I'm always interested in reading fiction books that take place in Biblical times. For example, I loved Christopher Moore's Lamb, which is a beautiful retelling of the life of Jesus told from the viewpoint of his best friend "Biff."
Along those lines a friend recommended a novel called Bethlehem Boys. It's not strictly a "Christian book," but the baby Jesus does play an important role. It starts with a unique hook--the gifts of the Magi are stolen from the baby Jesus in his manger and Constable Gidon, a member of the Bethlehem watch is assigned to investigate the theft. But from there is broadens into a very interesting portrayal of life in Judea at that time. All of the main characters are Jewish, which makes sense because the book takes place more than 30 years before Christianity began, but the narrative does bring in elements of the gospels, although in a kind of "pick and choose" way. The theft itself is kind of a red herring, because it's really more about the nature of belief in messiahs and the religious and political intrigues going on at that time.
But it's not heavy-handed at all. Gidon is kind of like a hard-boiled detective, cracking jokes, brushing up against authority, knocking out those who try to harm the baby, and getting himself in a lot of trouble in his quest to solve the theft and other crimes that follow from it. The book is very humorous and has great characters, including several very powerful women characters. Even though it's told from a Jewish point of view there's nothing in there that would offend mainstream Christians in any way. Yes, there's a bit of discussion of the virgin birth and Mary and Joseph come off kind of like rural rubes, but that's probably how they were really were. But, overall, it does support the notion that, even in his early days, Jesus was already recognized as the messiah. Although, as you'll find out in the book, he has competition.
It's only available on Amazon, but you can preview the entire first chapter and part of the second if you look at the Kindle version. Check it out.
Along those lines a friend recommended a novel called Bethlehem Boys. It's not strictly a "Christian book," but the baby Jesus does play an important role. It starts with a unique hook--the gifts of the Magi are stolen from the baby Jesus in his manger and Constable Gidon, a member of the Bethlehem watch is assigned to investigate the theft. But from there is broadens into a very interesting portrayal of life in Judea at that time. All of the main characters are Jewish, which makes sense because the book takes place more than 30 years before Christianity began, but the narrative does bring in elements of the gospels, although in a kind of "pick and choose" way. The theft itself is kind of a red herring, because it's really more about the nature of belief in messiahs and the religious and political intrigues going on at that time.
But it's not heavy-handed at all. Gidon is kind of like a hard-boiled detective, cracking jokes, brushing up against authority, knocking out those who try to harm the baby, and getting himself in a lot of trouble in his quest to solve the theft and other crimes that follow from it. The book is very humorous and has great characters, including several very powerful women characters. Even though it's told from a Jewish point of view there's nothing in there that would offend mainstream Christians in any way. Yes, there's a bit of discussion of the virgin birth and Mary and Joseph come off kind of like rural rubes, but that's probably how they were really were. But, overall, it does support the notion that, even in his early days, Jesus was already recognized as the messiah. Although, as you'll find out in the book, he has competition.
It's only available on Amazon, but you can preview the entire first chapter and part of the second if you look at the Kindle version. Check it out.
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