Synopsis
No Historical Event is more riveting than the sudden appearance of Angels in the Advent of Jesus. After centuries of silence, it was a monumental occurrence for multitudes of Angels to speak once more bringing shocking messages from God to a surprising variety of people of all ages, vocations, and multiple nationalities. The Angelic Visitations would forever impact our lives and world in ways we still do not fully grasp. Many are still asking today, "What does it all mean? What life changing secrets did they share?" This book not only explores answers, but takes us on a trip to the people & times of the 1st century for a unique historical and spiritual engagement! The authors of "Following The Angel Trail," Pastor Arnie Johnson & Rev. Dr. Mary Johnson, invite us on a carefully researched fascinating journey through time to experience, see, and hear viewpoints of Gabriel, Mary, Joseph, Elizabeth, Wise Men, Zechariah, Prophets, Shepherds, Simeon, Anna, & many others who encountered Angels. The authors share extensive pioneering historical research & vast Biblical knowledge in a compelling book you will not want to put down. Although written like a detective novel in order to fully convey the truth of this pivotal time, this beautifully illustrated book strives to be historically accurate as possible. As you relax and read through the pages, it is meant to make Bible times come vibrantly alive and help experience the reality and miraculous impact of the Advent, birth, flight, escape from Herod, and childhood of Christ as if you were actually there. "Following The Angel Trail" can enjoyed as a fascinating and compelling non-fiction historical novel by simply reading through the prologue and chapters. Yet it is also a great bargain offering 2 books in one, as an extensive Study Guide is included in the rear. This book can also be used as a riveting group or individual Bible study by utilizing the excellent Study Guide provided in the back of the book. Study/Reflection Questions, spaces for answers and notes, a Timeline, Maps, extensive Endnotes, Index, and Bibliography are provided in the back for each chapter. "Following The Angel Trail" can also be used simply as a "great read" and wonderful way to increase understanding of 1st century times, customs, history, government, politics, geography, and the multiple ways history, and geography have deeply affected our personal lives, faith, and world. Those who read these pages need to be prepared to enter into and experience the often surprising reality of the days when Jesus walked the earth. Throughout you are invited to visit with Joseph, Mary, Elizabeth, Zechariah, Anna, Simeon, the Wise Men, Shepherds, Angels, the Innkeeper, Herod, John The Baptist, Jesus, Gabriel, and many others involved in the Advent and Epiphany of Christ. This is the book you have been seeking if you have ever wondered what these people, and many others including Jesus' own extensive family, truly thought and felt. Find answers to such questions as: "What was their life really like? What would they tell us today if we could talk and visit awhile?" This book is designed to lead you on an incredibly realistic journey to reveal the real world and times of the first century. For if we are to truly hear and receive the rich wisdom and treasures these vital heroes of the faith can still share with us today, we need to find ways to take Saints of old out of pages that have often become stale and dead in their familiarity. For we all need to strive to see the heroes of early Christianity in their full human reality while firmly anchored to their own historical time and context. Although we can never know completely all they said and did, we can know with a great degree of confidence what their world was really like and what they may well have felt, said, and thought. If reading "Following The Angel Trail" accomplishes this, in some degree, then the purpose of this book has been achieved.
About the Author
The authors of "Following The Angel Trail," Pastor Arnie Johnson & Rev. Dr. Mary Johnson, enjoy ministering together including preaching, seminars, & teaching. This is their first book written together although both have published separately. Pastor Arnie Johnson has enjoyed a distinguished career as a college professor after retiring as a USAF Major and highly decorated combat veteran with numerous medals including the Distinguished Flying Cross. He has served since in many other areas including teaching, the Red Cross, and Emergency Services. In later life he has enthusiastically embraced a call as a Methodist Pastor now serving a rural UMC church. He is a gifted musician with a BS, cum laude, from UNH; an MBA from Southern NH University; & doctoral work toward an Ed.D. at Vanderbilt University. Rev. Dr. Mary Johnson has served as a parish pastor and in diverse specialized ministry settings for decades. She has pastored in Methodist, AG, Congregational, & Independent Churches with extensive Chaplaincy, Teaching, and Clinical Supervisory experience. Dr. Johnson is also a skilled clinical psychotherapist and has earned credentials as a Nationally Board Certified Counselor, State Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, etc. She has published 3 other currently available books. She has been included in "Who's Who In Religion" & "Who's Who In Human Services" with a BS, cum laud, in History from Black Hills University; a Th.M., cum laud, in Biblical Studies and Pastoral Counseling from Boston University School Of Theology; & a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Andover Newton.
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