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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

Why I Think This Guy Makes Biblical Fiction Come Alive

by Chautona Havig · Leave a Comment

M.D. House took one of the most infamous characters in Scripture and showed us what God can do with a man so utterly despised. Wow! via @chautonahavig

Biblical fiction, first-person perspective. The books have everything against them, but M.D. House got me excited about reading The Barabbas Trilogy before we’d spoken for five minutes.

House offers us a look at what could have been based on what we know of what was. Just reading the “Look Inside” on Amazon gives you a hint of where House’s Barabbas came from and where he’ll go on his redemptive journey.

From what I’ve read, these books might make my top books of 2021 list!

M.D. House

Note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.

Why I Think This Guy Makes Biblical Fiction Come Alive

A few years ago, I finally read a Biblical Fiction book that I liked.  My favorite part was that the series was about Biblical places and their effects on people’s lives rather than about specific people. I figured that I had finally found “my” kind of Biblical fiction.

And I probably did!

However, after chatting with M.D. House (a.k.a. Mike), I discovered that there are other sorts of Biblical fiction that intrigue me.

Seriously, listening to Mike talk about his process in writing his most recent release, Pillars of Barabbas, all I could think of is, “WOW!”  And “BUY IT NOW.”

So I did.

Mike spent hours and hours reading every word of Paul’s epistles, taking hundreds of lines of notes, and really immersing himself into just who Paul was in order to… get this.  GIVE US A POV character in his book.  From Paul.

YEAH!

Funny thing is, though. This corporate-finance-turned-Biblical-fiction author didn’t start out in Biblical fiction.  Nope… his first book was.

Sci-fi.

Yep, in addition to his trilogy on Barabbas, M.D. House has a sci-fi series.

And it’s good, folks.  It’s GOOD.

Chatting with Mike was great because as we talked, I could hear the passion he has for the church, for God’s people, and for the Lord.  The man loves God’s Word, and it comes out in every word he speaks, practically.

While I’m anxious to read these first two books, listening to him talk about what he’s doing with book three… EEEP!  Guys.  The Destruction of Jerusalem.  It’s about to hit the page.

Personally, I can’t wait.

About Pillars of Barabbas by M.D. House

The man they called Barabbas has come a long way from the wretched prisoner released by Pontius Pilate in lieu of Jesus of Nazareth. He and his wife Chanah are growing in regard among the leadership of Christ’s fledgling church, which is expanding and thriving.

But increasing Christian influence breeds jealousy among several Roman governors and senators. How will Emperor Nero react? Can the apostle Paul soothe the moody young ruler and help the valiant Roman saints continue to spread the Word?

The Parthian Empire also poses threats, including in Eastern Africa, where the former centurion Cornelius has become a prominent Christian leader. Will the Christians need to flee, or must they fight both the Romans and the Parthians?

You can find M.D. House at his website HERE.

Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at:

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If you’d like to be on the Because Fiction Podcast, please go HERE and submit your topic idea! I’d love to hear about it.

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 215: A Chat with Henry O. Arnold
byChautona Havig

I had a chat with actor and author Henry O. Arnold a while back, and boy did we have a lot of fun. His Song of Prophets and Kings series features the advent of Israel’s kings from Samuel’s birth through David hiding from Saul (so far) and onward. Listen in as we chat about his most recent release, The Singer of Israel.

 

note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.

What Made David Such a Man after God’s Heart?

I think this series will show us. I love that Henry O. Arnold started back at Samuel’s story to prepare us for the story of arguably the most influential king of Israel. Yes, Solomon was the wisest and richest, but David offered something that Solomon didn’t have. He was an average guy—a shepherd, no less—chosen by God to lead his country.

In a sense, it’s kind of the ancient Jewish version of a poor, everyday guy growing up to become President of the United States. If you know what I mean.

This five-book series is available as an eBook, in print, and as an audiobook, too! Henry read a snippet of it to us, and boy you get a feel for his love of Scripture and God’s people as he reads.

And if that wasn’t enough, he even gave us a hint of his upcoming Christian suspense/thriller “series. He says he has two books planned for sure, so… at least a duology, but maybe we can talk him into a trilogy at least? Get those odd numbers and everything?

The Singer of Israel by Henry O. Arnold

A singer’s voice inspires a troubled nation…A shepherd’s courage vanquishes a giant

The last official act of the prophet of Yahweh was to secretly anoint a replacement for the king of Israel who has been brought low by an unbalanced mind. The great prophet of Israel lives in fear of the wrath of the king. Then out of the hills of Bethlehem emerges the last-born son of a family of shepherds to become the unforeseen hero of Israel.

When David sings of the glory of Yahweh, this shepherd wins the hearts of the royal family and restores King Saul’s troubled mind. But when the singer/shepherd defeats the champion of the Philistines in single combat, David becomes forever known as “the giant slayer.” Saul quickly sees that David is now a threat to his kingdom and secretly plots to have him killed.

David may be the champion of the people of Israel, but he must live under the constant threat of Saul’s wrath until he is finally forced to flee for his life.

The Singer of Israel is a tale of triumph and tribulation, deepest love, and burning rivalries; the new epoch is given a voice…and it is The Song of Prophets and Kings.

You can learn more about Henry on this WEBSITE.

Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at:

  • Apple 
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  • Google Play
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  • Amazon
  • and more!
Episode 215: A Chat with Henry O. Arnold
Episode 215: A Chat with Henry O. Arnold
March 24, 2023
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Episode 214: A Chat about After the Shadows with Amanda Cabot
March 21, 2023
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Episode 213: A Chat about Daughter of Eden with Jill Eileen Smith
March 17, 2023
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Episode 212: A Chat about Code Name Edelweiss with Stephanie Landsem
February 28, 2023
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Episode 211: A Chat with Lynn H. Blackburn about Under Fire
February 24, 2023
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Episode 210: A Chat with Jennifer Deibel about The Maid of Ballymacool
February 21, 2023
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Episode 209: A Chat with Tracie Peterson about Remember Me
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Episode 208: A Chat with Author, Hallie Lee
February 14, 2023
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Episode 207: A Chat with Daniella Rushton about Portal Fantasy
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Episode 206: A Chat with Lisa Phillips about Her New Spin-off Series
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