In his authoritatively written exploration of the critical roles Jesus’ disciples played in spreading the word of God, Micklem argues that current views of the history of Christianity (from Gospel texts) rely heavily on a truth that is in fact fabricated. In The Men who were Honest to Jesus and What they did he pushes the reader to challenge views created and still held today by the orthodox church and to reevaluate the companions of Jesus who in his view were the only ones truly honest and who after his death worked tirelessly and at great personal risk to spread his teachings. This short book will have appeal to anyone interested in controversy surrounding religion and Christianity.
The Men Who Were Honest to Jesus and What They Did Synopsis
It can readily be seen that faith has a strong portfolio of fabricated history. In The Men Who Were Honest to Jesus and What They Did, N. Micklem explores the forgotten story of the Disciples in his controversial account of their honesty. He believes that if they were honest to Jesus, they might be able to tell us something...Persecuted by Paul, parodied by Mark, covered in dust sheets by the scholarly community (who could have done better), the men who were honest to Jesus need someone to speak up for them. Preferably someone with at least three honorary doctorates and friends in high places (the author has enjoyed a fortunate life, but that someone is not he). Theirs is a forgotten story. People have been misled. In the present climate, they need someone to put the boot in on their behalf. If the companions of Jesus had not put themselves about after the crucifixion of Jesus, Saul would have never been contracted to persecute them; his name no household name, his bones scattered near Tarsus. If they had not been honest to Jesus, no one would have heard of him outside Palestine. In a similar nature to N. Micklem's first book, Plain Jesus (Matador, 2013), written in a style that was described as cheerful and informal by the Church Times, The Men Who Were Honest to Jesus and What They Did uses quirky prose and a conversational tone to suggest images for the reader to take away. This book will appeal to anyone who is interested in controversy surrounding religion and Christianity.
After a year or so as a conscript in a desert and some further education, N. Micklem spent his working life in the law, believing in justice and visiting thought-provoking places - Delphi, Cumae, Zimbabwe, the Galapagos - on holiday. He retired some time ago.
