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The Tax Collector’s Good News: A NOVEL OF THE CREATION OF MATTHEW’S GOSPEL
For centuries, biblical historians have pondered the enigmatic origins of the Gospel of Matthew, the foundational text capturing the adult life of Jesus of Nazareth. With no original manuscripts discovered, speculation abounds, with the earliest known fragment dating back to 260 CE. Now, amidst shifting scholarly consensus, a riveting narrative emerges to explore the genesis of this pivotal scripture.
Enter a turbulent era in the Roman Empire, where Jews are dispersing throughout the Eastern Mediterranean, leaving Israel behind. Amidst this backdrop, our fictional protagonist, the son of Matthew, emerges as a key figure shepherding the production of the Gospel. As a man of his time, he grapples with the complexities of faith, identity, and divine inspiration.
In this evocative novel, the mysteries surrounding the Gospel's authorship, language, and divine influence unfold against a rich tapestry of historical detail. From the bustling streets of ancient Israel to the corridors of power in Rome, readers are transported to a world teetering on the brink of transformation.
As the narrative unfolds, the reader is immersed in the lives, beliefs, and aspirations of the people who shaped early Christianity. Through vivid storytelling, the Gospel comes to life, resonating across cultures and continents, transcending time and space.
Blending meticulous research with imaginative speculation, "The Shepherd of Matthew" offers a compelling exploration of faith, community, and the enduring power of scripture. While it may be a work of fiction, its insights into the genesis of the Gospel invite readers to ponder the prophetic potential of this timeless text.
Enter a turbulent era in the Roman Empire, where Jews are dispersing throughout the Eastern Mediterranean, leaving Israel behind. Amidst this backdrop, our fictional protagonist, the son of Matthew, emerges as a key figure shepherding the production of the Gospel. As a man of his time, he grapples with the complexities of faith, identity, and divine inspiration.
In this evocative novel, the mysteries surrounding the Gospel's authorship, language, and divine influence unfold against a rich tapestry of historical detail. From the bustling streets of ancient Israel to the corridors of power in Rome, readers are transported to a world teetering on the brink of transformation.
As the narrative unfolds, the reader is immersed in the lives, beliefs, and aspirations of the people who shaped early Christianity. Through vivid storytelling, the Gospel comes to life, resonating across cultures and continents, transcending time and space.
Blending meticulous research with imaginative speculation, "The Shepherd of Matthew" offers a compelling exploration of faith, community, and the enduring power of scripture. While it may be a work of fiction, its insights into the genesis of the Gospel invite readers to ponder the prophetic potential of this timeless text.
316 pages, Hardcover
Published May 28, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 9, 2024
This is a historical fiction novel that covers that covers some of the background to the creation of the Gospel of Matthew. This book stands out in the historical fiction genre due to its religious themes and exploration of early Christian history. Compared to other historical fiction novels, "The Tax Collector's Good News" offers a unique perspective by intertwining religious narratives with historical events, providing readers with a deeper understanding of the Gospel's origins.
I was interested in the book because I had watched the TV series The Chosen, which depicts how Matthew leaves his lucrative position as a tax collector to become one of Jesus' disciples. This book explains that Matthew's family was at first upset over Matthew's decision to do this since they had paid dearly to get the position for him, a practice that continues to this day in many poor countries. By the beginning of this book, Matthew's youngest son, Matti, is the main protagonist. Like all early Christians, Matti was brought up in the Jewish traditions and institutional structure. For much of the book, the Gospel of Matthew is in the background, referred to as an invaluable, initial draft document written on parchment and stored in a clay pot. Israel was in turmoil during the period of the book as Jewish rebels fought their Roman occupiers. Since Matti's family was wealthy largely because they were traders enabling the Romans to obtain the high-value goods they desired, the family lived with the constant risk of being attacked by the rebels as collaborators or by common criminal raiders whenever they were traveling long distances. Due to these challenges, particularly in and around Jerusalem, the Romans set up other trading centers to ensure a secure supply of valuable products from Egypt, Central Asia and India to the Roman occupiers, and to Rome itself.
Much of the book describes the difficult process for Matti and his extended family leaving Jerusalem for these new towns: first Caesarea Maritima and then Antioch. It was there that the Gospel of Matthew and some of the other Gospels, in something resembling their current form, were prepared. The book makes clear how little was written down at the time, and what was written was in many different languages, and on fragile materials. Thus, interpreting and reporting the original words of Jesus and his apostles to a more permanent and coherent form, was a continuing challenge. The book also describes a vetting process, where Matti has to make many editorial decisions along the way of getting approval for the final version by Jewish Christian notables in Antioch.
Towards the end of the period covered by the book, the Second Temple, a landmark for 500 years in Jerusalem, was destroyed by the Romans after being occupied by the Romans in 70 CE. Following this, most Jews were exiled from Jerusalem and Israel until the 20th century.
I was interested in the book because I had watched the TV series The Chosen, which depicts how Matthew leaves his lucrative position as a tax collector to become one of Jesus' disciples. This book explains that Matthew's family was at first upset over Matthew's decision to do this since they had paid dearly to get the position for him, a practice that continues to this day in many poor countries. By the beginning of this book, Matthew's youngest son, Matti, is the main protagonist. Like all early Christians, Matti was brought up in the Jewish traditions and institutional structure. For much of the book, the Gospel of Matthew is in the background, referred to as an invaluable, initial draft document written on parchment and stored in a clay pot. Israel was in turmoil during the period of the book as Jewish rebels fought their Roman occupiers. Since Matti's family was wealthy largely because they were traders enabling the Romans to obtain the high-value goods they desired, the family lived with the constant risk of being attacked by the rebels as collaborators or by common criminal raiders whenever they were traveling long distances. Due to these challenges, particularly in and around Jerusalem, the Romans set up other trading centers to ensure a secure supply of valuable products from Egypt, Central Asia and India to the Roman occupiers, and to Rome itself.
Much of the book describes the difficult process for Matti and his extended family leaving Jerusalem for these new towns: first Caesarea Maritima and then Antioch. It was there that the Gospel of Matthew and some of the other Gospels, in something resembling their current form, were prepared. The book makes clear how little was written down at the time, and what was written was in many different languages, and on fragile materials. Thus, interpreting and reporting the original words of Jesus and his apostles to a more permanent and coherent form, was a continuing challenge. The book also describes a vetting process, where Matti has to make many editorial decisions along the way of getting approval for the final version by Jewish Christian notables in Antioch.
Towards the end of the period covered by the book, the Second Temple, a landmark for 500 years in Jerusalem, was destroyed by the Romans after being occupied by the Romans in 70 CE. Following this, most Jews were exiled from Jerusalem and Israel until the 20th century.
May 29, 2024
Hey there, history buffs and religious thrill-seekers! Get ready to embark on an epic journey through time with The Tax Collector’s Good News! This ain't your grandma's bedtime story; this is a pulse-pounding adventure that'll have you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. With its blend of historical detail and imaginative speculation, this book isn't just a novel — it's a wild ride through ancient Israel and the corridors of power in Rome. So buckle up, grab your toga, and get ready for a religious rollercoaster like no other! 📜🎢
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June 5, 2024The Tax Collector’s Good News is a unique blend of historical speculation and religious insight that had me hooked from the first page. Exploring the mysteries surrounding the Gospel of Matthew's origins, this novel offers a rich tapestry of historical detail and imaginative storytelling. What I enjoyed most about reading it was how it brought ancient times to life, making me feel like I was right there alongside the characters as they grappled with faith, identity, and divine inspiration.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews