The Christ Trial

by Roger Dixon

Based on the original story by Basil Bova & Roger Dixon

Genres: Christian

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1973

Reviews

[MaryBlessing Umeh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very very amazing, captivating and lovely

[Anne Harvey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I came across this book (not to be mistaken for a later book of the same title by Rowan Williams) in a second-hand book shop. I loved it the first time I read it and a second reading didn’t disappoint. First published in 1974 (although I note that a Kindle edition is now available and I've only been able to include that edition) it is inevitably a little dated in places. Following a near-brush with death, American TV producer Lee Harrison, has the idea of putting Jesus on trial as to whether he is the son of God in a modern courtroom. After some struggles to gain sponsorship, the event is due to take place on TV over the Easter weekend, using ordinary people to play the major characters. However, Jesus is due to be played by renegade actor, John Burnard, with a Catholic priest playing Judas Iscariot. All seems to be going well, with the show attracting high viewing figures, until a major change occurs and the outcome doesn’t work out as planned. As the book concludes, Lee admits that there is always one question that shall remain unanswered. In this case, it is who is the mysterious stranger playing Jesus Christ?