Matthew's Story (The Jesus Chronicles) [Hardcover]

Tim LaHaye (Author), Jerry B. Jenkins (Author)

Book Description

Series: The Jesus Chronicles | Publication Date: February 18, 2010

The new novel in the Jesus Chronicles, the bestselling series from the authors of the Left Behind novels.

Levi was studying to be a priest, but when an unspeakable tragedy befalls his family, he turns his back on his faith and decides to pursue riches and luxury instead. He becomes a tax collector, disappointing his family and reviled by Jews and Romans alike. And although he is a success, his chosen trade does not bring him contentment. When he hears about Jesus, the man who some are saying is the prophesied Messiah, he begins a quest that leads him to question his very existence. As he follows Jesus and records His words and deeds, Levi is shaken to the core and transformed. Renamed "Matthew" by Jesus-literally "gift from God"-he is called to give up his work and his worldly possessions and claims Jesus as his Lord.

Matthew's Story is a novel that brings to life the most unlikely of apostles-a sinner-turned-saint-and his time with the Lord. Thrilling and uplifting, Matthew's Story shows how the true Messiah changed the life of one man, and forever altered the course of history.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Tim LaHaye is a noted author, minister, and nationally recognized speaker on Bible prophecy. He is the founder and president of Tim LaHaye Ministries and the cofounder of the Pre-Trib Research Center. A pastor for forty years, LaHaye has written more than fifty nonfiction books and coauthored the Left Behind novels, the most successful Christian fiction venture in publishing history, with Jerry Jenkins.
Jerry B. Jenkins, chairman of the board of trustees for the Moody Bible Institute of Chicago, is the author of more than 175 books. He is a contributing enditor to Writer's Digest magazine. He owns Jenkins Entertainment,a filmmaking company, as well as the Christian Writers Guild.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Putnam Adult (February 18, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399156216
• ISBN-13: 978-0399156212
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #334,354 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dr. Tim LaHaye (www.timlahaye.com), who conceived the idea of fictionalizing an account of the Rapture and the Tribulation, is a noted author, minister, and nationally recognized speaker on Bible prophecy. He is the founder of both Tim LaHaye Ministries and The PreTrib Research Center. He also recently cofounded the Tim LaHaye School of Prophecy at Liberty University. Presently Dr. LaHaye speaks at many Bible prophecy conferences in the U.S. and Canada, where his current prophecy books are very popular.

Dr. LaHaye holds a doctor of ministry degree from Western Theological Seminary and a doctor of literature degree from Liberty University. For 25 years he pastored one of the nation's outstanding churches in San Diego, which grew to three locations. It was during that time that he founded two accredited Christian high schools, a Christian school system of ten schools, and San Diego Christian College (formerly known as Christian Heritage College).

Dr. LaHaye has written over 50 non-fiction books and co-authored 25 fiction books, many of which have been translated into 34 languages. He has written books on a wide variety of subjects, such as family life, temperaments, and Bible prophecy. His most popular fiction works, the Left Behind series, written with Jerry B. Jenkins, continue to appear on the best-seller lists of the Christian Booksellers Association, "Publishers Weekly," the "Wall Street Journal," "USA Today," and the "New York Times."

Another popular series by LaHaye and Jenkins is The Jesus Chronicles. This four-book fiction series gives readers a rich first century experience as John, Mark, Luke, and Matthew recount thrilling accounts of the life of Jesus. Dr. LaHaye is co-author of another fiction series, Babylon Rising. Each of the four titles in this series have debuted in the top 10 on the New York Times best seller list. These are suspense thrillers with thought-provoking messages.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins use a contemporary interpretation to tell Matthew's Story, February 26, 2010

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Matthew's Story (The Jesus Chronicles) (Hardcover)

In Bet Guvrin, eight years old Levi diligently studies to become a priest. He is a happy child who loves God, his parents and adores his baby brother Chavivi. One night soldiers of Herod the Great arrive at his home and kill his sibling; as they have all killed all infant males since the Magi claimed the Christ was born. Herod insists he is the King of the Jews and not some pretender.

Levi still believed in God but his adulation turned to loathing as he blames the Lord for his baby brother's death. He rejects the priesthood and instead becomes a Roman tax collector. His people detest him as he becomes wealthy at their expense, but he feels empty inside until he meets Jesus. He becomes his disciple and changes his name to Matthew and follows him loyally. Jesus tells him he will feel the pain Matthew felt when He follows his Father's wishes.

Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins use a contemporary interpretation to tell Matthew's Story, a disciple who transformed from youthful pious believer, to odious sinner to saint thanks in part to Jesus. The use of modern day vernacular makes it easier on the audience to understand the message and power of Christ especially in altering Matthew's life; though in fairness some readers might question free will. As with Mark, Luke and John, Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins provide a strong biblical biographical fictional account of a disciple of Jesus.

Harriet Klausner

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars FICTION BUT WELL RESEARCHED AND ENLIGHTENING, May 2, 2010

By 

Pat in Duncanville "Pat" (Duncanville Hoosier) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Matthew's Story (The Jesus Chronicles) (Hardcover)

These books, "The Jesus Chronicles" by Tim LaHaye, are excellent. They help place the gospels in their proper historical perspective and give a new sense of excitement to reading the bible! I highly recommend these books!

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Matthew's Story is the 4th of The Jesus Chronicles, June 6, 2010

By 

Patience ~ Christian/Thriller Author (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Matthew's Story (The Jesus Chronicles) (Hardcover)

Another great series from the Left Behind authors Jerry Jenkins and Tim LaHaye.

If you enjoy biblical historical fiction like me, you should like this book! "Matthew's Story" helps you visualize how the people in the Bible might have been like and how they handled various trials during Jesus time. It is about Levi who is later renamed Matthew "gift from God" by Jesus, who was studying to become a priest when a turn of events takes place he decides to become a tax collector. His life changes when he meets Jesus.

The real Matthew was a Galilean born in First Century Judea. He collected taxes from the Hebrew people for Herod Antipas. Jesus called Matthew to be one of the Twelve Disciples. As a disciple, he followed Christ, and was one of the witnesses of the Resurrection and the Ascension.

Patience Prence Author SCARS: An End-Times Novel