Daniel Molyneux's Blog - Posts Tagged "judas-son-of-simon"
An interview with author Daniel Molyneux
Judas Son of SimonWhat is the central message you want readers to come away with after reading Judas Son of Simon?
The transforming power of love, mercy, and forgiveness.
What inspired you to write Judas Son of Simon?
There is a short, and a long answer. The idea came to me when I was standing on the site of ancient Megiddo, looking across Galilee’s Jezreel Valley.
What’s the long answer?
For years, I have been studying the Holy Land’s history, geography, archeology, and the Dead Sea Scrolls. This made my understanding of the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures bloom in a way that amazed me. I wanted others to have a similar life-changing experience.
Why did you choose to write Judas as historical fiction, rather than non-fiction?
Non-fiction books about the Holy Land, tend to be dry and academic. I wanted to write a novel that made the story of Judas come alive, giving the reader a riveting experience, but that also aided the reader’s spiritual journey. It was my goal to make Judas Son of Simon a dramatic, emotional, and spiritually transformative experience.
But Judas is largely historically accurate, is that correct?
Yes. I set about writing a dramatic page-turner that people couldn’t put down. But Judas also needed to be a useful source of historical, biblical, archeological, and theological information.
How did you go about achieving that goal?
The characters in Judas are actual figures, from history and the Bible. The one exception is Judas’ wife. We have no information about whether he was married or not. Also, unlike most novels, Judas has three appendices, and extensive notes, to provide the reader with additional information. The reader could take a copy of Judas to the Holy Land, and largely retrace Jesus’ movements.
What do the notes address?
They address issues and events brought up in the novel. I recommend Judas be read for the dramatic enjoyment of it, the first time, without looking at notes. If the reader is interested in delving deeper, I recommend a second reading, to reference the notes and appendices. In this way, the reader can choose how much they wish to dive into the details.
Judas sounds like a unique novel. What would you compare it to?
In some ways, it reads like the Gospels, which were used as a foundation for the book. But in mood, tenor, voice and drama, Judas shares similarities with Peter Shaffer’s play, Amadeus. Amadeus is the story of Mozart, told from the perspective of his arch enemy, Salieri, and his struggle with God. In the same way, Judas Son of Simon is the story of Jesus, told from the perspective of his betrayer, Judas, and his struggle with God.
Is there a film about Jesus you would compare to Judas?
Judas is not the usual campy “bathrobe drama” where Jesus and his disciples walk around with saintly expressions, while halos hover overhead. The characters in Judas are real people, living in a real world, facing real dangers, temptations, passions, doubts, and conflicts. But Judas’ raw emotional power may best compare to the 2004 film, The Passion of the Christ.
You mentioned having a background in drama?
Yes, I have a BA in Drama, and studied at London’s Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.
What are your academic and theological qualifications for writing Judas?
Besides studying the Holy Land my whole life, I have a master’s degree from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, a doctorate from Fuller Seminary, and did post-graduate work at Concordia Seminary. I am also an ordained pastor.
What will surprise readers most when reading Judas?
There are surprises in every chapter, sometimes every page. Jesus’ parables are an example. Often, we read his parables from a modern perspective, missing the meaning Jesus originally intended. The reader will be surprised how relevant, controversial, and political his statements were when Jesus made them.
Can you give another example?
People think they know about Judas’ death. Circumstances were starkly different than many believe.
When will Judas Son of Simon be released?
Judas is being released in time for Easter, 2017.
The transforming power of love, mercy, and forgiveness.
What inspired you to write Judas Son of Simon?
There is a short, and a long answer. The idea came to me when I was standing on the site of ancient Megiddo, looking across Galilee’s Jezreel Valley.
What’s the long answer?
For years, I have been studying the Holy Land’s history, geography, archeology, and the Dead Sea Scrolls. This made my understanding of the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures bloom in a way that amazed me. I wanted others to have a similar life-changing experience.
Why did you choose to write Judas as historical fiction, rather than non-fiction?
Non-fiction books about the Holy Land, tend to be dry and academic. I wanted to write a novel that made the story of Judas come alive, giving the reader a riveting experience, but that also aided the reader’s spiritual journey. It was my goal to make Judas Son of Simon a dramatic, emotional, and spiritually transformative experience.
But Judas is largely historically accurate, is that correct?
Yes. I set about writing a dramatic page-turner that people couldn’t put down. But Judas also needed to be a useful source of historical, biblical, archeological, and theological information.
How did you go about achieving that goal?
The characters in Judas are actual figures, from history and the Bible. The one exception is Judas’ wife. We have no information about whether he was married or not. Also, unlike most novels, Judas has three appendices, and extensive notes, to provide the reader with additional information. The reader could take a copy of Judas to the Holy Land, and largely retrace Jesus’ movements.
What do the notes address?
They address issues and events brought up in the novel. I recommend Judas be read for the dramatic enjoyment of it, the first time, without looking at notes. If the reader is interested in delving deeper, I recommend a second reading, to reference the notes and appendices. In this way, the reader can choose how much they wish to dive into the details.
Judas sounds like a unique novel. What would you compare it to?
In some ways, it reads like the Gospels, which were used as a foundation for the book. But in mood, tenor, voice and drama, Judas shares similarities with Peter Shaffer’s play, Amadeus. Amadeus is the story of Mozart, told from the perspective of his arch enemy, Salieri, and his struggle with God. In the same way, Judas Son of Simon is the story of Jesus, told from the perspective of his betrayer, Judas, and his struggle with God.
Is there a film about Jesus you would compare to Judas?
Judas is not the usual campy “bathrobe drama” where Jesus and his disciples walk around with saintly expressions, while halos hover overhead. The characters in Judas are real people, living in a real world, facing real dangers, temptations, passions, doubts, and conflicts. But Judas’ raw emotional power may best compare to the 2004 film, The Passion of the Christ.
You mentioned having a background in drama?
Yes, I have a BA in Drama, and studied at London’s Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.
What are your academic and theological qualifications for writing Judas?
Besides studying the Holy Land my whole life, I have a master’s degree from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, a doctorate from Fuller Seminary, and did post-graduate work at Concordia Seminary. I am also an ordained pastor.
What will surprise readers most when reading Judas?
There are surprises in every chapter, sometimes every page. Jesus’ parables are an example. Often, we read his parables from a modern perspective, missing the meaning Jesus originally intended. The reader will be surprised how relevant, controversial, and political his statements were when Jesus made them.
Can you give another example?
People think they know about Judas’ death. Circumstances were starkly different than many believe.
When will Judas Son of Simon be released?
Judas is being released in time for Easter, 2017.
See KIRKUS REVIEWS' book review of Judas Son of Simon, by Daniel Molyneux
Take a look at KIRKUS REVIEWS' book review of Judas Son of Simon, by Daniel Molyneux: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-re...Judas Son of SimonDaniel Molyneux
Library Journal Review, of JUDAS SON OF SIMON, March 15, 2017
"In Molyneux skillful hands, the story comes alive in a new way that humanizes Judas and provides insight into the life of Jesus...Emotionally intense and intricately plotted, this provocative novel profiles Judas in unexpected ways."
Date of Jesus' Death?
What day and year was Jesus crucified? The following is part of Appendix 1 of my book, Judas Son of Simon.
Luke 3:1-2 provides numerous historical references to the religious and political leaders during John’s and Jesus’ ministries. It says, “in the 15th year of Tiberius Caesars’ reign, when Pontius Pilate was ruler of Judea, Herod (Antipas Bar-Herod) was Tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip (Philip Bar-Herod) Tetrarch of Iturea…while Annas and Caiaphas were high priests, the word of God came to John.”
The fifteenth year of Tiberius’ reign - circa 28AD
Pontius Pilate - Prefect of Judea, 26-36AD
Antipas Bar-Herod - Tetrarch of Galilee/Perea 4BC-39AD
Philip Bar-Herod - Tetrarch of Iturea, 4BC-34AD
Joseph Bar-Caiaphas - High Priest, 18-36AD
Annas Bar-Seth - High Priest, 6-15AD. Annas continued as the power behind succeeding High Priests for decades. Caiaphas was his son-in-law, and five of Annas’ sons served as High Priest.
So, from Luke 3 we know that John’s and Jesus’ ministries took place between 26 and 34AD.
Luke 3:23 says, “Jesus was about 30-years old when he began his ministry.” - circa 26-28AD.
John 2:20 says, “It has taken us 46-years to build this temple.” Herod began to rebuild the Temple circa 18-19BC. Therefore, John 2:20 takes place circa 28AD
The Gospel of John records three Passovers during Jesus’ ministry. John the Baptizer and Jesus both appear to have begun their ministries circa 27-28AD. Jesus’ baptism by John likely took place in January of 28AD.
During Pontius Pilate’s term of office as Prefect of Judea, there were only two years when Passover fell on a Sabbath – the years 30 and 32AD.
So, Jesus’ crucifixion appears to have occurred on one of these two dates. Given the overall timeline, it is most likely that Jesus was crucified on April 7, 30AD.Judas Son of Simon
Luke 3:1-2 provides numerous historical references to the religious and political leaders during John’s and Jesus’ ministries. It says, “in the 15th year of Tiberius Caesars’ reign, when Pontius Pilate was ruler of Judea, Herod (Antipas Bar-Herod) was Tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip (Philip Bar-Herod) Tetrarch of Iturea…while Annas and Caiaphas were high priests, the word of God came to John.”
The fifteenth year of Tiberius’ reign - circa 28AD
Pontius Pilate - Prefect of Judea, 26-36AD
Antipas Bar-Herod - Tetrarch of Galilee/Perea 4BC-39AD
Philip Bar-Herod - Tetrarch of Iturea, 4BC-34AD
Joseph Bar-Caiaphas - High Priest, 18-36AD
Annas Bar-Seth - High Priest, 6-15AD. Annas continued as the power behind succeeding High Priests for decades. Caiaphas was his son-in-law, and five of Annas’ sons served as High Priest.
So, from Luke 3 we know that John’s and Jesus’ ministries took place between 26 and 34AD.
Luke 3:23 says, “Jesus was about 30-years old when he began his ministry.” - circa 26-28AD.
John 2:20 says, “It has taken us 46-years to build this temple.” Herod began to rebuild the Temple circa 18-19BC. Therefore, John 2:20 takes place circa 28AD
The Gospel of John records three Passovers during Jesus’ ministry. John the Baptizer and Jesus both appear to have begun their ministries circa 27-28AD. Jesus’ baptism by John likely took place in January of 28AD.
During Pontius Pilate’s term of office as Prefect of Judea, there were only two years when Passover fell on a Sabbath – the years 30 and 32AD.
So, Jesus’ crucifixion appears to have occurred on one of these two dates. Given the overall timeline, it is most likely that Jesus was crucified on April 7, 30AD.Judas Son of Simon
EGYPTIAN ORIGIN OF THE ARK
In the Book of Exodus, God commanded Moses to build an ark. The Ark of the Covenant may seem unique and unusual - to have a decorated “box” as the central object inside the Tabernacle’s Holy of Holies. But the Ark has precedence within Egyptian Temples.
The Bible is the revelation of Yahweh to human-kind. God repeatedly utilizes things familiar to people, to reveal aspects of God’s true nature, and plan of salvation.
To discover the origin of the Ark, one must remember the Hebrews lived in Egypt for more than four-centuries, where they were immersed in Egyptian culture, including Egyptian religion.
Boats (arks) were a central part of Egyptian religious practice. Egyptians primarily lived on the eastern side of the Nile, but the Pyramids and tombs were on the western side of the river. A person’s coffin (sarcophagus) would be carried across the Nile in a boat. When reaching the western bank of the Nile, the boat would be pulled on a sledge to the place of burial. Boats were frequently buried with the pharaohs and other people, for use in the afterlife. Boats were a symbol of salvation from death.
Furthermore, Egyptian gods had boats (arks) that stood on pedestals in their temples’ Holy of Holies. During religious festivals, these boats were carried in procession by priests, using poles attached to the god’s boat. An example of this can be seen today in the Holy of Holies of the Edfu Temple, where there is a small wooden boat having poles protruding by which it may be carried. This is similar to the wooden poles inserted through rings to carry Yahweh’s Ark of the Covenant.
Yahweh borrows aspects of Egyptian culture that the Hebrews are familiar with, empties them of anything idolatrous, and then redefines these things to reveal Yahweh’s true nature and plans.
The Ark of the Covenant shares traits with the “sacred boats” that sat in the Holy of Holies of Egyptian Temples. But the Ark of the Covenant is not an idol. Rather God uses the Ark, this sacred boat or chest, as a reminder of God’s covenant with the Chosen People – and the Ark is a “footstool” over which the Spirit of God hovers.
Yahweh repeatedly “stoops down” to the cultural level of God’s People, to reveal the true nature of God and salvation. The ultimate expression of this is when God stooped down to take on human flesh, as Jesus of Nazareth. By doing this, God was revealed physically and intimately. And by Jesus death on the cross, God defeated evil and death.
Judas Son of Simon
The Bible is the revelation of Yahweh to human-kind. God repeatedly utilizes things familiar to people, to reveal aspects of God’s true nature, and plan of salvation.
To discover the origin of the Ark, one must remember the Hebrews lived in Egypt for more than four-centuries, where they were immersed in Egyptian culture, including Egyptian religion.
Boats (arks) were a central part of Egyptian religious practice. Egyptians primarily lived on the eastern side of the Nile, but the Pyramids and tombs were on the western side of the river. A person’s coffin (sarcophagus) would be carried across the Nile in a boat. When reaching the western bank of the Nile, the boat would be pulled on a sledge to the place of burial. Boats were frequently buried with the pharaohs and other people, for use in the afterlife. Boats were a symbol of salvation from death.
Furthermore, Egyptian gods had boats (arks) that stood on pedestals in their temples’ Holy of Holies. During religious festivals, these boats were carried in procession by priests, using poles attached to the god’s boat. An example of this can be seen today in the Holy of Holies of the Edfu Temple, where there is a small wooden boat having poles protruding by which it may be carried. This is similar to the wooden poles inserted through rings to carry Yahweh’s Ark of the Covenant.
Yahweh borrows aspects of Egyptian culture that the Hebrews are familiar with, empties them of anything idolatrous, and then redefines these things to reveal Yahweh’s true nature and plans.
The Ark of the Covenant shares traits with the “sacred boats” that sat in the Holy of Holies of Egyptian Temples. But the Ark of the Covenant is not an idol. Rather God uses the Ark, this sacred boat or chest, as a reminder of God’s covenant with the Chosen People – and the Ark is a “footstool” over which the Spirit of God hovers.
Yahweh repeatedly “stoops down” to the cultural level of God’s People, to reveal the true nature of God and salvation. The ultimate expression of this is when God stooped down to take on human flesh, as Jesus of Nazareth. By doing this, God was revealed physically and intimately. And by Jesus death on the cross, God defeated evil and death.
Judas Son of Simon
Cokesbury and Christianbooks.com now offering Judas Son of Simon, by Daniel Molyneux
Besides the usual book outlets such as: Baker & Taylor, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble, Judas Son of Simon, by Daniel Molyneux, is also available from Cokesbury and christianbook.com
Cokesbury – https://www.cokesbury.com/product/978...
Christianbooks.com - https://www.christianbook.com/judas-s...
Cokesbury – https://www.cokesbury.com/product/978...
Christianbooks.com - https://www.christianbook.com/judas-s...
2 Recent Reviews of Judas Son of Simon, by Daniel Molyneux
SAN FRANCISCO REVIEW OF BOOKS: "As in Daniel's other novels Judas Son of Simon is history shared and the early stages of Christianity explored in a manner that makes them irresistibly fascinating…Daniel's gift for storytelling is fully unleashed here as he re-writes stories we have all learned and in doing so makes them so very much more real and tenable. Another very fine book from this young and sophisticated religious historian."
http://www.sanfranciscoreviewofbooks....
URBAN BOOK REVIEWS: "Judas Son of Simon by Daniel Molyneux is by far a great historical novel. The tale takes a deeper look into what, how, why Judas got to where he did. A better understanding of it came from reading this book. There are a lot of historical facts woven throughout the pages. Bringing the events to life. Faith, betrayal, hatred, violence, hope, and forgiveness are found here, as the main themes…the plot was entertaining and enticed me to the characters' journey…I enjoyed reading this book, and I recommend it to readers worldwide. Forgiveness is welcome to all you seek it."
https://urbanbookreviewsrus.wordpress...
Daniel Molyneux
http://www.sanfranciscoreviewofbooks....
URBAN BOOK REVIEWS: "Judas Son of Simon by Daniel Molyneux is by far a great historical novel. The tale takes a deeper look into what, how, why Judas got to where he did. A better understanding of it came from reading this book. There are a lot of historical facts woven throughout the pages. Bringing the events to life. Faith, betrayal, hatred, violence, hope, and forgiveness are found here, as the main themes…the plot was entertaining and enticed me to the characters' journey…I enjoyed reading this book, and I recommend it to readers worldwide. Forgiveness is welcome to all you seek it."
https://urbanbookreviewsrus.wordpress...
Daniel Molyneux
JUDAS SON OF SIMON WINS PRIZE FOR BEST CHRISTIAN FICTION
New Orleans – The Independent Book Publishing Professionals Group (IBPPG) has named the best indie books of 2018. The Next Generation Indie Book Awards are the world's largest not-for-profit book awards program for independent publishers.
The winners and finalists were honored June 22 at Hotel Monteleone in New Orleans, coinciding with the American Library Association Annual Conference. The awards are judged by leaders of the indie book publishing industry, including many with long careers at major publishing houses. Their love of a great read and experience in the publishing arena identify books deserving a wider audience.
Catherine Goulet, Co-Chair of the 2018 awards proudly said, "Our program has become known as the Sundance of the book publishing world." Independent book publishing companies are independent of the major conglomerates dominating the book publishing industry. Indies include: small presses, larger independent publishers, university presses, e-book publishers, and self-published authors.
Daniel Molyneux’s historical novel, JUDAS SON OF SIMON (Moriah books) was chosen as the winner of the Christian Fiction category.
JUDAS and other works by Molyneux are available from Baker & Taylor, Cokesbury, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, christianbook.com and through your local independent bookseller.
Daniel Molyneux
Judas Son of Simon
The winners and finalists were honored June 22 at Hotel Monteleone in New Orleans, coinciding with the American Library Association Annual Conference. The awards are judged by leaders of the indie book publishing industry, including many with long careers at major publishing houses. Their love of a great read and experience in the publishing arena identify books deserving a wider audience.
Catherine Goulet, Co-Chair of the 2018 awards proudly said, "Our program has become known as the Sundance of the book publishing world." Independent book publishing companies are independent of the major conglomerates dominating the book publishing industry. Indies include: small presses, larger independent publishers, university presses, e-book publishers, and self-published authors.
Daniel Molyneux’s historical novel, JUDAS SON OF SIMON (Moriah books) was chosen as the winner of the Christian Fiction category.
JUDAS and other works by Molyneux are available from Baker & Taylor, Cokesbury, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, christianbook.com and through your local independent bookseller.
Daniel Molyneux
Judas Son of Simon
