More Than a Skeleton: It Was One Man Against the World

I have to say, a lot of people will find this book to appear unbiblical if they do not know their Scriptures exceptionally well. The Scriptures do not say, "The 2nd Coming is the final coming" - otherwise the dispensational millenialists ("Left Behind" ideology) would really be in trouble since they have at least 2 returns of Christ, the "hidden" rapture before the tribulation (book 1 in the Left Behind series), as well as the "glorious appearing" (the final book in the Left Behind series). This book is a good example of what theologians (like myself) refer to as "speculative theology" - theology based not on what Scripture says, but what Scripture has not discussed one way or the other. He asks the question: could Christ have an "intermediate return" before the "glorious appearing," but nothing like what the "Left Behind" ideology is projecting? Could the current state of Israel be about bringing forth this intermediate return, and not the final one? Or could it have nothing to do with the final return? All these questions are thrown out there for the reader to contemplate and consider. Excellent piece, well worth the money.

Paul L. Maier has done it again. His use of science and archaeology have once again blended well with theology. The return of Christ has been one of history's biggest questions. When will it occur? How? What would I do if it occured in my lifetime? These and other questions are beautifully posed in a story that captivates the reader's mind, heart, and soul. The characters are real, easy to identify with, and could have easily come off the pages of today's newspapers. Dr. Maier has spun a wonderful tale worth reading by anyone looking forward to the return of the King. William Schuh, author of Gathering Pearls

This is the most original and thought-provoking work of Christian fiction since C.S. Lewis wrote "The Great Divorce", and the best book I have read in years.I couldn't put it down and stayed up well into the night to finish it on the day I received it.Dr. Maier simply gets better and better as the years go by. This book really puts the reader in the place of the New Testament characters who encountered Jesus and considered his claims.What questions would you have asked Jesus if you had been in Nicodemus' place? Dr. Maier recreates that confrontation in this book when a skeptical historian, Jon Weber gets a personal interview with the man who claims to be the messiah.Its that sort of dynamic which made this book a literal thrill to read. Unlike most writers in the Christian Fiction camp, Dr. Maier is an acclaimed master in his field which is Ancient Roman History. He is one of the most recognized and admired Christian Scholars living. Yet he is also blessed with the rare ability to write an exciting and plausible novel.Just like C.S. Lewis, Dr. Maier is able to write brilliant works within various genres. He has even created 2 new ones, the so-called "Documented Historical Novel" containing "Pontius Pilate" and "The Flames of Rome" and the so-called "Theological Thriller" consisting of "a Skeleton in God's Closet" and now "More than just a Skeleton". Of all 4 works, which I have read many times over, I have to say this newest work was the most intriguing and fun to read.

Maier is a favorite of mine. As he demonstrates consistently, he can write and hold our attention by having well researched, layered plot veins, and then wordsmithing them into the mystery attention holder that is fast becoming his reputation with these last two novels.Dr. Jon Weber again becomes the focal point as he seeks to verify the factuality of Joshua Ben-Yosef. For 249 pages one is left in the deepening sense that the eschatological progrosticators want to take us to an intermediate state with Jesus' return. Much like the scheme of Gerzone's bestselling "Joshua" series, however, with the addition of much more reasonable theology, Maier sets Ben-Yosef as a more likely returning Messiah. Almost convinced of his authenticity, Maier suddenly leaps forward with the crack in the case which his loyal reading followers were waiting for, explodes into the work. The intricacy and reasoning behind the conspiracy and its discovery show forth the active, sophisticated and informed intellect of this author. Although I found the final resolve and public disclosure of this solution slightly more "trumped up" than his previous theological thriller with Dr. Weber, it was a riveting and enjoyable read. Interested in the topic readers might check out Philip Jenkins fine work: "Mystics and Messiahs:Cults and New Religions in American History."My only wish for this book would have been the author's resisting interjection of his own opinions concerning the troubles in our synod, i.e. Yankee Stadium comments and overal ecumenical, fellowship slants at times. However, Dr. Maier certainly with his background and accomplishments derservedly has the right to express them. This humble reviewer however expresses his regrets for their inclusion into this fine work dispelling the unbiblical "Last Things" phenomena, which somewhat distracted the overall taste for this otherwise superb fictional work.

I can well understand why one reviewer thought this book a waste of time and money. That person had a preconceived notion about what the end times should be like. Instead, we should review all novels, teaching, sermons, etc. on the basis of the Bible, read in context.I can assure you though, it is NOT a waste of time or money. In fact, you will likely have trouble putting it down. I would have completed it in one evening if I didn't have to go to bed!This book is best read in context, i.e., after reading A Skeleton in God's Closet.Read, buy and recommend this theological thriller. You don't have to be a Lutheran or a protestant to appreciate it.The author is honest about his theological bias. He is a Lutheran Christian, an ordained clegryman in the conservative, confessional, and Biblically-based Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod. The author refutes such authors like Hal Lindsay and the Left Behind series from a Biblical standpoint and a mature, well-thought-out theology that is in line with what has been historically taught in the church. The idea of a "Rapture" is foreign to Christianity pre-1830. The idea spread through travelling evangelists and study Bibles to North America.The author is correct in asserting that the majority of Christians who have ever lived, as well as a majority of Christians alive today, do not support the "rapture" as described in Left Behind and the theology called premillenial dispensationalism. Granted, majority numbers alone do not dictate theology, but they do cause one to wonder-was the church across the board wrong about the end times for 1,830 years? I think not.People are and can be easily deceived. Just because a novel or denomination claims to be Bible-based does not always guarantee that they are. Often, religious fiction is less "taken from the Bible" than "inspired by the Bible." The worldview presented in the novel is consistent with the historic Christian faith. It understands Bible verses in context, with due reverence for the literal and the symbolic, and draws meaning from the Christian Scritpures rather than reading preconcieved notions into so-called "proof passages."Look for Dr. Maier's other historical novels and excellent work on the early Church.