My Book Idea, Comments Wanted

[Redtigerlily]

First of all, I am a new Christian and I always entertained the idea that Jesus was a fake (like most non believers). I do believe that Christ is who he said he was but the idea for my book is about a origin of Jesus Christ that evolves Christ being a lower God of Greek Mythology and figuring out how to gain power over every other God by coming down in the form of a man and performing all of these miracles to gain believers. He creates Christianity and overpowers the other gods and becomes the one and only god working with Hades (Satan). rough idea but I think that I could cover most of the religious history and old testament fulfillments to make it seem plausible but in an intro I would clearly label this as fictional and with no real merit, just a fantasy. Tell me what you think and remember that this is just an idea, and it is not meant to offend anyone, if it does sincerely apologize.

 

[TheDandyMan]

If you wanted it to be a fantasy, and without merit, then I suggest making up your own system of gods and goblins and whatnot. Why play around with something that even you admit to be a life-saving truth?

 

[lozzie]

I wouldn't consider it to be a great idea. It wouldn't matter if you stated that it was a work of fiction. Once you start basing things on real life events and people, readers views can be swayed - even if it is unintentional of the author. I wouldnt want something that I wrote, fiction or not, to have the chance of giving people a false impression of my Lord and Saviour. If we want to have others see Jesus for who he really is, then we cannot be handing out false messages.

As the Dandyman said, if you want to write your fantasy story, by all means write one, but don't base it on Jesus. If you want to write fantasy, and let it have merit as an original idea, make it up yourself... Just dont use Jesus as a pivotal role in something that is completely not of His character.

 

[Westvleteren]

I think it's an imaginative idea and worth pursuing. I'm no expert on all the theories about Jesus, but I think there is a hypothesis floating around out there that the Christ mythos came from earlier mythologies, so you're not far off base in that regard.

You should, however, be prepared for unfavorable comments from purists. Look at what the Catholic Church has said about The DaVinci Code--even though it was clearly written and marketed as fiction, the Church is very concerned that readers will confuse "fiction" and "reality." (What that does to my atheist irony meter is a thread for General Apologetics.) Some might even go so far as to consider it blasphemy.

I'm not advocating not writing it, because I would never advocate that--I believe that a writer should always write what's in their heart and mind; and books should never be subjected to censorship just because it challenges somone's ideology. Just giving a friendly warning that, in some circles, you might get more criticism than you anticipated.

It sounds like something that will lead you to an interesting place, wherever that may be!

 

[Lessien]

First, let me say that I think you're very creative and have the ability to come up with good ideas.
But I don't think that writing this book would be a good idea. I think that it would come across as mocking Christianity, even if that's not what you want to do. I think that it would also draw people away from God, rather than to Him. I don't think that's what you want.
If you want to write fantasy, don't base it on something Jesus didn't do that's completely against his character.
I sincerely apologize if I offended you. I do think that you could go places with your imagaination.

 

[Abner Cadaver]

You might want to take an idea from the great author C. S. Lewis. In "Perelandra" he takes the hero to another planet (via angel propelled glass box!) where Adam and Eve, and of course the serpent, are happening again. This kind of a trip removes it from a place where it might be offensive to a lot of people.

"Perelandra" and the other two books in Lewis' science fiction series are well worth a read and seem right up your alley. I wish you well.

 

[Tissue]

The idea seems interesting, but I would not recommend pursuing it.

If it gives you any ideas, consider one of my ideas: "Two parents, concerned at their teen's behavior, encourage him going to a church which the two parents believe to be false concerning salvation, but good concerning the morals. Along the way, the teen becomes a Christian, realizes its truth, and tries to sway his parents toward it."

In this way, Jesus is presented as fake in the opinion of the two parents, but the Truth is eventually found later.

Your mindset seems to be rather similar to mine, though I tend to shy away from ancient mythology.

 

[Redtigerlily]

I appreciate the comments and would like to thank you all. I guess the only thing left to do before I start is pray about it. I don't know exactly if this is what I meant when I prayed that I could make the waters turbulent for fellow Christians. I do not mean that in a bad way, simply that I do not want others to be complacent. I want to challenge a person's faith in order to strengthen it. Only by challenging our beliefs can we accept them fully. I believe that with all my heart.

 

[Lessien]

I know that we need to have our beliefs challenged before we can fully accept them. But don't challenge other people's (and probably your own in the process) beliefs by writing a book about Jesus that tells about him doing things that were-and are-completely against his character. Even if you say that it's fantasy and bears no real merit up front, you'll inevitably plant doubts in people's minds. And your book may end up confusing people who want to know more about Christianity. Challenging their faith before they've even accepted Christ is a bad idea. And you may also end up shaking your own faith in the process of writing this book.
I apologize if I offended you with this post.

 

[Bevlina]

First of all, I am a new Christian and I always entertained the idea that Jesus was a fake (like most non believers). I do believe that Christ is who he said he was but the idea for my book is about a origin of Jesus Christ that evolves Christ being a lower God of Greek Mythology and figuring out how to gain power over every other God by coming down in the form of a man and performing all of these miracles to gain believers. He creates Christianity and overpowers the other gods and becomes the one and only god working with Hades (Satan). rough idea but I think that I could cover most of the religious history and old testament fulfillments to make it seem plausible but in an intro I would clearly label this as fictional and with no real merit, just a fantasy. Tell me what you think and remember that this is just an idea, and it is not meant to offend anyone, if it does sincerely apologize.

I read your other post about praying about it. And, I don't really think you'd be advised to write something like this.
What type of an audience do you expect to get?
You cannot make a fantasy tale out of Jesus and be applauded. Don't forget, Jesus Christ Is Lord.

 

[ConstanceB]

Hello, Friend!

Your concept of Jesus as a member of a pantheon of Greek gods is not a new one. In Scripture, begin reading at Acts 17:22 -- Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: "Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord ofheaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands . . ." You have here a model and a defense for any who would criticize.

I cannot, however, imagine the years of research needed to bring life to the Greek pantheon and the historical Jesus, not to mention sorting through the myriad interpretations of the nature of the spiritual Jesus.

Oh! Read C.S. Lewis' book, The Screwtape Letters. It is a story of a great demon advising a lesser demon on how to tempt. Although this author was known worldwide as a scholarly Christian, he got hate mail for this little volume! Is your own faith strong enough to ride through any attacks, whether by the world or by believers?

Just one more thing: I lived my teen years in the '60s, the chronological epicenter of the "God is Dead" movement. May I suggest that now, in the 21st century, between the angry attacks of atheists, the smug dismissal of agnostics, the religion of science, the philosophy of liberalism's utopia, secular humanism's pride & self-righteousness, Islam as the fastest growing evangelical religion on the planet, and the continual divisiveness of Christian denominations, "challenges" and "turbulence" are something Christians have already painfully endured.

 

[heron]

I glean more spiritual insight out of analogies than out of straightforward religious stories. People don't like to be told what is. If it's not fantasy, some people will close the book when they find out your hypothesis. Edgey is good, but this messes with the core of who we are, and who we believe the universe revolves around.

It could make a very fun story with another character name, and is so Greek god-like to outwit the others in order to gain power and control the world. If you entertain the Jesus parallel inside, that's between you and God.

Look also at whether the time you spend on the direct Jesus parallel will be cost-efficient. You certainly will not be able to market this through religious publishers, and will have a limited audience in the secular venue (although DaVinci code did well). We shouldn't squash our expressions by what will sell, but there are times in life we need this efficiency to pay the bills and avoid vile criticism.

As someone earlier said, it's worth writing what's in your heart...but if you're exploring who Jesus is, make sure you're trying to find out who he says he is, at the same time that you're reconciling who you think he is.

It reminds me of the animated films Hercules and Emperor's New Groove, and Pinky & the Brain..not to put it on a childish level, but a playful power struggle one.

 

[ConstanceB]

I glean more spiritual insight out of analogies than out of straightforward religious stories. People don't like to be told what is. If it's not fantasy, some people will close the book when they find out your hypothesis. Edgey is good, but this messes with the core of who we are, and who we believe the universe revolves around.

It could make a very fun story with another character name, and is so Greek god-like to outwit the others in order to gain power and control the world. If you entertain the Jesus parallel inside, that's between you and God.

Look also at whether the time you spend on the direct Jesus parallel will be cost-efficient. You certainly will not be able to market this through religious publishers, and will have a limited audience in the secular venue (although DaVinci code did well). We shouldn't squash our expressions by what will sell, but there are times in life we need this efficiency to pay the bills and avoid vile criticism.

As someone earlier said, it's worth writing what's in your heart...but if you're exploring who Jesus is, make sure you're trying to find out who he says he is, at the same time that you're reconciling who you think he is.

It reminds me of the animated films Hercules and Emperor's New Groove, and Pinky & the Brain..not to put it on a childish level, but a playful power struggle one.

Well stated, Friend Heron, and worth reading over several times for all of us. cb

 

[woman.at.the.well]

Just one more thing: I lived my teen years in the '60s, the chronological epicenter of the "God is Dead" movement. May I suggest that now, in the 21st century, between the angry attacks of atheists, the smug dismissal of agnostics, the religion of science, the philosophy of liberalism's utopia, secular humanism's pride & self-righteousness, Islam as the fastest growing evangelical religion on the planet, and the continual divisiveness of Christian denominations, "challenges" and "turbulence" are something Christians have already painfully endured.

I would have to agree with ConstanceB in this regard. And add I'm not real sure where Heron got "people don't like to be told" bit from because I did not get that from anything the OP said.

I think its a bit of a stretch but who knows . . .keep searching and let us know what the consensus is.

 

[Waiting for the Verdict]

I appreciate the comments and would like to thank you all. I guess the only thing left to do before I start is pray about it. I don't know exactly if this is what I meant when I prayed that I could make the waters turbulent for fellow Christians. I do not mean that in a bad way, simply that I do not want others to be complacent. I want to challenge a person's faith in order to strengthen it. Only by challenging our beliefs can we accept them fully. I believe that with all my heart.

It's a good idea. Christianity has endured plenty of critiques in the past, from authors less sympathetic to it than you. Another one wouldn't hurt. Indeed, it might help. In the late 1800's and early 1900's, such books were common. They would challenge Christianity without resorting to stereotype to do so (see Samuel Butler's excellent "Erewon" or Kafka's excellent, but somewhat obscure, "Trial"). I think the important thing to do, however, is make sure you don't resort to labeling, whether of Christians, atheists, Greek mystics, etc. In my first novel, I had a conflict between a theologically conservative pastor and his more liberal, but still Christian, son. I could have stereotyped the pastor, but I decided he needed to be portrayed with some sympathy. Because he was, the novel turned out far better than it otherwise would have.

Good Luck!

 

[Natiana Nat]

I think that that would be a very blasphemic thing to do... taking His life and making it into a fantasy? Please don't do that. He was for real. I'm not saying that I have the authority to say this, but what would Jesus think about you writing that? Would He want you to make a mockery out of His life that he led? Probably not.

 

[Westvleteren]

I think that that would be a very blasphemic thing to do... taking His life and making it into a fantasy? Please don't do that. He was for real. I'm not saying that I have the authority to say this, but what would Jesus think about you writing that? Would He want you to make a mockery out of His life that he led? Probably not.

Let's say, for the sake of argument, that I'm not an atheist and I accept that the life of Christ as portrayed in the Bible is a true account of a real person...

...if Mel Gibson can make a movie about Christ as based on some 18th century nun's sado-masochistic nightmare, why can't you write anything about Jesus that your heart moves you to write? Where is the line drawn between a "dramatic re-interpretation" of the life of Christ--or allegory, or parable--and blasphemy?

I'm not saying this to challenge, I'm really curious. What's the difference?

 

[Redtigerlily]

Thank you all again for your comments, they are all welcome and is being taken into account. I do not mean to be rude, but saying please don't do that is not a good reason, though most responses have very good reasons for or against this type of book. But I have one question for all of you:

Does a muscle get stronger unless it tears first? My problem with most Christians and religious people in general, is this feeling of complacency. Too many people claiming that Jesus is our savior do not actually know him nor what he taught. I am a new Christian, and I see so many things that disturb me. I cannot ask a hard question to an average Christian (one who does not work for the church directly), and the most common answer to my question is a disgusting look and a comment about my lack of faith. Ha! My faith is new, I am hungry for all knowledge and anything else I can get my hands on. It feels like Christians found a nice shady tree under which they sit for their entire lives without a care. Why do you think that so many non-believers think that Christians are lemmings? It is because most of them don’t think for themselves. Maybe I want to shake the faith of others, but is that really so bad? What is from my shaking some of them will get so mad at my story that they will show up to church one day and ask for proof to discredit my story? Today I see more of the Pharisees in Christians than most would expect (notice that I said Christians not Christianity which is the most amazing thing that I have ever known). However I feel that it is important for me to say where this idea came to me. I was walking into a Christian bookstore, which was next to a liquor store, and I realized that I would get more of an authentic experience in the liquor store than in the book store because the liquor store was not hiding what or why they were in business for. Have you ever been in a church and felt eyes on you which are always judging you? It feels like there is a list that Christians have to follow which does not include the 10 commandments. We are becoming more and more like the Pharisees! Think about it, there are certain things that “good” Christians have to do. A good Christian bows his head when he prays. A good Christian sings along with the choir. A good Christian donates money every time. A good Christian closes his eyes to pray. A good Christian stands when the music is playing. A good Christian goes to church every Sunday and an occasional Wednesday. Tell me that in your heart you don’t see what I have described as true. We have so many misconceptions and we are fine with it. We live two lives. Sorry if this has offended you in any way. But I hope that you can counter each of my statements or at least agree with me in some of them. Because if you do either, than at least you have thought about it.

 

[heron]

where Heron got "people don't like to be told" bit from because I did not get that from anything the OP said.

It was a general statement, that we like a little mystery in our messages. Jesus used parables to persuade, so we'd make connections ourselves.

My point about the book--if it's written saying Jesus was/Jesus is, people will not stop to think and read the other valuable parts of her writing, but will overreact to her hypothesis. If she approaches it with more subtlety, readers will continue reading with curiosity, and have room to make other valuable parallels (power struggles they've been through with coworkers, friends, etc.)...a little more literary approach than theological.

But I also think there's a risk in messing with God.

 

[Natiana Nat]

But I also think there's a risk in messing with God.

Very nicely stated. I didn't mean to be so blunt on my last "review", and I'm sorry if I offended anyone. After I read it, I realized that it could've been said in a nicer way.