Customer Reviews

More Than a Skeleton: It Was One Man Against the World

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This is the most original and thought-provoking work of Christian fiction since C.S. Lewis wrote "The Great Divorce", and the best book I have read in years.

I couldn't put it down and stayed up well into the night to finish it on the day I received it.

Dr. Maier simply gets better and better as the years go by. This book really puts the reader in the place of the New Testament characters who encountered Jesus and considered his claims.

What questions would you have asked Jesus if you had been in Nicodemus' place? Dr. Maier recreates that confrontation in this book when a skeptical historian, Jon Weber gets a personal interview with the man who claims to be the messiah.

Its that sort of dynamic which made this book a literal thrill to read. Unlike most writers in the Christian Fiction camp, Dr. Maier is an acclaimed master in his field which is Ancient Roman History. He is one of the most recognized and admired Christian Scholars living. Yet he is also blessed with the rare ability to write an exciting and plausible novel.

Just like C.S. Lewis, Dr. Maier is able to write brilliant works within various genres. He has even created 2 new ones, the so-called "Documented Historical Novel" containing "Pontius Pilate" and "The Flames of Rome" and the so-called "Theological Thriller" consisting of "a Skeleton in God's Closet" and now "More than just a Skeleton". Of all 4 works, which I have read many times over, I have to say this newest work was the most intriguing and fun to read.

Maier is a favorite of mine. As he demonstrates consistently, he can write and hold our attention by having well researched, layered plot veins, and then wordsmithing them into the mystery attention holder that is fast becoming his reputation with these last two novels.

Dr. Jon Weber again becomes the focal point as he seeks to verify the factuality of Joshua Ben-Yosef. For 249 pages one is left in the deepening sense that the eschatological progrosticators want to take us to an intermediate state with Jesus' return. Much like the scheme of Gerzone's bestselling "Joshua" series, however, with the addition of much more reasonable theology, Maier sets Ben-Yosef as a more likely returning Messiah. Almost convinced of his authenticity, Maier suddenly leaps forward with the crack in the case which his loyal reading followers were waiting for, explodes into the work.

The intricacy and reasoning behind the conspiracy and its discovery show forth the active, sophisticated and informed intellect of this author. Although I found the final resolve and public disclosure of this solution slightly more "trumped up" than his previous theological thriller with Dr. Weber, it was a riveting and enjoyable read. Interested in the topic readers might check out Philip Jenkins fine work: "Mystics and Messiahs:Cults and New Religions in American History."

My only wish for this book would have been the author's resisting interjection of his own opinions concerning the troubles in our synod, i.e. Yankee Stadium comments and overal ecumenical, fellowship slants at times. However, Dr. Maier certainly with his background and accomplishments derservedly has the right to express them. This humble reviewer however expresses his regrets for their inclusion into this fine work dispelling the unbiblical "Last Things" phenomena, which somewhat distracted the overall taste for this otherwise superb fictional work.

Paul L. Maier's A SKELETON IN GOD'S CLOSET found theologian Dr. Jonathan Weber involved in an archaeological dig; such a dig opens his latest novel, MORE THAN A SKELETON (with its tag line of "It was one man against the world.") Here, a small but significant find at that dig draws Weber over to Israel and finds him interested in a young man who has begun to captivate the world beyond Jerusalem: Joshua Ben-Yosef, whose personal traits, curriculum vitae and Apostles-like band of followers have already convinced many people that he is The Christ.

Maier, a specialist in ancient Rome, is a personally conservative but intellectually liberal academic who has clearly modeled his protagonist on himself: when fundamentalist preacher and television personality Dr. Melvin Merton begins to espouse Ben-Yosef as Christ in his Second Coming, Jon Weber's well-credentialed hackles rise almost instantly. If this really is Jesus, where are His miracles? Where is His death and resurrection? While Shannon Weber seems to fall under Ben-Yosef's spell as her husband doesn't (causing inevitable conflict in their sunny-side-up marriage), Jon waits for Proof.

He doesn't have to wait long, since Ben-Yosef starts evincing not just run-of-the-mill miracles, but miracles that nearly replicate those in The Gospels. Water into wine, becalmed seas, and a blind man seeing are all not just run-of-the-mill miracles, but so close to The Gospels that they confirm Ben-Yosef's status for so many people that the world media begins to pay attention --- very, very close attention --- to the man who would be the Messiah. Soon, as his research attempts into Ben-Yosef's past point again and again to the probability of his telling the truth, Weber himself begins to believe.

Maier has a brilliant premise for a plot, but his academic execution of pacing, dialogue and setting mean that some readers will drop off before the going gets interesting. Professor Maier has clearly modeled his protagonist on himself, and perhaps his well-credentialed self was well-intentioned --- but Jon Weber speaks stiffly and unnaturally both when he's whispering sweet nothings into Shannon's slightly-too-perfect ear and when he's chatting heartily with his colleagues. On the other hand, sometimes Maier is dead-on accurate and even funny, as when Weber's father tells him that his mother is at a Lutheran ladies' get-together: "I hope the coffee, cookies, and green Jell-O are good!"

The plot has its problems, too: it's very hard to believe that in the post-millennium "global village," Ben-Yosef and his merry men would be able to hide out so effectively and so often --- even if he is the real thing, surely Christ walked more often among the people. And unless Maier meant to tip his hand, the interaction between Ben-Yosef and Shannon seems wrong.

Nonetheless, MORE THAN A SKELETON is entertaining, informative and refreshing, about as different from the Left Behind series as you can get while still staying within the realm of Christianity and Christian questions. Perhaps Maier will write more thrillers and gain more authority with the elements of suspense writing so that his smart, thoughtful stories will be supported by tight, fresh writing.

--- Reviewed by Bethanne Kelly Patrick

I just had this book delivered and had it finished four days later. The reason it took four days is because I spent the previous two days reading "A Skeleton in God's Closet" also by Paul Maier.

The story is about a present day man who claims to be the returned Jesus and how Jonathan Weber tries to verify this.

I found myself asking the question, "How would I have reacted in 30 A.D., had I been a Jew, witnessing the historical Jesus?"

The only problem with both of Paul Maier's "Skeleton" books is his writing of female characters and his writing of romantic scenes. He writes how the characters in the story see the women as brilliant, wonderful, etc, when there is no evidence of this. In fact the women are vapid and banal. His romantic sections left me feeling embarrassed for him as they were so High Schoolish.

In conclusion any faults in this book are minor compared with the overall entertainment value. For those that need to know, any Christian can read these two "Skeleton" books without objection. Excellent Christian fiction with sound theology.

I can well understand why one reviewer thought this book a waste of time and money. That person had a preconceived notion about what the end times should be like. Instead, we should review all novels, teaching, sermons, etc. on the basis of the Bible, read in context.

I can assure you though, it is NOT a waste of time or money. In fact, you will likely have trouble putting it down. I would have completed it in one evening if I didn't have to go to bed!

This book is best read in context, i.e., after reading A Skeleton in God's Closet.

Read, buy and recommend this theological thriller. You don't have to be a Lutheran or a protestant to appreciate it.

The author is honest about his theological bias. He is a Lutheran Christian, an ordained clegryman in the conservative, confessional, and Biblically-based Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod.

The author refutes such authors like Hal Lindsay and the Left Behind series from a Biblical standpoint and a mature, well-thought-out theology that is in line with what has been historically taught in the church. The idea of a "Rapture" is foreign to Christianity pre-1830. The idea spread through travelling evangelists and study Bibles to North America.

The author is correct in asserting that the majority of Christians who have ever lived, as well as a majority of Christians alive today, do not support the "rapture" as described in Left Behind and the theology called premillenial dispensationalism. Granted, majority numbers alone do not dictate theology, but they do cause one to wonder-was the church across the board wrong about the end times for 1,830 years? I think not.

People are and can be easily deceived. Just because a novel or denomination claims to be Bible-based does not always guarantee that they are. Often, religious fiction is less "taken from the Bible" than "inspired by the Bible."

The worldview presented in the novel is consistent with the historic Christian faith. It understands Bible verses in context, with due reverence for the literal and the symbolic, and draws meaning from the Christian Scritpures rather than reading preconcieved notions into so-called "proof passages."

Look for Dr. Maier's other historical novels and excellent work on the early Church.

As an apologist, Dr. Jon Weber is a modern day Protestant St Paul. Several years ago, he defended Christianity from a hoax that could have shaken its foundations. Still celebrating a recent victory over a faith healer / end times charlatan in court, Jon suddenly finds himself at war with none other than what appears to be Jesus Christ.

This new "incarnation" is not heralded by a star, but by the internet. As Jon watches in amazement, Joshua Ben Josef appears to be reenacting the life of Christ, and Jon's own wife is almost playing the role of Mary Magdalene. At first, Jon is certain Joshua is at best a phony, if not a devil himself, but as the miracles mount up, even he begins to be swayed. The critical confrontation between truth and falsehood will be at Vatican III, when once more, Christianity's fate may rest on what happens in Rome. Will Jon be Judas or a martyr?

**** Dr. Maier skillfully tells a modern parable, clearly highlighting the danger of false teachers who know how to make the truth the camoflauge for lies. Suspense will keep you riveted to the page, from beginning to end. More than a Skeleton is almost plausible enough to be true, and a frightening picture of what could be. ****

Reviewed by Amanda Killgore.

I enjoyed reading Maier's previous book about Jon Weber, A Skeleton in God's Closet, and quickly purchased More Than a Skeleton. While I enjoyed the intriguing concept of a Jesus like figure returned, I thought the end was a little quick and lacked the detail of the previous chapters. It seemd like a very quick resolution to Weber's current dilema. After the book was finished, I also thought that it was missing a final chapter about where the main characters end up and their thoughts about Joshua and the state of Christianity.

Having said all that, the book was definitely worth it. I kept asking myself what I would do if the premise of the story happened today.

I love this book. Paul Maier is a great writer. Being a Lutheran I can relate to many of the ideas/comments in this book. He truly brings to light what many of us believe. When I saw that this book was out I had to get it because I had read A Skeleton in God's Closet which I also loved. Thanks Mr. Maier for a great book filled with mystery and laughter! I am now looking forward to reading some of his older books like Pontius Pilate!

I have to say, a lot of people will find this book to appear unbiblical if they do not know their Scriptures exceptionally well. The Scriptures do not say, "The 2nd Coming is the final coming" - otherwise the dispensational millenialists ("Left Behind" ideology) would really be in trouble since they have at least 2 returns of Christ, the "hidden" rapture before the tribulation (book 1 in the Left Behind series), as well as the "glorious appearing" (the final book in the Left Behind series).

This book is a good example of what theologians (like myself) refer to as "speculative theology" - theology based not on what Scripture says, but what Scripture has not discussed one way or the other. He asks the question: could Christ have an "intermediate return" before the "glorious appearing," but nothing like what the "Left Behind" ideology is projecting? Could the current state of Israel be about bringing forth this intermediate return, and not the final one? Or could it have nothing to do with the final return? All these questions are thrown out there for the reader to contemplate and consider. Excellent piece, well worth the money.

This is the second "thriller" by Paul Maier. I found the first one, A Skeleton in God's Closet, more enjoyable (involving several twists to the story) and richer in theological information. This novel too was spell binding. What would happen if Jesus came back to earth and convened a Third Vatican Council? How would you address Him, if you were invited to have dinner or spend time with Him? The thought of such privileged familiarity brought tears to my eyes. Personally, I do not think I would address Him as "Master" (a title which in English reminds me more of respectable Kung Fu teachers, or worse yet, scenes involving Marty Feldman in Mel Brooks' Young Frankenstein), but "Lord", and probably ask Him a few questions of my own. Anyway, the story will keep you glued to the chair and make you want to read "a few more pages" before putting the book down for the day. If you are looking for thrills, this book will do fine as a nice summer read. However, if one of the things you are looking for when reading a novel is also to be educated, I would recommend Gospel (by Wilton Barnhardt), which is richer in content and sells only for a few bucks on amzon.com. Take my word for it! And, yeah! As the novel reminds us, those of us who are Christians, should not forget to watch out for Theological Enemy n. 2 (the first one being Arianism), namely Ebionism.