When facing bullies, problems or disappointment,
do you stand your ground, flee, or give up?

This is a story for the young and young-at-heart,
surviving pressure at work, school, home or street.

It may open new perspectives to security services, 
making split-second decisions in mortal danger.

Do Christians have the right to self-defense?

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Realism and Idealism about War and Peace

SUPPOSE THE WORLD TURNED THE OTHER CHEEK
TO ADOLF HITLER…

Surviving violent circumstances is still an awful challenge to many today. These situations are usually more complicated than simplistic belief-systems suggest. Many prefer not to analyze kill-or-be-killed dilemmas but rather to live by double standards: in principle, they denounce all violence, but in practice, they condone violence within limits. They hate war, but they don’t think the world should have turned the other cheek to Hitler or Al-Qaeda.

The Broken Spear depicts people in life-threatening situations during the violent Roman time. As they fight, flee or submit, they struggle to make sense of choices and consequences. When Greek Jason and Jewish Tabitha become soul-mates in the city of Corinth, they have to deal with several ethical questions. Facing life-or-death decisions, Jason is guided by his grandpa’s advice: “You have only one precious life; defend it with all your might.” When he is eventually sentenced to a gladiator school in Rome, Jason has to decide: As a Christian, shall I lay down my life or fight for survival? Is it better to be than not to be? What is my life’s purpose?

The story addresses our time: When soldiers and police make split-second decisions to shoot or not, what principle guides them? What mindset equips them to handle the relentless pressure applied by imminent danger and scrutinizing critics? What truth keeps them afloat in the tempest of doubt and depression? These men, women, and their families may find the book stimulating to discern and discuss the ethical and emotional sides of their duties. A war-weary nation may come to realize that turning its back on victims of violence is neither wise nor humane.

Like the epics, The Robe and Ben Hur, THE BROKEN SPEAR plays out
in the harsh but intriguing Roman world of the first century.

Four young Corinthians get into a double love-triangle at the time
when the apostle Paul reaches their sinful city with the holy gospel.

Roman, Greek, Jewish, and Christian values clash and mingle,
pushing them into hard choices and gripping adventures.

When forces beyond their control bring them together in a place of horror,
old beliefs are turned upside down. They only have a broken spear for defense.

The Broken Spear intertwines love and hate, adventure and survival,
faith and doubt, yearning and closeness, persecution and victim victory.

As pastoral counselor, the author assisted victims to become victors. His training and experience regarding spiritual and emotional matters enabled him to view the problem from various angles. He did post-graduate research on the self-concept, and published three devotional Bible-studies, covering most of the Bible, before he wrote The Broken Spear.

Available at

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Photos of Corinth

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