Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal Christopher Moore
Warning:  This is NOT you typical work of Christian Fiction!

Moore uses a very earthy sense of humor to look at the missing years in life of Christ from his visit to the Temple at age twelve to his earthly ministry.  The premise is Biff helps Jesus learn how to be The Son of God.  It is apparent that the author spent time in the Bible to prepare for this novel.  Even the parts where he (through Biff) gets it wrong he shows a knowledge of what is right.

The language at times is strong like you would expect from the children of working men.  There is also an implied sexuality on the part of Biff and other characters.  However the author is very careful to show Jesus as being exactly what the Gospels claim him to be: the only begotten Son of God, who while completely human is also completely God.  It is one of the few fictional portrayals of Jesus that effectively shows him as being the proper balance of sentimental yet masculine.  Avoiding the effeminate stereotype that is much over used.  There are Christians I wouldn't recommend this book to, however, it could be an excellent conversation starter for witnessing to a Seeker.

Up