Josephus' Antiquities: Volume 2

VOLUME 2: The second volume of Antiquities takes us from King Saul’s death in 1,055 B.C. to the death of Judea’s Queen Alexandra in 67 B.C. Josephus’ narrative takes us through David’s rule, followed by Solomon and the kingdom’s split under Jeroboam, the Samaritans, the captivity of the ten tribes, Nebuchadnezzar, Daniel, Cyrus, Alexander the Great, Xerxes, the Maccabeans, and Queen Alexandra.

Bob Beasley, Editor

Flavius Josephus

The Unabridged Paraphrase

Josephus' Antiquities: Volume 3

VOLUME 3: This final volume of Josephus’ Antiquities traces the history of the Jews from Queen Alexandra’s death in 67 B.C. to the procuratorship of Rome’s Florus in 64 A.D. These are years of inter-family squabbles as Aristobulus and Hyrcanus vie for the kingdom before Antipater’s son, Herod [the Great], kills Malchus, takes over as Tetrarch, and befriends Marc Antony. Herod then builds the second temple and many other works in Judea became king by Caesar’s proclamation, destroyed his sons, and dies. Pontius Pilate becomes procurator, Jesus Christ is born, and Herod the Tetrarch rules. Caesar Caligula is assassinated, and through several perils, Agrippa is crowned the Judean king. Nero becomes Caesar in 54 A.D., and trouble begins to roil Israel as Florus becomes procurator.

COMING JULY 4, 2025

Flavius Josephus

The Unabridged Paraphrase

Bob Beasley, Editor

This is the chilling story of the assassination of the Roman Emperor Caius Caligula in 41 A.D. Intertwined with his close friendship with Herod the Great's son, Marcus Julius Agrippa, Caligula became emperor of Rome at the death of Tiberius Caesar and immediately sets out on a course of madness. Although the people of Rome love Caligula for his generosity, the Roman Senate and his other acquaintances bear the brunt of Caligula's treachery and gross inhumanity. A conspiracy of leading Romans plots Caligula's assassination, and after many unforeseen delays, the deed is done in the hall of a packed theatre. The author, Flavius Josephus (37 - c100 A.D.), would become close friends with Agrippa's son, Agrippa II, who knew the intimate details of the affair from his father, King Agrippa the First.

Killing Caligula

Adapted from "Josephus' Antiquities: The Unabridged Paraphrase - Volume 3.

The Jewish Wars: The Unabridged Paraphrase

An eyewitness account of one of the most significant events in world history, The Jewish Wars describes the destruction of Jerusalem and the Hebrew Temple in 70 AD. The soldier/historian Flavius Josephus wrote the history around 94 AD. It has been translated into English many times, the most popular over the last centuries being William Whiston's 1737 translation from Greek. That translation is in the public domain. The problem is that its English is antiquated and difficult for the modern reader to understand. The sentences are long and complex, and the referents of the strings of pronouns are difficult to decipher. This is why I took nine months to paraphrase the 300-year-old translation into modern English.

Available now on Kindle or as a paperback on Amazon.com

Over 100 Five-Star Ratings of Amazon!

This 1683 classic by the Puritan John Owen has been edited into today's English for easier access. Invoking the Holy Scriptures at every turn, Owen addresses the Arminian universalist fallacies condemned at the Council of Dort in 1619 as he argues for the biblical teaching of sovereign grace alone in salvation. The Father's election of His people from all eternity was fully accomplished by Christ's shed blood and then applied in time to God’s people by the Holy Spirit in regeneration. A Christian’s salvation by faith alone is entirely the gift of God. (Ephesians 2:1-10)

“The Death of Death in the Death of Christ” remains a somewhat difficult book, tightly and carefully argued from God’s Word. Beasley's edited version will give access to many who have shied away from the ancient language, syntax, and long, complex sentences of Owen's 17th-century work. The central payoff for every Christian is the absolute assurance that their salvation has been ordained, accomplished, and applied by the triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

“Arminianism is “natural” in one sense, in that it represents a characteristic perversion of biblical teaching by the fallen mind of man, who even in salvation cannot bear to renounce the delusion of being master of his fate and captain of his soul.”

Dr. J.I. Packer

Available now on Kindle or as a paperback on Amazon.com

The Death of Death in the Death of Christ

John Owen

Bob Beasley, Editor

Modern English Version

101 Portraits of Jesus in the Hebrew Scriptures

Following His resurrection, Jesus appeared to some men walking along the road to Emmaus. After a short conversation, we have these words from Luke: "And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, [Jesus} explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself" (Luke 24:27). In 101 easy-to-access chapters, Bob has opened up the Old Testament for us in a new and powerful way. 101 Portraits of Jesus scans Genesis to Malachi in a survey of the many types, foreshadowings, specific prophesies, mighty works, and pre-incarnate appearances of our Lord and Savior--Jesus Christ. Solidly biblical in character, 101 Portraits of Jesus will deepen your understanding of and love for the entire Bible.

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Over 250 Five-Star Ratings on Amazon!

Jesus said in John 14:15, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”

When God’s Spirit regenerates a believer and gives us faith in Christ, He puts a “want to” in our hearts to follow Jesus. Then, Christ’s commands put a “how to” in our minds to follow Him. All of God’s commandments are but reflections of His righteous and holy character. Jesus compared His commandments to a “yoke” in Matthew 11:30, where He said, “For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Yokes placed on the backs and necks of horses or cattle help them pull together to make their burden lighter. An “easy” yoke makes work light. Jesus’s yoke is light because while He supplies the desire through the Spirit’s leading, He also supplies the strength. Jesus’ yoke brings joy to the redeemed soul who longs to serve His Lord and others. We must pick up our cross daily, but Jesus does the heavy lifting.

The topical format found in this Bible study can help us to focus in on specific areas of Christian morality in a profound way. The force of a topical study of any kind is dramatic, but to study Christ’s commands and those of His apostles in this format is extremely powerful.

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Loving King Jesus: The Joyous Freedom of Obedience

The Wisdom of Proverbs: An Essential Guide

Like hard candy, the book of Proverbs needs to be savored long after the first taste. The Wisdom of Proverbs provides that opportunity in a daily devotional format that covers every proverb, is easy to read, and is full of godly spiritual guidance. This unique volume also includes biblical examples of those who followed or ignored the teachings of Proverbs, providing you with real-life applications for each principle. Perfect for pastors or Bible students. The Wisdom of Proverbs is valuable for any layperson interested in a complete study of all of the Proverbs.

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Over 200 Five-Star Ratings on Amazon!

Some time back, my wife, Amy, and I attended a Christian conference in Dallas, Texas, and had dinner one night with a friend who is a professor at a Christian college. I mentioned that I was writing a book on Proverbs 3:5&6 and he responded, “That’s my life verse!” Why is that true for so many Christians? This little volume seeks to answer that question. May God bless you richly as you grow to bring honor and glory to our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, trusting Him with all of your heart, leaning not on your own understanding, acknowledging Him in all your ways, and walking on the solid and straight path of His righteousness. That’s the distilled essence of our lives in Christ.

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Proverbs 3:5&6:

The Distilled Essence of the Christian Life

The Life of Flavius Josephus

Josephus's autobiography is a good introduction to his more significant works, Jewish Antiquities and The Jewish Wars. Bob has paraphrased the 1737 William Whiston translation into modern English. Some overlap with The Jewish Wars does occur, but most are new to this short volume. Born a Jew of the priestly class in 37 AD, Josephus led a most fascinating life. As the commanding officer of the Jewish troops in Galilee, he spearheaded the development of city fortifications in anticipation of the Roman army invasion under Vespasian. When they finally came, he took command of the defenses. Later, when captured by the Romans, Josephus watched as Jerusalem and the Temple were destroyed. He spent the end of his life as a historian of Jewish history and as a Roman guest of Emperors Vespasian, Titus, and Diocletian.

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Wisdom for Women

Who is the Proverbs 31 woman and why is she so important? Wisdom for Women, a daily devotional and study guide, provides Christian women with an in-depth look at her beautiful example of godly womanhood. As each characteristic of this biblical model is examined, today's women of God will find inspiration and encouragement for their own Christian lives. Written with my wife, Amy.

Currently out of print. Available used from Amazon.com in paperback.

Proverbs for Promise Keeping

​Forward by Gene Getz

Drawing from Bob's book, "The Wisdom of Proverbs," this daily devotional and Bible study guide will assist the man of God to grow in his Christian maturity, in his relationship with Christ, and in all aspects of his daily walk. Proverbs for Promise Keeping will help today's Christian men strengthen their devotion to Christ through prayer, worship, and faithfulness.

"Proverbs for Promise Keeping provides the 'ongoing workout' that all of us need to sustain the seven wonderful promises many men are making." Gene Getz

Now out of print. Paperback used copies are available at Amazon.com.