SOLVED. Dystopian fiction with religious themes in an ice age; Jonathan Christian? [s]

[Caroline]

Hey all! This has been bugging me for months; I'm hoping someone can shed some light.

I read this book sometime between 2002 and 2005; it was a trade paperback, beige cover, my father loaned it to me (he's since passed away, or I'd ask him). The paperback was worn, so I'm guessing it was published between 1960-1990. It had the artistic look of a book from those decades.

Genre: Adult Fiction, Dystopia, Religious, Christianity

Plot Details: One of the opening scenes has the main character returning from (work? shopping?) to his house in the northeast US (Connecticut sounds familiar). He's in his 20's or 30's and lives with his family -- mother, father, couple of adult siblings -- and it's *very* snowy and cold. There's been an event that's caused the majority of the world to experience an extended winter.

I don't know that we're ever given the catalyst for the event, but most people are living in these conditions. Some have moved south to Mexico, where it's warmer, but most can't afford to, and there's overcrowding. Overall, the United States are in a dire situation, and people are feeling hopeless.

The main character's initials are J C. He becomes a Christ-like martyr, chosen by figures in the government to bring hope to the rest of the country. I think he walks across the country to spread the message, and this eventually kills him.

I keep thinking the main character's name is Jonathan Christian, but he doesn't go by that name for the majority of the story. I distinctly remember the government people commenting on the fact that his initials are J C and the parallels with Jesus Christ.

None of the search terms are particularly unique so I haven't been able to find this on Google/Goodreads/various book lists. I'm posting here with the hope that someone else has read this book and recognizes the plot.

Many thanks!

[Kris]

Sounds like A Creed for the Third Millennium by Colleen McCullough. The man is called Joshua Christian and the female is Dr. Judith Carriol.

[Caroline]

Kris wrote: "Sounds like A Creed for the Third Millennium by Colleen McCullough. The man is called Joshua Christian and the female is Dr. Judith Carriol."

That's it! Thank you, thank you, thank you. :)

[Kris]

You're welcome. :)