Daniel Molyneux's Blog - Posts Tagged "christian-fiction"
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
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...
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
