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I, Joseph of Arimathea (2000) is a novel by Frank C. Tribbe.

Abstract

"A story of Jesus, his resurrection, and the aftermath: a documented historical novel." Drawing on apocryphal New Testament texts, particularly the Gospel of Nicodemus, the author recreates the life of Joseph of Arimathea, the man who laid Jesus' body in the tomb following the crucifixion, and talks of the remarkable people whose lives touched his.

"The Biblical accounts of Jesus' life and the growth of Christianity in the following years leave so much to the imagination. Frank Tribbe allows his imagination and serious scholarly research to fill in many of the gaps: the events in the tomb on the first Easter morning, those who met Jesus on the road to Emmaus, the thoughts of "doubting" Thomas--all are recorded in plausible and fine detail. Drawing on apocryphal New Testament texts, Tribbe recreates the extensive role attributed to Joseph of Arimathea in the period after the crucifixion. The Gospel accounts of Easter weekend themselves point to his activity while the other disciples retreated in fear. Joseph made the arrangements for the burial of Jesus' body, for which he provided burial linens and tomb. The book also describes the probable survival and earliest history of a mysterious artifact: the Shroud of Turin, believed by many to be the shroud which wrapped Jesus' dead body and which was marked with his "photographic" image. Tribbe also fills in the "lost years" of Jesus before he entered upon his public ministry and presents the thesis that Joseph of Arimathea was the "Apostle of Britain," introducing Christianity to the west before it reached Rome. The details of daily life in the first century, descriptions of travel, accurate or plausible reconstructions of the Judaeo-Roman "postal system," coinage, business practices, languages, literacy and education, and ancient metallurgy, all bring this amazing story to life. "By means of truly impressive scholarly research, Frank Tribbe transports the reader vividly into the ambience of Tiberius, Claudius, Nero, Peter and Paul, and of Jesus himself." Daniel C. Scavone

Editions

Published in Nevada City, CA [America]: Blue Dolphin, 2000.

Contents

Foreword

Preface

Acknowledgments

Maps

PART I: THE RESURRECTION AND THE SHROUD 1. Resurrection! 2. He Is Risen Indeed! 3. The Resurrection Image 4. We Discuss the Image 5. On the Road to Emmaus 6. The Edessa Connection 7. We Make Plans for the Shroud Image 8. A Casket Will Present a Face 9. Easter Morning and the Guards 10. The Judean Disciples Meet 11. The Shroud of Jesus Leaves Jerusalem 12. Fabrication of the Shroud's Casket 13. King Abgar Is Healed by the "Face"

PART II: MY EARLY YEARS AND MY FAMILY 14. With My Father and in School 15. My Extended Family; A Visit to Athens 16. Metallurgy and Visits to Aqaba and Petra 17. I Learn Metal-working in Damascus 18. My Betrothal 19. To Britain, Via the Mediterranean and Atlantic 20. In the Tin Fields of Britain 21. My Early Years in the Family Business 22. Consecration of Jesus at the Temple

PART III: JESUS' LIFE, MINISTRY AND CRUCIFIXION 23. The Friendship of Lazarus and Jesus 24. The Travels of Jesus 25. Jesus' Capernaum Study Group 26. Jewish Politics and Jesus 27. Bethlehem at Jesus' Birth 28. In Caesarea Philippi with My Brother-in-law, Hebron 29. The Theology of Jesus 30. More Theology; Jesus Watches a Crucifixion 31. The Mount of Transfiguration 32. Raising of Lazarus; Lazarus' Story 33. Jesus' Triumphal Entry; Arrest 34. Mock Trials of Jesus; Scourging 35. The Crucifixion 36. Death and Burial of Jesus

PART IV: THE POST-RESURRECTION PERIOD 37. Post-Resurrection Appearances 38. Appearances to Peter and James 39. The Ascension 40. The Pentecost Phenomena; My Arrest

PART V: MY EXILE; SHROUD PILGRIMAGES BEGIN 41. I Escape from Prison and Prepare for Exile 42. Reminiscences at Sea 43. In Southern Gaul; Welcoming Lazarus 44. A Report of Thaddaeus from Edessa 45. We Become Britons 46. Christianity in Britain and the Near East 47. More Christians in Britain and One from Tarsus 48. Caradoc Versus Emperor Claudius 49. British Christians in Rome 50. Linus and Paul 51. Edessa, Rome and Britain 52. Christianity Wanes in the East and Grows in the West 53. The Focus Is Rome Epilogue

Appendices: Possible Genealogies of Related Families "The Twelve" of Galilee The Judean Disciples Early Bishops of Rome Key British Christians Selected Bibliography and Sources Consulted

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