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When God Was a Boy

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When God Was a Boy

By: C.T. Giles
Narrated by: C.T. Giles
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About this listen

Yosef struggles through his responsibilities as the surrogate father of the messiah, destined as he is to raise and train the single most influential person in human history. Dwelling with his wife and children in the quiet township of Natzeret, always beneath the shadow of the Roman Empire, at times beneath its hostility, Yosef does the very best that he can to guide his adopted prodigy of a son. No one else had ever been expected to function as the guardian of God during His incarnate adolescence. And Yosef never knew as much either.

©2022 Chad Thomas Giles (P)2022 Chad Thomas Giles Ancient Historical
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I think many have wondered what the childhood of the young Messiah would have looked like. C.T. Giles clearly has wondered the same and composed a beautiful (audio) novel that takes you back to the Second Temple era. Giles is well studied in Scripture has a great understanding of the world of ancient Israel, and Jewish traditions, in this he creates a landscape that breathes authenticity. And he surprisingly well manages to combine Scripture and fiction, resulting in an intriguing and educative novel.

The story is a fresh breath about two parents that are faced with what might be the most challenging task in parental history; to raise the future King of Israel. Joseph is a great carpenter, and Miriam a loving mother, but raising Israel's Messiah in something else. How could this be the long-awaited Messiah that would deliver Israel from Rome? A boy who has never seen a war, hold a sword, or even been in a fight. Giles brings everything together, family matters, community life, and the oppressive Roman empire. Every chapter leaves you with something to ponder about and often a smile on your face. Personally, my favorite chapter is the encounter with the haughty roman soldier.

If you aren't or are hardly familiar with the Second Temple era, this is not only a lovely- but also an educative novel that will leave you with great satisfaction. 

Finally, I find captivating the authenticity of the story and the author. Giles is a true littérateur, and he is not only the author but also the narrator. That could be challenging, especially in an audiobook, but I wasn't disappointed. Giles has a calm and pleasant voice that draws you into the story with excellent narrating.

Excellent! A great story worth listening.

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