God's Story: A Narrative Adaptation of the Bible

  Nero’s reign had long passed, as had the reigns of Galba, Otho, Vitellus, Vespasian, and Titus.  Domitian now bore the title of Caesar and it is believed that,rather than have the aged apostle John executed, he exiled him to the island of Patmos, off the coast of Asia Minor. Like Peter and Paul before him, John wrote to the followers of Jesus, making sure that the church would be strengthened in spite of his exile: Let me tell you about Jesus, who has existed since before time, whose story brings life, and who, I have seen, and heard, and touched.  I am telling you so that you can share in the eternal life he has brought to us.   With God there is no darkness, only light.  If we claim to follow, but still walk in darkness, we are liars.  But if we walk in the light we are purified from our sin by the blood of Jesus.  This is how we know we are walking in the light, we live like Jesus lived.   If we claim we have no sin, we are liars....

Though the facts have been lost to time, Paul, it seems, was released from house arrest after his trial before Nero and began yet another journey, along with his proteges and longtime companions, Timothy and Titus, spreading the story of Jesus and encouraging those who already believed. Paul, likely, left Titus in Crete to oversee the church there, while Timothy stayed in Ephesus, upon their return. When Paul reached Philippi, he sent each of them a letter of encouragement. To Timothy he wrote: To Timothy, my dear son in the faith. Grace, mercy, and peace from God the father and Jesus our savior and lord. When I went to Macedonia I asked you to stay in Ephesus so that you could tell some of the people there to stop spreading false teachings and to stop being obsessed with myths and pointless family trees. All of this was spreading confusion and division instead of advancing God’s kingdom. Love from a pure heart, good conscience, and sincere faith is the key and some people seem t...