The Masada Scroll [Mass Market Paperback]

Paul Block (Author), Robert Vaughan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 27, 2007

In the great tradition of novels like The Robe by Lloyd C. Douglas and, more recently, Christ the Lord by Anne Rice and Stone Tables by Orson Scott Card, The Masada Scroll is bold and reverent, with deep and important meaning for today's world.
 
At the heart of this timely novel is the discovery of a previously unknown gospel that predates the four gospels of the New Testament. The scroll introduces a mysterious symbol that combines the Star of David, the Cross of Christianity and the Crescent and Star of Islam. None of these symbols existed at the time the Gospel was written, adding to the mystery that Michael Flannery, an Irish priest, must unravel.
 
Flannery discovers that the symbol represents the Trevia Dei, or Three Paths to God. At the heart of Jesus' message is the unity of the paths that lead to God. The true meaning of Trevia Dei has become perverted over the centuries, turning the message of unity into a single path to salvation.
 
But there are those who do not want the message of this wonderful book of light and love brought to our troubled world, who have chosen to separate rather than unite God's children.
 
The Masada Scroll is the story of the new Apostles who struggle to bring the simple message of Jesus back into a world desperate for joy.
 
The Masada Scroll is a tale of the timeless quest for spiritual truth and redemption. It is a story that will change the way you look at the world…and your own heart.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

A Catholic priest, an American scholar, and a nice Jewish girl mull over the significance of an ancient document unearthed at the site of Israel's to-the-last-man stand against the Romans. The scroll is the long-theorized "Q" document--an eyewitness, written account of the life of Jesus. The message of the scroll is "trevia dei," or that there are three paths to God--Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. Thus Jesus could become the modern-day prophet of world peace, but naturally, there's an extremist Catholic group that wants to suppress the truth. Block and Vaughan offer up cliche after cliche, but they also include a great deal of arcane knowledge, perhaps even enough to satisfy Da Vinci Code fans.

John Mort
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"An exhilarating blend of relentless adventure, scholarly intrigue and cutting wit…"--Newswire Today on The Masada Scroll

"The Masada Scroll speaks a strong message that whether one follows Christianity, Islam or Judaism, all paths lead to God, and it is this message that makes The Masada Scroll a deeply moving novel that can be appreciated by all who pick it up."--TCM Reviews  

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Tor Books; 1st edition (November 27, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0765351846
• ISBN-13: 978-0765351845
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,504,717 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Journey in time and faith, February 22, 2007

By 

Reader "In New Jersey" (West Orange, New Jersey) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Masada Scroll (Hardcover)

A wonderful, transporting book. Any truly good novel will quickly invite the reader into another world, whether it is historically based or pure fantasy -- will offer an escape from the "real" world and a memorable experience based on the author's imagination. In THE MASADA SCROLL, it seems two authors have collaborated on this very rich, moving story that moves back in forth in time. I found myself completely engrossed in both the present-day story and the ancient world of Israel in the time of the Roman destruction of the nation, after Christ. I cannot recommend this novel more highly for readers who love thrillers and religious fiction and historical novels. Block and Vaughan are writers who make faith come alive through a marvelous cast of characters. I feel fortunate that I read it; it will stick with me for a long time to come.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Kudos to The Masada Scroll, March 4, 2007

By 

Ragnar (New Mexico USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Masada Scroll (Hardcover)

Block and Vaughan are to be commended for a gripping story with timeless relevance for today's reader. Their exploration of the story of the "good thief" crucified with Christ, and the thief's son's role in the formation of the early Christian church resonates with realism. The interweaving of past and present keeps one turning the pages to find out what happens next. At the book's core is the thought-provoking and potentially controversial idea that Jews, Christians and Muslims may each find their own way to the One God.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Supposition about Q, August 1, 2007

By 

S. Simpson "Wynn Simpson" (Franklin, TN United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Masada Scroll (Hardcover)

This "novel" purports to be a rendering of the backstory of the discovery of the Q document at Masada. The characters are not well drawn. The book contains a lot of movie effects such as shootings, cars blowing up, suicide and the like without establishing the emotional thrust needed to justify itself.

Finally the authors put the supposed manuscript in an author's note, yet provide nothing in the way of authentication. Has someone really discovered the Q document? If so, it is a major theological find.

This books leaves the reader with more questions than it answers. Not recommended. Read Foucault's Pendulum by Umberto Eco. It is difficult but more inspiring.