CHRIST THE LORD

today a review of anne rice's new novel by my friend and fellow blogger jamie:

When I heard that novelist Anne Rice, author of the famous Vampire Chronicles, was writing a novel about the early years of Jesus Christ, I was skeptical. When I read that it was being written in first person from Jesus own perspective, I was intrigued. I had heard that Rice had returned to the Roman Catholic faith of her youth in the late 1990's, but had not followed her life or writing in several years. I picked up the hardcover "Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt" on my way out to YWAM Vancouver for a week of teaching, expecting an interesting, if not provocative read.

As is my habit, I stayed away from interviews and reviews until I had read the book, wanting to experience the work with as few preconceived ideas as possible. However, with an author such as Rice, it was hard not to expect, well not the worst, as Rice is an excellent writer and a phenomenal historical researcher- I expected something else. As anyone familiar with so much of the material out there that would undermine the nature, character or very historicity of Christ, you'll understand my cynical expectations. What I found in those pages, however, was something far more beautiful. I discovered a very real Jesus, a man, a Messiah, the Son of God.

The novel opens in the streets of Alexandria, where a 7 year old Jesus and his kin have lived for years. Rice paints a vivid and living portrait of the Egypt of Jesus day, exploring the inevitable influences the the culture and philosophy would have had on His childhood. But Egypt is not to be the setting of this story, as Joseph soon announces their planned return to the Holy Land, to visit Jerusalem to worship before returning home to Nazareth.

And so, echoing the ancient story of Israel emerging out of exile, we follow the young Jesus as He journeys to a home He has never seen. Throughout these life altering events, we begin to see glimpses of the power that Jesus is only vaguely beginning to understand. I recognized many of the stories from extra-Biblical sources, which is sure to stir some discontent from more conservative Christian readers. I would encourage such readers to keep reading, as I do not believe that they undermine the integrity of the story or of Jesus. Even Rice acknowledges that these including the material was based on "assumption", but felt it was crucial to the deeper truth of the story. And I agree.

As the family travels through the Holy Land, we are introduced to a deeply politically, spiritually and historically wounded people in the midst of civil unrest. Simultaneously, we begin to understand what it means to be a Jew in that day. With so much of the material on the "historical" Jesus being so ruthlessly geared to undermine Jesus divinity, purpose, being, etc., Rice accomplishes what few have- to present a fully Jewish (fully human) Jesus of His era, yet equally divine, rooted in the fullness of the Judeo-Christian story.

In the authors notes at the end of the book, Rice shares briefly of the journey she took in bringing this book to being. It reveals the depth of study that she delved into (and continues even today) to do everything in her power to tell the truest story she could. To her credit, she read every source she get her hands on, openly expecting to have her image of Jesus distorted.

"What gradually came clear to me was that many of the skeptical arguments- arguments that insisted most of the Gospel were suspect, for, or written too late to be eyewitness accounts- lacked coherence... Absurd conclusions were reached on the basis of little or no data at all." ("Christ the Lord", by Anne Rice, pg 313, Knopf Canada)

However, it was through genuine study that she became even more deeply convinced and committed in her belief of Christ. (As a side note, Rice credits N.T. Wright as the most positive and influential voices of these studies). So truly has this impact changed her that Rice says she could not return to her former subject matter. While she does not condemn her previous works, as they reflect her journey towards faith that many readers shared (myself included), she know that she could not go back. Rice has 3 or 4 more volumes in this series that I am already eagerly anticipated.

In the end, I believe that this book represents one of the best "fictional" presentations of Jesus I have ever encountered. I do not hesitate a moment in recommending it as a must read for all Christians who want to know Jesus in a deeper and truer way, rooted in His rich Jewish culture and history, as well as the ancient-future vision of God's Kingdom.

Don't wait for the paperback. Get it today.