Last year my agent sent me the manuscript for a novel about people’s errant conceptions of Jesus. Her idea was that it would be an interesting addition to the BarnaBooks line, which strives to challenge people’s thinking about their faith. We’d never entertained the idea of including a novel in our line, and the very idea sounded a bit wacky, but I realized that I read more novels than non-fiction works, and the description of the manuscript sounded fun and biblically instructive. Once I began reading Imaginary Jesus, by first-time author Matt Mikalatos, I was hooked. It was a fast and entertaining read, but reflected so much of the theological confusion we have tracked in our research that I became an immediate fan of the book. Soon thereafter we negotiated for the rights to the book and are pleased to include Imaginary Jesus among the BarnaBooks line.
Including a novel in the line was not the only unusual thing about this book. All of our books include new research that relates to the point of the book. We conducted such research for Matt, which I was originally slate to describe in the Foreword for the book. I wrote an introduction to the book, incorporating the data regarding whether and how people hear God speak, in a way that I thought might be clever enough to fit Matt’s terrific work, but it seemed flat and forced. So Matt offered to take some of the research and weave it into his story. He wound up inserting a brief chapter in which he encounters me in a restaurant and we discuss some of the research and how those findings relate to his needs. As usual, he did a great job of making something that could have been odd or awkward flow smoothly while adding value and wisdom to the unfolding narrative.
I hope you read Imaginary Jesus – and recognize the numerous and inaccurate ways in which we perceive Jesus. Let me know your thoughts about the book, and your experiences with how people think about the nature of Jesus. It’s only when they encounter the real savior that they can become free.
April 22, 2010
This book rocks! Laugh out loud funny and thought-provking all at same time. Glad you (or your character) got to experience Portland firsthand.
April 22, 2010
Matt Mikalotos has High Jacked my theology. The story, Imaginary Jesus, at the hands of Matt (with the help of an ass named Daisy), has replaced the jc of my notions with the Ieshua of LIVING reality.
Faith.
April 25, 2010
This is a fascinating, thought-provoking read. . .and matt is a great down to earth guy -cornelia seigneur
April 27, 2010
Never been a Novel guy, going to hold out for now, but I am glad it’s accomplishing work for the Kingdom.
May 3, 2010
The false concept of Jesus/messiah/God has been around since right before the fall.
For the last several decades, a false concept of Paul has widely emerged in the institutional church which will cause many to receive the antiChrist.
Peter mention in his 2nd letter (2nd Peter 3:16) how people wrest Paul’s writings.
The rebellious antinomian mindset has warped much of scripture, especially Paul’s letters.
Because of this corruption, Jesus, the Holy Spirit and all 4 gospel authors are insulted and made to look clueless and inept.
” It’s only when they encounter the real savior that they can become free.”
Partially true, however, how many Jewish clergy and others encountered Jesus and wanted Him dead or rejected Him outright? The same experience would happen today.
99% of the clergy actually reject some of Jesus’ efforts and words today and teach error.
The modern generation of an AntiPaul has created an AntiChrist.
MATT 24:24 is almost completely fulfilled.
June 23, 2010
The CSFF Blog Tour featured Imaginary Jesus this week. If you’d like to see the reactions of the reviewers, you can find a list of participants and links to their posts here.
Becky