All Who Came Before

Synopsis: For too long the story of history's most infamous terrorist, Yeshua Bar-Abbas, has been mistold. The only way to get justice from the Roman Empire is to steal it. By travelling to the Judean capital and avenging his brothers, Yeshua has achieved precisely that. However, the newfound friends who unexpectedly came to his aid have now blocked his way home to Egypt. An alcoholic archer, an over-zealous rabbi, a nervous shepherd boy, and an overweight farmer have further plans for Yeshua and his brother, Theudas. Each of them will discover that the kind of justice you win depends on how you fight for it. Violent revenge, passive resistance, or reluctant acts of terror? Each will bear its own fruit. Endorsements: "Two young Jewish traders, sons of a rabbi, set out to avenge the murder of their two brothers. Their actions in an ancient quest for justice tie them up with rebels who chafe under the oppression of Roman occupation in Judea and Galilee. Many deaths follow as plans to assassinate the prefect unfold. On their journey to Jerusalem they meet Yeshua of Nazareth, are betrayed by a trusted member of the group, and rob a tax collector. The young assassin named Yeshua is renamed Bar-Abbas as his leadership develops. The picture of first century Palestine is rich and accurate. The challenge to twenty-first century people is insightful as Bar-Abbas addresses modes of injustice. The central theme of justice is woven throughout, but is most richly developed in letters, son to father, and father to son, prior to the expected crucifixion of the assassin. Justice is revealed to be as complex and elusive as the human family. Justice must finally give way to mercy and love." -Dr. Robert L. Doty Professor of Literature Emeritus Campbellsville University Campbellsville, KY "Perry's work is a masterpiece of creativity. He has skillfully blended events of historical veracity with speculations as to how those events unfolded, so as to keep suspense high. His knowledge of Jewish customs, social and political realities, along with Rome's attitude toward Jews, is commendably broad. For the mystery buff who knows something about the Bible, they cannot go wrong in choosing this book." -Joe E. Lunceford, Professor of Religion, Georgetown College, KY "Simon Perry brings action to one of the worlds greatest narratives. He invokes a world that most of us think we know something about, and through a rare blend of scholarship and storytelling blows away our preconceptions in a whirlwind of adventure and intrigue; when the dust clears, the man left standing, now as then, is Bar-Abbas and this is his story. Set in the Middle East, in the early first century, this tale is for you if you watched Defiance and cheered for the underdog." -Dien Wooler Royal Air Force "A thrilling story of intrigue, treachery, and forgiveness. From start to finish there are issues of morality, right and wrong, actions without understanding the consequences. Fascinating to see how four simple sentences can color our minds and blind us from objectivity. This book takes a well known story and serves it up in a dramatic and encapsulating manner in order that we might think. Excellent." - Iain Hoskins Bristol Baptist College Author Biography: Simon Perry is a former soldier, a single parent, and has a PhD in Biblical Hermeneutics. He lives near Cambridge, UK, with his four children.