Novels on the Life of Jesus

Abstract

M ANY people gain information-or misinformation--on the life of Jesus from novels. The popularity of these books is shown in the publication within the last ten years of more than a dozen, some of which have become best sellers. At the present writing The Robe appears in its fifty-fifth impression, and The Big Fisherman has sold over 400,000 copies. The books listed at the end of this article vary in literary merit and in accuracy in their portrayal of the characters, the scenes, and the background of the gospel. Some, notably The Nazarene, present a wealth of information on Jewish thought and custom in New Testament times. Others, such as The Emperor's Physician, reflect the problems and the customs of twentieth-century America. Properly used, and frequently checked against the gospel records, these books may be very helpful in individual or class study. The technique in writing a novel on the life of Jesus is to create a story that might be true, to describe historical events and add imaginary events, but not to create situations contrary to history. An exception to this rule is seen in The Big Fisherman, where Herod Antipas is assassinated shortly after the crucifixion,' although as a matter of history Herod lived several years longer and died in banishment. A critical reader will find himself asking often: Is this situation in harmony with the gospels? Could this incident have happened within the framework of the gospel story? An early acquaintance between the boy Jesus and James and John, who may have been his cousins,2 is probable. A visit to the home in Nazareth, when the disciples had opportunity to talk with Mary3 is possible, for somehow somebody heard her story of the early years. It is quite possible that Jesus spent winter months in Capernaum, quietly working at his trade.4 A retreat in the wilderness shortly before the end is not forbidden by the gospel chronology, but the Maccabean fortress with its secret entrance and secluded valley described in The Emperor's Physician must be attributed to the author's imagination. These stories remind us of how little, actually, we know of the activity of Jesus and his associates. We are not at all sure of the order in which events happened, and there are great gaps in chronology between the beginning and the end of the ministry. Characters for the novels are created by building up the lesser known characters of the gospels. How the same character is differently conceived in different stories may be illustrated by Barabbas. The record states that he was a prisoner, condemned for insurrection and murder.6 In the stories he becomes a revolutionist, plotting to overthrow Herod and the Roman government-a foil to Jesus. He is pictured as a patriotic Jew, who robs the rich and gives to the poor, and in some stories he believes himself to be Messiah. The end result for him and his movement is the same whether he is described as driven by evil motives6 or as using evil means for good ends.' One story makes him a handsome, dashing young man,8 while another traces his anti-social tendencies to the disfigurement of an ugly birthmark.' Two disciples-Judas and Simon the Zealotare variously used to tie his movement to that of Jesus. Others who are scarcely more than names in the gospels and are blown up into characters in the novels are Joseph of Arimathea, Nicodemus, Jairus, Chuza and his wife Joanna, Malchus, and Rufus. Figures that appear in * WILLIAM R. LOCKE has served pastorates in the Methodist Church in New Hampshire and Ohio and has taught in Allegheny College, Mount Union College, Lake Erie College, and, as of this fall, High Point College, High Point, N. C. The material in this article was delivered in a series of lectures at the Community School of Religion in Willoughby, Ohio.