Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins, John’s Story

John's Story

Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins

Putnam, November 2006, $24.95

ISBN: 0399153896

In Ephesus in 94 AD, John, the last living disciple of Jesus, still spreads the word of Christ's message to all who will listen. He hopes many will believe so they can attain salvation when it is their due time. He rejects the Gnostic Church and its leader Cerinthus because they refuse to acknowledge the divinity of Christ, even as they also accept that salvation can be found on earth by doing good deeds. John becomes so incensed with Cerinthus' preaching that he is pressed by God to write a gospel describing his time with Jesus.

Using John's anecdotes about Jesus, including turning water into wine and raising Lazarus from the dead after, he writes a compelling portrait that angers Rome. When John fails to repent, he is sentenced to die in boiling oil. The oil does not touch him, so he is exiled to the mines of Patmos, where Christ visits him and gives his loyal believer a glimpse of the future that soon becomes the Book of Revelation. When he is finally able to return home, he tells the world what he saw as the end of days, cherishing his beloved teacher to those who would listen.

Readers get a glimpse of John's early years and how he never doubted that the Christ was the son of God sent to the earth to sacrifice himself, so humanity can be saved. The former is fascinating, but the latter is what makes this biblical biographical fiction inspiring, as the authors portray John's feelings, his desire to win converts peacefully, and the risks he willingly takes in hostile Rome. Book One of the Jesus Chronicles is deep, with a strong message of belief and loyalty that readers of all faiths will appreciate.