Letters to Luke (2001 Holoubek), novel

From 4 Enoch: : The Online Encyclopedia of Second Temple Judaism, and Christian and Islamic Origins
Jump to navigation Jump to search

<bibexternal title="Letters to Luke " author="Holoubek"/>

Letters to Luke, from his fellow physician Joseph of Capernaum (2001) is a novel by Joe Edward Holoubek.

Abstract

"A doubter becomes a believer in this historical novel grounded in the gospels.Joseph and Elisa, two young Jews trained in the healing arts, set up practice in Capernaum. One day they hear of a new healer in town -- a Nazarene called Jesus. He has no medical training, but cures with words and the touch of a hand. Joseph eagerly shares news of these miracles in letters to his friend Luke of Antioch, a physician he trained with in Athens. Elisa becomes a follower of Jesus but Joseph struggles with doubts. Could this man who eats and drinks with them be the long-awaited Messiah? Could God be the source of his healing power? Josephs letters to Luke reflect a man of science who slowly becomes a man of faith. As Passover nears, he and Elisa join Jesus and his company on their fateful journey to Jerusalem. They bear expert witness to his physical sufferings and death on the cross. But Josephs doubts resurface and he falls into a guilt-racked depression. Elisas faith, however, is strong enough to sustain them both until, three days later, he seess the risen Jesus for himself. Returning to Capernaum, Joseph and Elisa form a group of Followers of the Way of Jesus, newly committed to loving their enemies. That principle is soon tested when Saul of Tarsus charges into Capernaum on his way to Damascus, a company of soldiers at his command. Their horses stampede, many of Sauls men are seriously injured, and the two young doctors hold in their hands the lives of the people they most fear. Healing and housing the wounded soldiers is the first communal act of love by Followers of the Way, whose fledgling house-church grows as word spreads of their compassion."--Publisher description.

Editions

Published in Shreveport, LA: J.E. Holoubek, 2001 / 2nd ed. 2004 / 3rd ed. 2006.

External links

  • [ Google Books]