Customer Reviews

THE LOST EPISTLE OF JESUS

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"The Lost Epistle of Jesus" is a very good first effort for first time novelist Evan Howard. Howard builds his story around two brothers, Dismas and Gabriel, and the woman they both love, Judith. The story begins with Judith, about to wed Gabriel, running off with Dismas who was leaving Jerusalem to join the Zealots. The Zealots were determined to drive the Romans from Israel and return it to the true worship of God.

Judith's little brother, Reuban, had been killed one year earlier by the Romans, leaving her angry and contemptuous of the Romans. She was also infatuated with Dismas. "She could not resist the wildness she saw in his eyes." Her hate of the Jews and her lust for Dismas were enough to choose a drastic change in her path - running off with Dismas on the night before her wedding. And Dismas, by taking Judith, took everything that gave meaning to his brother's life - the woman he loved, his honor, and his hope for the future.

Once the book's foundation is set, the story then traces the life journey of each as they encountered real life, the secret letter (the epistle) authored by Jesus, and Jesus himself. Each sees the epistle and is changed by it. And each encounters Jesus where they are in their life - Gabriel as Jesus preached, Judith as she was imprisoned, and Dismas as he was crucified.

Mary Magdelene, Nicodemus, Judas, Barabbas, several of the Apostles, and Jesus' mother, Mary, play important supporting roles. And Howard mixes in the message of Jesus, "Jesus had used his pain as an instrument to teach and heal others," to make sure we do not leave empty handed.

Howard serves as the full time pastor for the Community Church of Providence, Rhode Island. After "The Lost Epistle," one can only imagine the stories he tells from the pulpit there... His sermons must be something very special.

Evan Drake Howard has embarked on a fresh search for the message within the story of Jesus and his ministry, using insights gained in psychology, especially depth and gender psychology. Wrapped within a fast-moving plot, and interweaving New Testament as well as fictional figures, he finds a Jesus who struggles with his deep love for Mary Magdalene, but who has transcended that with a surpassing love. So powerful is the spirit that emerges from his heeding this new love and writing it into his epistle--a tome later lost to history--that any who are troubled and who read it are profoundly transformed by its message and seek radically different ways of knowing themselves and acting.

As someone who has spent a great deal of time trying to understand and accurately portray the demon-and-spirit driven mind and context of first-century Jews, early Christians, and their Roman occupiers, (see The Passion of Maryam) it took me a while to get used to Evan Howard's characters sounding a bit "New Age-y". But clearly there is much to be gained from the Lost Epistle that Evan Howard finds in this depiction of the period late in Jesus' ministry and beyond. Reverend Howard's heart is clearly drawn to that mind and spirit of Jesus which taught alternatives to violence as being squarely in the path of God's love. The famous scene involving the Temple moneychangers in which the acts of the Zealots intersect with Jesus' own enactments there is wonderfully ironic and contrapuntal.

My one quibble is that "The Lost Epistle of Jesus" makes it hard to appreciate the depth of Jesus' Judaism, and that of the other conspicuously Jewish characters. Admittedly, it is extremely hard to balance a portrayal of Jesus' respect for and adherence to the Law with his call for his fulfilling it and extending it into the reaches of God's Kingdom. That said, this is clearly a well-researched book, beginning both with Nicodemus, Pharisee and member of the Sanhedrin, and with Dismas, traditionally "the good thief" whom Jesus forgave on the cross and welcomed into his Kingdom. These characters come to life as their fates interweave with the one who becomes the Christ.

This novel may rankle some who want to see Jesus merely in terms of his sacrifice on behalf of mankind, and/or put off by his struggle about the nature of his love for the Magdalene, but it will be savored by any who want to expand an understanding of additional, important messages that those willing to search will find within the Gospel's texts.

I started off wondering why Evan Howard detailed so much description with each character until I came to the other man on the cross in this "Ben Hur" epic-type book (it would make a great movie). When I read about the other man on the cross, I knew it was me and I wept, especially after I heard Jesus's words to my heart. -Brent Neumark, businessman, Northern Idaho

Evan Howard clearly has two callings, one Pastoral and the other to the written word.There is an art to storytelling and clearly Howard has learned there is indeed something remarkable in the telling itself. One is drawn to his writing style and engaged throughout. He has mastered the art of writing conversation -- no easy task. I was given this book by a friend who perceived a need, it was indeed a timely and valuable gift.

Normally, I shy away from "Religious" based novels, I find that many such novels have an extreme bias about them that tends to shun other religions or make explainations or excuses for the atrocities performed in the name of religion. However, this one was recommended to me by someone whom I have a great deal of respect for. So when she suggested that I might like this book, I read it, and to my surprise I enjoyed it thoroughly.

Reading some of the previous reviews will give you a taste for the plot of the story so I won't waste time retelling the story. What I found most interesting about Evan's book is the teaching on becoming whole with our male and female sides. This is a concept that is found in some of the Gnostic texts as well as the writings of C.G. Jung. Evan has a unique gift for writing and developing the characters. The New Testament tells the story of Jesus' last few weeks from the point of view of the Disciples, The Last Epistle of Jesus, tell the story from the point of view of many of the secondary characters in the Bible. Hence, we get to experience the New Testament through the characters of Mary Magdalene, Nicodemus, the Zeolots, etc. I found it very reminiscent of the play "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead" which is the back story of the characters in Hamlet.


As the book closes, the stage is set for another book. I don't know when it will be released, but when it is I will be at the front of the line to buy it!

The Last Epistle of Jesus was recommended to me by a family member. From the moment I opened it and read the first page I was HOOKED!!! I grew up Catholic and came to know many of the stories of Jesus...I appreciated how "down to earth" the story was and the different prospectives the writer gave - from the energetic and confused Zealot, to the former female Zealot who experienced Jesus and whose life was changed by him. It is an honest and exciting story and a journey through the eyes of Christ's followers - both those who were convinced by him and those who were not. It was so refreshing to experience both sides of the coin in this book. IT'S A KEEPER!!!!!!!!!!!! (Oh, and I'd read it again in a heartbeat!!!)

I fully enjoyed Evan Howard's book, "The Lost Epistle of Jesus"! It was well-written and grabbed my attention right away. I loved the way he wove Mary Magdalene into the story, making me wonder which direction he would take her relationship with Jesus, right from the beginning. I was hooked and would have followed the story for that reason alone. But there was more. The picture of Christ, and his process of coming to terms with his purpose, was thought provoking and created an opening for self-reflection and learning. The main characters were interesting and threaded throughout the story with twists and turns. They were real, human, and vulnerable. I must admit, once I opened the book, I was in for the ride. I believe only a couple of days passed before I sadly put it down. I can always tell a good book by the pang of loss I feel when I read the last page.

In 30 AD Judith Silva is betrothed to successful merchant Gabriel Latronum but is in love with his older brother Dismas who joined the cause of the Zealots. She believes in their cause of chasing the Romans out of Judea because her younger brother was run over by a chariot by centurions who never stopped to help. Her hatred and revenge fills her heart for the Roman conquerors and decides to elope with Dismas and join the Zealots led by Barabbas in Quman.

Gabriel is heartbroken and decides to kill himself by jumping off the Temple but the Pharisee Nicodemus, a member of the council that rules on Jewish law, saves him from his folly. He talks about the Epistle Jesus wrote to him and explains that it tells people to forgive themselves so they can forgive others. Judith has become disillusioned with the Zealot cause and reads the epistle she and Dismas stole from Nicademus' home. The letters transforms her and gives her the strength to leave Dismas. Gabriel who wants to meet the writer of the epistle meets Mary Magdalene and saves her from two would be rapists. She loves Jesus as he does her but he will not consummate that love because he has is a different calling but through their love he understands and teaches why men and women struggle when they should be concerned with first loving each other spiritually.

THE LOST EPISTLE is the story of a man and a woman whose struggles mirror that of Jesus and Mary Magdalene. This is an exciting story filled with biblical history that is part of the New Testament. Readers see the human and the divine sides of Jesus and the love of Mary Magdalene for a man who loves her in the way all people need to be cherished. Her lessons from him are mirrored in Judith's spiritual journey. Gabriel has to learn the same lessons as Judith if he wants to make a life with her.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Leslie Granier for Reader Views (7/07)


"The Lost Epistle of Jesus" is a powerful, and heart-wrenching, recounting of Jesus Christ's final days on earth and how his messages of peace and forgiveness affected those who followed his teachings. It focuses on a young woman named Judith who becomes involved in scandal and betrayal. When her life seems hopeless, she is shown an epistle written by Jesus and finds hope that she can change her life and make amends to those she has hurt. The book also prominently features Mary Magdalene's relationship with Jesus and how she had to struggle to accept her place in his life.

Howard's descriptive writing style allows the reader to become personally involved in the story. I could picture the scenes he was writing about, as well as feel the characters' joy and pain. The scenes that told of the crucifixion broke my heart even though I have heard this story since I was a child. I felt as if I was one of the people there watching what was happening. In the back of the book, there are several "questions for personal reflection and group study." The inclusion of these questions and situations will be beneficial to reading groups and to Bible study classes. These questions require some deep thought and force the reader to put himself into the mindset of several characters to help understand their actions and decisions.

This book is written for Christians as well as anyone who is interested in learning more about Christianity. It should be read by adults only as there are some concepts young people may have difficulty understanding. Women will enjoy it because in some ways it is reminiscent of a soap opera -- only it is set over two-thousand years ago. As a devout Catholic, I enjoyed the author's addressing of some questions I have had. Howard provided details of why Judas Iscariot wanted to betray Jesus (and it was not for thirty pieces of silver). He also provided information as to who the other two men on the cross were. Howard emphasizes the important roles women played as Jesus' disciples. I also found it interesting how Jesus was often described as "awkward" looking. I have never heard of him portrayed this way.

Anyone who is interested in learning more about Jesus Christ's messages and teachings should read "The Lost Epistle of Jesus." It is an inspirational book which shows that sometimes suffering is necessary to achieve great rewards.

Book received free of charge

The Lost Epistle of Jesus is an imaginative, exciting, and gripping novel combining the words of Jesus with fictional situations and characters mingled with real people from the Bible. When a bride flees her arranged marriage on her wedding morning and joins the Zealots we learn about their loves, hatreds, and customs and how some of them are changed when they read a fictional letter by Jesus telling of his beliefs. Fully developed personalities and a thoughtful portrayal of Mary Magdalene's friendship with Jesus are a likely alternative to the plot of the Da Vinci Code, which I also enjoyed. Questions for group discussion are listed at the end of the book, making it an ideal book for adult and young adult study groups. This telling portrays faithful Christian teachings and attitudes on which to ponder as we see how people are treated today.