Jesus' brothers and sisters

As an old person (73) I like to retreat into antiquity. The history of the 1st Century AD is absolutely fascinating, if only because it was one of the most interesting periods of history. The birth of Jesus Christ was that rarest of events - one that changed the course of world history.

Using the magic gateways of Google, Wikipedia, etc., to knowledge and information, I have been able to trace 31 sources of reference to Christ's siblings.

1st Century Rome and Palestine

Nero, a tough in a toga and as mad as a March hare, ruled the Roman Empire during the period when Jesus' brothers and sisters were still living. A period when the Jews and the Arabs were fighting each other. At the same time, the Jews were fighting a civil war with Jew killing Jew. Not satisfied with that, they declared war on Rome! Jesus' brother Simon had a torrid time during that period.

I have used this material to write my debut novel - The Yeshua Gene - published by Lulu.com, available in book form or as a download.

Note this material contains descriptions of a sexual nature, extreme violence and Satanism. This is not for prurient reasons, but necessary to the story.

Log on to Lulu.com to read the preview for free. Read on to get a description of the book itself.

THE YESHUA GENE
Set in the first century AD, the Yeshua Gene is a classic study of the never ending battle between good and evil. The setting is a dazzling historical reconstruction of First Century Rome. Its principal characters are the Roman Emperor Nero; Simon (a brother of Jesus Christ) and Clodia (the daughter of Pilate) together with their baby son Joshua. There are 31 sources, mostly biblical, referring to Jesus’ brothers and sisters – these are listed in the Appendix).
Roman occupation of Palestine was brutal and bloody. The Jews added to their misery by starting a sectarian war of unbelievable savagery, with Jew killing Jew as well as rebelling against Rome. The occupying Roman army brought swords, scandals, sex and slavery to the region.
As Nero’s Rome burns, this historical novel unfolds with an extraordinary account of faith and courage. The conflict between good and evil is high drama.
Stepping alive from the pages are Christ’s brother, Simon and Pilate’s daughter. Clodia , who are thrown together in this terrifying war.
A marvellously rich recreation of the world’s first Christians and Nero’s Rome – a place of evil and a centre of Satanism. Brims with feeling and the atmosphere of the period. A gripping adventure and an epic love story.

Who invented the Roman Catholic Church?

The Emperor Constantine in Nicaea. When the first Church Council met in Nicaea under Constantine in the 3rd Century, they met to create a unified doctrine. The rules of Christian belief which were unchangeable and mandatory for all time.

Who took the stake out of Ivan's heart?

It's back!

The evil empire makes a bid to return to world power. In '07 Russia will deliver contracted shipments of nuclear material to Iran. By Christmas '07 Islam will have the bomb - and they don't believe in Father Christmas!

Will Islam do the Soviet's dirty work for them? In which case it will definitely be a case of 'the last man standing'. Put your affairs in order.

The great evil of the world

Two anti-religions - communism and fascism - were the great evils of the 20th Century.

Islamic fundamentalism promoting terrorism is the great evil of the 21st Century.

Remember the 30 years' war? (Europe 1618 - 1648)

Every major power was involved. Its combatants the Germanic tribes. Its battle lines were religious sectarianism, aka Shiite and Sunni/Catholic and Protestants in Northern Ireland. Prepared to kill anything and anybody in the name of religious necessity.

In the 30 years' war Lutherans fought Catholics, then the Calvanists waded in to add to the witches' brew. Major Catholic and Protestant countries entered the conflict to keep the war going and Germany in turmoil.

How does this affect us today? Visit the UK Sunday Times' website and look up the article by Andrew Sullian headed 'The 30 year war brewing in the Middle East'. My blood ran cold when I read it.

Grumpy old man

Peerages for sale in the UK?

The British labour government is allegedly selling honours - knighthoods, peerages, etc.

If they have a winter sale, I might buy a peerage -Lord Peter Hall has a certain ring to it.

Tired of living in the real world?

If you don't like your life you can apparently change it for a virtual life, and live in a virtual house/church/pastor/god/country with a virtual spouse/children/pets (my wife thinks this is a wonderful idea!). Is the result an opportunity for virtual immortality?

Does time stop in a virtual reality?

A virtual life becomes the gateway to a virtual eternity. If this is so, it suggests that the future may allow us to exchange a reality we find unsatisfactory for a virtual reality tailored to our desires.

The only difficulty to overcome would be in inventing a methodology that enables the transfer of sensations and self-consciousness - I am sure this will come.

New kid on the block

My wife Wendy and I live in a small Somerset town - and this is our first venture into blogging, so please bear with us if we make some mistakes!

The word 'gob' in our blog title has several meanings. It is a somewhat crude term for one's mouth.

To be called 'gobby' means you talk too much. Furthermore, what you are saying is of little value and crudely phrased.

In my blog address it refers to me! and can be translated as 'grumpy old Brit', though strictly speaking I am an Anglo-Scot.

Watch this space for the next instalment!