Special congratulations to Rick for his being awarded third place in the 2020 Catholic Book Awards contest for best Catholic novel.
The Rebirth of Nicodemus
by Rick Akins
TESTIMONIALS
“THE REBIRTH OF NICODEMUS…AND ME? I found resonance in Rick Akin’s Rebirth of Nicodemus, a novel, imaginatively put together and chastely written. Akin presents the spiritual struggle of Nicodemus, trying to reconcile the Pharisaic way with the madness of one whom some saw as the Messiah. Jesus had said that he needed to be born again! Madness. It was a madness that in a strange way pointed to a higher truth and challenged the sanity of the Law that governed his life as a member of the Sanhedrin. As a reader, one cannot help but join in that struggle, the journey into that ‘womb’; the spiritual passion, death and eventual resurrection, the re-birth that Jesus talked about. We see Nicodemus not just as another minor actor in the theatre of redemption but as a mirror reflecting one’s own journey — from the sanity of tradition and the world to that divine madness of the Christ’s teaching; from the dictates of the Decalogue to the luminescence of the Beatitudes.” – Ivan Arthur, author of Saynt Lachmi
“I really enjoyed getting to know Nicodemus’s character and found it quite creative how the author had him, in some way, involved with all the critical stages of Christ’s life. Through Nicodemus’s perspective, we see the landscape, learn of the political struggle, and experience life as a Jewish person in this first century. This was particularly evident when Nicodemus takes John to the Temple the first time to tell him about meeting Jesus when he was 12. Those descriptions, smells, details….all well done. I pray this book finds its way into the hands of thousands of people. It’s a beautiful, thoughtful story that I would recommend to any of my friends and family.” – Natalie Hanemann, Owner and Editor, Hanemann Editorial
“The Rebirth of Nicodemus is a story takes you in and takes you back, being a part of the troubled times which include the destruction of the temple. It is one family’s story of being caught up in the violence and finding hope in Jesus the Son of God. Their company and guide is St. John the Beloved. The characters whose names we know from history are made vivid, living, walking souls and we become their contemporaries. It is good company I recommend you walk with them.” – Rev. Dr. Balluff S.T.D., Vicar for Priests Diocese of Joliet
“I will say I was entertained, and it was a powerful finish for sure. I found The Rebirth of Nicodemus an intriguing story which captured my imagination. I could not help but think how many of us are on similar journeys of faith. Many clinging to the past, clinging to possessions, clinging to worldly desires and our pride like an old tradition or faith. Knowing that the joy of our Lord Jesus and God is right in front of us, many times we are too afraid to take the steps forward and truly trust in Christ and his promise to us. I pray we all have this ‘Nicodemus moment.’ ‘Send your Spirit, send your Spirit like the wind Lord, forgive me, take me back!'” – Tim Botka, Director, Fishers of Men, Diocese of Joliet
“The Rebirth of Nicodemus not only gives new life to Nicodemus, it brings back to life on earth to a host of first century Jews and Christians, the beloved disciple John, and Jesus Christ, Who loved him and loves us all. This book is masterful historical and biblical fiction. I can only imagine how many hours Rick Akins spent in research and in weaving this story together, but I know he has provided every reader a few hours of inspiration and delight.” – Kevin Vost, Psy.D., Author of 12 Eternal Life Lessons from St. Thomas Aquinas
“In The Rebirth of Nicodemus, Rick Akins give us a unique and reverent take on a story of a turbulent time – and the timeless story of Jesus – a devotional speculation of beautiful connections told through the conversations of beloved Gospel characters, against the backdrop of the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the Temple. A worthy addition to the tradition of biblical historical fiction!” – Jim L. Papandrea, M.Div., Ph.D., Professor of Church History and Historical Theology and author of The Squire’s Journey
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Rick Akins is a father of three and currently lives in Wheaton, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. He was born and raised Catholic in upstate New York and has an electrical engineering degree and MBA from the University of Illinois.
Rick has been widely published in the technology field and owns six patents in fiber optics. In 2004, he began attending an evangelical church every other weekend for family reasons and wrote several books about the experience.
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