The Burr in the Burgh

If you have been reading Anne Rice’s novel, Christ the Lord : Out of Egypt or if you have been reading about it, you might also be interested to discover that she has a website. Go here.

I don’t share Ms. Rice’s political views. And since she is Roman Catholic, I’m sure we’d disagree in certain areas of religious dogma. But I am listing reasons below that she and her writings are important for you to know about:

• She is a huge force in American pop culture. She has millions of fans. She’s written dozens of best-selling horror novels, selling close to 100 million copies. Several of her books have been made into blockbuster movies and plays.
• She is a popular author because she is a skilled writer and storyteller. We must not underestimate the power which storytellers wield over a society.
• She has undergone a very publicized re-commitent to the Roman Catholic Church. Many of the fans of her horror books and the erotica she’s penned are unhappy about this.
• Now she has written a book about the childhood of Jesus Christ. This was a bold undertaking since the canon of Christian scripture says next to nothing about this period of the Savior’s life.
• Undaunted by the risks, Ms. Rice has produced what I consider to be a vivid portrait of the life and ways of first-century Palestinian Judaism, a background which greatly illuminates the Gospels.
• I would have made some different choices were I the author of Christ the Lord, but Ms. Rice has written a book that is orthodox, entertaining, and insightful.
• Think of the millions of people who would perhaps never ever pick up to read a book about Jesus who will now read this, simply because of the author’s fame. I believe that many people who are otherwise religiously indifferent could become captivated by the figure of Jesus and possibly, oh please, recieve a new or renewed faith.