1. The Advocate
    Randy Singer
    Tyndale House / 2014 / Trade Paperback
    Our Price$12.49 Retail Price$15.99 Save 22% ($3.50)
    4.8 out of 5 stars for The Advocate. View reviews of this product. 34 Reviews
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    Stock No: WW348605
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Displaying items 21-25 of 34
  1. Kris
    Fairfax, VA
    Age: 45-54
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Fabulous book!
    June 2, 2014
    Kris
    Fairfax, VA
    Age: 45-54
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    From the beginning I found this book completely compelling and did not want to put it down! Even though it was a departure from the author's norm of contemporary fiction, this historical fiction was completely riveting. I also learned things about Roman society that I never knew before and I loved how Mr. Singer even treated some known facts with humor.

    Essentially, Mr. Singer has written a book with the idea that Luke and Acts sound like legal briefs — would it be possible that they were written to a lawyer, Theophilus, to get him caught up to date to prepare for Paul's trial before Nero? So we get the story of Paul woven in the book, but also the fictional parts about Theophilus and how he fit in Roman society. Of course Mr. Singer has done extensive research into Roman society to bring many details to life — from the vestal virgins to the gladiator games to the problems in outlaying provinces. We even get an understanding for why Pontius Pilate acted as he did.

    Fabulous book — one of my new favorites and I highly recommend it! Great read for both men and women!
  2. Dorothy
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Superb Legal Drama
    May 29, 2014
    Dorothy
    Quality: 5
    I will confess up front that biblical novels are not usually my first choice of genre but as Randy Singer is a favorite author of mine, I wanted to give it an honest try. Once I began, I was hooked...by the writing, by the characters and by the plot. The author has done a superb job of portraying life in Rome around AD30- 60. It is obvious that he did an incredible amount of research and I learned a lot while reading this fictional account of the trials of both Jesus and the Apostle Paul. The author made that time in history come to life for me and I recommend this book to you.
  3. lcjohnson1988
    Indiana
    Age: 45-54
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    May 17, 2014
    lcjohnson1988
    Indiana
    Age: 45-54
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    This story is set mostly in Rome, with a short time spent in Jerusalem and Caesarea, beginning around A.D. 25. The main character is Theophilus, and the story begins when he is 14. Subsequent pages are divided into sections, telling about different people Theophilus meets and their impact on his life. Within each section are chapter divisions. This is historical fictional account.

    Theophilus is a young Roman on his way to become an advocate or defender of truth. He is sent to school to learn from great teachers of law and philosophy. His first job after returning from school in Greece is as an assessor for Pontius Pilate. While in Judea, Theophilus meets someone who will change his life. He will never forget this encounter. He later returns to Rome and begins his career as an advocate. He takes on some very controversial cases, with potentially life-threatening consequences and makes a name for himself. He comes to the attention of more than one emperor, but does what it takes to win his case. But does he continue to defend and stand for the truth or will he take matters into his own hands to mete out justice as he sees it?

    As Theophilus ages, he withdraws from active defending and opens a school to teach the art of advocacy. He is called out of retirement by Pilate's wife to defend a Roman who has been arrested for fomenting rebellion. This man's name is Paul. As Theophilus spends more and more time with Paul, he is drawn closer and closer to God. Theophilus nears 60 and is alive during the time of Nero and the great fire that destroyed Rome. Nero looks for a scapegoat and finds several readily at hand. Can Theophilus win his last and most important case...his own?

    The story started out a little bit slow, but I kept with it and I am so thankful I did! This for me was historical fiction come to life. I thought the author did a great job of making me feel like I was right there, living alongside these characters. The descriptive writing details were stellar. Did I like reading about the graphic brutality of crucifixion? Of course not, but it is truth. How could anyone watch someone die in a horrible manner as a lunchtime intermission? How callous can the heart grow? However, even through this horrendous death, I saw the strength and hope of these early Christians. It was emotionally difficult to read about these deaths, but it really brought home the suffering these people faced. Would I or you be able to endure such torture for our Lord's sake? Christ suffered agony for me and you. Think about what you would be willing to do for Him.
  4. mustlovetoread
    Newport VA
    Age: 35-44
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    a must read Christian historical legal thriller!
    May 10, 2014
    mustlovetoread
    Newport VA
    Age: 35-44
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    The Advocate

    By: Randy Singer

    Have you ever wondered how people lived in Jesus' time? How court was held during Caesar's time? Or imagined the gladiator fights, or Paul's case before Nero? Here's your chance to experience all this firsthand.

    Theophilus is the advocate who defends people brought to trial. He is present when Jesus is performing miracles and brought before Pilate. How could the Nazarene be so serene when he is accused? Theophilus thinks on this over the years, and when he is asked to defend Paul, he is ready with his questions regarding Jesus.

    By the end of the book, there is a band of Christians being killed. My faith and hope were encouraged witnessing their stand of faith in the midst of persecution. They held firm to God's kingdom will prevail. The Spirit of the Lord casts out fear, for we should only fear the one who has authority over both body and soul. In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. They endured all so they could hear these words: Well done, good and faithful servant.

    The Advocate is a legal thriller following Theophilus' life and the people he defends, all leading up to his defense of Paul. Theophilus–lover of God–maybe there is a small part of Theophilus in all of us. Be strong in the Lord.

    The Advocate is a page-turning legal thriller. I look forward to reading more books by this author. I received this book free from Tyndale Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
  5. IVLeague
    Cabot, AR
    Age: 35-44
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    A permanent addition to by bookshelf!
    May 7, 2014
    IVLeague
    Cabot, AR
    Age: 35-44
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    For me, the most delightful parts of the story where the trials of Christ and of the Apostle Paul. Randy Singer made it real in my mind's eye. He emoted the passions involved in both cases. Placing the reader right in front of the defendants - hearing, feeling, seeing all that was transpiring.

    The majority of the characters are ripped from the annals of time. We know them or are familiar with their qualities and accomplishments. This sense of familiarity propels the story and creates a incredibly enjoyable read. Singer brings the biblical cast to life in a positive almost familial way. Roman leaders like Tiberius, Caligula, and Nero are aptly portrayed as selfish, power seeking, ruthless and paranoid. Though little is known of Theophilis besides two mentions of him in the bible (Luke & Acts), Singer's has cleverly created his fictional life story and deftly placed it into historical events.

    If you have ever finished a book and been disheartened by the remaining loose ends, you will not have that problem here. There were times when I read something that seemed of little consequence only to have the reason for it's original mention come to light later in the book. There is a long pause between the trial of Christ and the trial of Paul where the author steers away from the mention of Christ or The Way. During this hiatus he develops the romantic storyline for Theophilis. In addition, he paints a splendid picture of Roman architecture, culture, values, and their religious and legal systems.

    This book was more than a legal thriller for the reader's amusement, it challenges us to reexamine our faith. To ask yourself, "How far would I be willing to go and what would I risk for Christ". Like Theophilis, I have made mistakes in my life and made attempts to right those wrongs on my own. His story reminds us that it's only through Christ that we are fully redeemed and granted life everlasting. I finished the book feeling humbled, yet hopeful. It will become a permanent addition to by bookshelf and one that I will recommend to many.

    I received this book free from the publisher through the Tyndale Blog Network http://tyndaleblognetwork.com/ book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
Displaying items 21-25 of 34