THE DAMASCUS WAY
JANETTE OKE & DAVIS BUNN
The story begins in Tiberius in the year 40 A.D. Julia is the young daughter of the rich merchant Jamal. Her privileged life comes at a high price, as Julia learns the secret to why her mother is treated as an outcast: Jamal did not marry Helena; he purchased her when she was 14. He has another legitimate family in Damascus. Julia’s search to come to terms with her life leads her to the followers of Christianity. She accepts the new religion. Her greatest hope is to open the hearts of her mother and father to the new faith.
Christianity is a new and dangerous faith. Rich characters are introduced from all walks of life to share Julia’s journey. Jacob the orphan, Alban and Linux, Roman soldiers, Zoe the servant, Abigail who is Jacob’s sister and widow of Stephen, a Christian martyr stoned to death. All cross Julia’s path on the road to Damascus. They encounter bandits, sand storms and persecution by Zealots. Saul, a Pharisee searching for Christians to be put to death joins Jamal’s caravan.
My favorite part of the story is the interspersed biblical figures such as Helzebah, the Samaritan woman Jesus met as well. He asks her for a drink of water and speaks to her of her 5 husbands and the fact that she was living with another man unmarried. He offers her “the living water” and she is filled with peace and forgiveness. She evangelizes, bringing many people to the followers.
Davis Bunn co-wrote this book with Janette Oke. Mr. Bunn has 20 years as a professional author and years of world travel to add to Ms. Oke’s pastoral background and Christian fiction writing, which combine to make this noel a realistic look at the lives of early Christians.
I felt I was walking alongside the characters on their journey. It gave me a new respect for the courage it took for people to accept Christianity. The Damascus Way is the third book in the Acts of Faith trilogy. I suggest beginning with the first book, The Centurion Way. I recommend this book to all.
slh
SUSIEHAMILTON@MAIL.COM