From the author of the international bestseller The Last Station, a superb historical novel of the Apostle Paul, whose tireless and epic preaching of the message of Jesus brought Christianity into existence and changed human history forever. In the years after Christ's crucifixion, Paul of Tarsus, a prosperous tentmaker and Jewish scholar, took it upon himself to persecute the small groups of his followers that sprung up. But on the road to Damascus, he had some sort of blinding vision, a profound conversion experience that transformed Paul into the most effective and influential messenger Christianity has ever had. In The Damascus Road novelist Jay Parini brings this fascinating and ever-controversial figure to full human life, capturing his visionary passions and vast contradictions. In relating Paul's epic journeys, both geographical and spiritual, he unfolds a vivid panorama of the ancient world on the verge of epochal change. And in the alternating voice of the Gospel writer Luke, Paul's travel companion, scribe, and ghostwriter, a cooler perspective on his actions and beliefs emerges -- ironic but still filled with wonder at Paul's unshakable commitment to the Christ and his divinity.

Julia has everything money can buy...except for acceptance by either the Gentiles or the Jews. Her Greek father already has a wife and family, leaving Julia and her Hebrew mother second-class citizens. But when they are introduced to followers of the Way, they become part of that community of believers. Abigail's brother, Jacob, now a young man, is attempting to discover his own place as a Christian. He is concerned that being more serious about his faith means trading away the exhilaration of his current profession as a caravan guard. Hired by Julia's father to protect the wealthy merchant's caravans on the secretive "Frankincense Trail"--undercover transport of this highly valuable commodity--Jacob also passes letters and messages between various communities of believers. He is alarmed to find out that Julia, hardly more than a girl, is also a messenger. Can their immediate mistrust be put aside to finally bring their hearts together?

Three Bestselling Novels in One The Acts of Faith trilogy is a sweeping saga set in Israel and beyond during the months and years immediately following the death and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. Authors Davis Bunn and Janette Oke have woven an intriguing story featuring compelling fictional characters who interact with the men and women who were central to the rise of Christianity. Amid religious, political, and cultural persecution, these courageous few must shape and preserve a faith that will stand the test of time.

Acts is the sequel to Luke's gospel and tells the story of Jesus's followers during the 30 years after his death. It describes how the 12 apostles, formerly Jesus's disciples, spread the message of Christianity throughout the Mediterranean against a background of persecution. With an introduction by P.D. James

These 366 reflections contain illustrations for faith and growth, inspiration and Bible study with application. Luke's gospel contains this sentence, "Jesus answered, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and ... soul, and ... Strength, and ... mind.'" These reflections build upon those aspects of Christian growth, with emphasis on the "mind" part-the part we too often neglect. "Bill McDermet offers those who travel with him on the Damascus Road the bounty of a faithful ministry. Here are probing questions, thoughtful insights and observations, worthy and not-so-worthy examples, words of assurance, and calls to action shared with grace in 366 bit-sized portions." -D. Newell Williams, President of Brite Divinity School, Texas Christian University "In this heartfelt work, McDermet provides a brief engaging reflection for every day of the year, which points the reader toward God. In sharing personal experiences as well as stories of biblical characters, the writer invites the reader to feel God's presence and see a loving God's guidance each day." -Westbow Press

Conversion is intrinsic to the Christian Religion. The most remarkable conversion recorded in the New Testament is that of Paul, and most Christians consider Christ's encounter with Paul to be a prototype of Christian conversion generally. This collection of eleven essays give Paul's conversion a firmer rootage in the biblical materials while also emphasizing personal application. The contributors examine the nature of Paul's Damascus Road experience and the impact of that experience on his thought and ministry, and explore how Paul's experience functions as a paradigm for Christian thought and action today.

James R. White, author of 'What Every Christian Needs to Know About the Qur'an' said the following: "Karim Shamsi-Basha has provided us with a moving, personal story of the sometimes winding, often messy road of grace tread by those blessed souls who find the glory of God in the face of Jesus the Messiah. His story of coming to know that the true Jesus from the background of Islam, together with the narrative of the life of Paul, provides a unique and edifying narrative that will bless many readers."