raising a disciple from the dead. Plagued by skepticism, Jonathan faces the ultimate challenge in uncovering whether this is the actual return of Christ of the most devious betrayal ever carried out.
- Accompanying illustrations are included in the audiobook companion PDF download.
Award-winning historian and bestselling author Paul L. Maier has created a compelling style of documentary fiction. He uses what is historically known of Pilate's life, adds in the known political climate of first-century Judea, and unveils the colorful, untold story that changed history. He provides intriguing answers to questions such as:
- What really happened at that most famous of trials?
- Were the proceedings against Jesus legal?
- Did cowardice or necessity motivate Pilate's judgment?
- What became of this successful Roman politician after his verdict?
Filling in the details of Pilate's early career in Rome, Maier captures the drama of imperial Rome under Tiberius Caesar, the plotting of his political allies and enemies, and his relationship with his beloved but ambitious wife, Procula. His great moment arrives as he exchanges the intrigues of Rome for the bewildering environment of Judea, navigating new and dangerous waters. In Pontius Pilate, Maier paints a picture for modern readers to help them understand the behind-the-scenes complexities, political and religious realities, and ultimately, the humanity of the people we know from Scripture.
Often called the 'Father of Church History,' Eusebius was the first to trace the rise of Christianity during its crucial first three centuries from Christ to Constantine. Our principal resource for earliest Chrisitianity, The Church History presents a panorama of apostles, church fathers, emperors, bishops, heroes, heretics, confessors, and martyrs.This audiobook edition includes Paul L. Maier's clear and precise translation, historical commentary on each book in The Church History, and numerous maps, illustrations, and photographs. These features promise to liberate Eusebius from previous outdated and stilted works, creating a new standard primary resource for listeners interested in the early history of Christianity.
Dr. Jonathan Weber, Harvard professor and biblical scholar, is looking forward to his sabbatical year on an archaeological dig in Israel. But a spectacular find that seems to be an archaeologist's dream-come-true becomes a nightmare that could be the death rattle of Christianity. Meanwhile, Weber's strong interest in Shannon Jennings, daughter of the dig's director, is an exhilarating complication.Carefully researched and compellingly written, this fast-paced thriller takes you from the dust of an archaeological dig to the laboratories of dedicated scientists to the halls of political and religious power, where world reaction is instant, fierce, and shattering. Moreover, A Skeleton in God's Closet explores the tension between doubt and faith, science and religion, and one man's determination to find the truth—no matter what the cost.
“The man who saved Christianity” - grateful words spoken by millions after Dr. Jonathan Weber revealed the truth about an archaeological dig two years ago.
But Jon isn’t interested in the hype. He’s far more concerned with how people are being misled by prophecy enthusiasts and their bizarre end-times scenarios, particularly the wrong-headed predictions of his nemesis, Melvin Morris Merton.
Still, Jon is a professor, not a crusader. He’s happy with his life of teaching (Harvard and Hebrew University), writing (a best-selling “biography” of Jesus), and research (Near East studies). He’s also a newlywed, deeply in love with his brilliant and beautiful wife, Shannon. Not even an annoying lawsuit from Merton can shake his world.
But Joshua Ben-Yosef can.
This Israeli speaks a dozen languages - fluently and without accent. His words ripple with wisdom and authority, and crowds follow him, enthralled. He heals the sick, gives sight to the blind, casts out demons, and even raises the dead. Once again, Jon is drawn into a hot pursuit of the truth that at times casts him into the very lonely, very dangerous role of one man against the world.
Review the evidence, join the dig near Nazareth that uncovers a first-century mosaic, and find out if three lines of Hebrew could change the course of history.
For centuries, scholars have speculated about a lost book of the Bible. No one has ever found it—until now.
A few pieces of centuries-old parchment tucked inside a tattered book lead famed archaeologist Jonathan Weber and his wife Shannon to what could possibly be the greatest find in church history—a discarded biblical manuscript whose ancient pages reveal a secret that will change the way the world views Scripture.
Is it one of fifty copies commissioned by Constantine the Great and lost for centuries? Or the most sophisticated forgery of all time?
When the manuscript is stolen, Jon is swept into a deadly race to find it and prove its authenticity before it’s lost forever. Everything hangs in the balance—his career, his reputation, even his life—but he’s willing to risk it all in one final daring attempt to determine the truth.
“Just a few pages into it I was hooked. Maier is that rare combination of masterful storyteller and historian. A brilliant use of the power of story to excite and educate. Bravo!”
-Hank Hanegraaff, president of the Christian Research Institute and host of the Bible Answer Man broadcast
Dr. Jonathan Weber, Harvard professor and biblical scholar, is looking forward to his sabbatical year on an archaeological dig in Israel. But a spectacular find that seems to be an archaeologist's dream-come-true becomes a nightmare that could be the death rattle of Christianity. Meanwhile, Weber's strong interest in Shannon Jennings, daughter of the dig's director, is an exhilarating complication. Carefully researched and compellingly written, this fast-paced thriller takes you from the dust of an archaeological dig to the laboratories of dedicated scientists to the halls of political and religious power, where world reaction is instant, fierce, and shattering. Moreover, A Skeleton in God's Closet explores the tension between doubt and faith, science and religion, and one man's determination to find the truth - no matter what the cost.
"The man who saved Christianity" - grateful words spoken by millions after Dr. Jonathan Weber revealed the truth about an archaeological dig two years ago. But Jon isn't interested in the hype. He's far more concerned with how people are being misled by prophecy enthusiasts and their bizarre end-times scenarios, particularly the wrong-headed predictions of his nemesis, Melvin Morris Merton. Still, Jon is a professor, not a crusader. He's happy with his life of teaching (Harvard and Hebrew University), writing (a best-selling "biography" of Jesus), and research (Near East studies). He's also a newlywed, deeply in love with his brilliant and beautiful wife, Shannon. Not even an annoying lawsuit from Merton can shake his world. But Joshua Ben-Yosef can. This Israeli speaks a dozen languages - fluently and without accent. His words ripple with wisdom and authority, and crowds follow him, enthralled. He heals the sick, gives sight to the blind, casts out demons, and even raises the dead. Once again, Jon is drawn into a hot pursuit of the truth that at times casts him into the very lonely, very dangerous role of one man against the world. Review the evidence, join the dig near Nazareth that uncovers a first-century mosaic, and find out if three lines of Hebrew could change the course of history.
