Sunday, October 09, 2005
A Skeleton in God's Closet by Paul L. Maier
This was the first "Christian" fiction books I ever read. My wife reads them all the time and absolutely loves them. I've always thought that they were pretty much sub-par to other fiction books (mainly in plot, creativity, and preachiness.) I've still only read about four of five and will almost always choose a different book to read.
That being said (actually, typed), this book breaks the mold. It is written and constructed as well as any fiction on the market; Christian or secular. (What really makes a book "Christian" anyway?)
Dr. Jonathan Weber is a Harvard professor and biblical scholar. He is spending his sabbatical year on an archaeological dig when a shocking discovery shakes the world to its religious core. I won't reveal the plot, but think about the one archaeological discovery that would bring Christianity to its knees. The world suffers the effects and begins to crumble. Eventually, the crisis is brought to a conclusion through a very unpredictable plot twist.
As I reflect on this book, I've noticed that there are remarkable similarities with The DaVinci Code. The lead characters have striking similarities and both deal in technical disciplines. The difference is that the DaVinci Code pretty much tries to destroy Christianity while Skeleton eventually affirms it. I guess you could say that Skeleton is a faith affirming journey into the same questions that DaVinci Code delves into. For the Christian who doesn't want to support the ideas that DaVinci espouses, this is a very acceptable alternative. Overall, a very enjoyable read.
Rating: 3 Stars
