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Cloning Christ: A Challenge of Science and Faith
When scientist Max Train discovers what may be the True Cross in Jerusalem, he finds himself on the run from Cardinal Anselm Murant, who will stop at nothing to avoid even the possibility that Max might try to clone the human tissue on the artifact.
- GenresChristian Fiction
Hardcover
First published January 1, 2003
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 12, 2008
If only I had a wooden stake to drive into the heart of this horrid book. Some of the worst writing I have every tried to read. Obviously even the editors did not understand grammar, syntax or refer to a Webster's Dictionary.
And then there is the ridiculous plot and miserable storytelling. Just don't go there. Don't.
And then there is the ridiculous plot and miserable storytelling. Just don't go there. Don't.
June 4, 2024
Having read the Christ Clone trilogy by James BeauSeigneur and enjoyed it entirely too much, considering how bad it is, I was pleased to learn how many novels there are about Jesus clones. Eagerly but also with a certain amount of fear, I've begun reading them. For purposes of efficient comparison, I'll be using a standard review format.
Recap: Christ Clone trilogy
Plot: Jesus' clone is born in the late 20th century, grows to adulthood; Apocalypse ensues, per Book of Revelation
Style: Acres of dry, wordy exposition
Clone derived from: Skin cells stuck to Shroud of Turin
Villain: The Antichrist (duh)
Deaths: Billions and billions
Romantic subplot? No
Crucial scene set at United Nations HQ? Yes
Author's religious views: Evangelical
"Cloning Christ"
Plot: Geneticist with a side interest in archaeology discovers what may be part of the True Cross. Certain powerful religious figures are not pleased
Style: Varies - dry exposition to English as a Second Language
Clone derived from: There may be blood and bits of flesh (ugh) on the cross, but telling what happens to them would be a spoiler despite the title
Villain: Imagine Ernst Stavro Blofeld as a Cardinal
Deaths: Maybe a dozen
Romantic subplot? Yes
Crucial scene set at United Nations HQ? Yes
Author's religious views: Unclear. Good and evil apparently coexist in Catholic Church
"Cloning Christ" is almost more espionage thriller than theological speculation, as our hero is pursued by a maniacal killer, whose code always appears in italics - The Scorpion! - through a variety of picturesque European and American locales. ("The white full moon was still high in the early dawn sky as the two stood concealed by a large tree in Riverside Park, down from the Cathedral where construction, begun in 1892 is still not completed, and whose interior walkway of 601 feet is the largest of any Cathedral in the world. Three ton bronze doors, and its famed Portal of Paradise limestone carvings of biblical figures, stand out to any of its visitors whose voices at religious services can sometimes be heard in song accompanied by the famed 8,035 pipe Aeolian Skinner pipe organ.") The action is red-hot. ("The blade came down deep in his wrist. Kohn looked down at his gashed hand, and screamed in pain as blood poured from its severed veins onto the room's light beige tone carpeting.") Characters' inner torment is vividly depicted. ("Max felt his chest tighten as enigmatic crests of bewilderment surged their hazy peaks towards his wanting soul. The magnetic force of confusion pulled his human spirit to suspiciousness." Runner-up: "Max sensed this day would be anything but ordinary. This silent premonition caused beads of sweat to freely cascade down his brow and cover his entire body in saltine moisture.") And the pope has, thankfully, recovered from, yes, "prostrate cancer."
And yet. It sucked me in. "Couldn't put it down" would be overstating it, but damned if I didn't want to know at every point what happened next, which after all is the fiction writer's main job. Authors move in mysterious ways their wonders to perform.
Recap: Christ Clone trilogy
Plot: Jesus' clone is born in the late 20th century, grows to adulthood; Apocalypse ensues, per Book of Revelation
Style: Acres of dry, wordy exposition
Clone derived from: Skin cells stuck to Shroud of Turin
Villain: The Antichrist (duh)
Deaths: Billions and billions
Romantic subplot? No
Crucial scene set at United Nations HQ? Yes
Author's religious views: Evangelical
"Cloning Christ"
Plot: Geneticist with a side interest in archaeology discovers what may be part of the True Cross. Certain powerful religious figures are not pleased
Style: Varies - dry exposition to English as a Second Language
Clone derived from: There may be blood and bits of flesh (ugh) on the cross, but telling what happens to them would be a spoiler despite the title
Villain: Imagine Ernst Stavro Blofeld as a Cardinal
Deaths: Maybe a dozen
Romantic subplot? Yes
Crucial scene set at United Nations HQ? Yes
Author's religious views: Unclear. Good and evil apparently coexist in Catholic Church
"Cloning Christ" is almost more espionage thriller than theological speculation, as our hero is pursued by a maniacal killer, whose code always appears in italics - The Scorpion! - through a variety of picturesque European and American locales. ("The white full moon was still high in the early dawn sky as the two stood concealed by a large tree in Riverside Park, down from the Cathedral where construction, begun in 1892 is still not completed, and whose interior walkway of 601 feet is the largest of any Cathedral in the world. Three ton bronze doors, and its famed Portal of Paradise limestone carvings of biblical figures, stand out to any of its visitors whose voices at religious services can sometimes be heard in song accompanied by the famed 8,035 pipe Aeolian Skinner pipe organ.") The action is red-hot. ("The blade came down deep in his wrist. Kohn looked down at his gashed hand, and screamed in pain as blood poured from its severed veins onto the room's light beige tone carpeting.") Characters' inner torment is vividly depicted. ("Max felt his chest tighten as enigmatic crests of bewilderment surged their hazy peaks towards his wanting soul. The magnetic force of confusion pulled his human spirit to suspiciousness." Runner-up: "Max sensed this day would be anything but ordinary. This silent premonition caused beads of sweat to freely cascade down his brow and cover his entire body in saltine moisture.") And the pope has, thankfully, recovered from, yes, "prostrate cancer."
And yet. It sucked me in. "Couldn't put it down" would be overstating it, but damned if I didn't want to know at every point what happened next, which after all is the fiction writer's main job. Authors move in mysterious ways their wonders to perform.
January 15, 2009
Horribly written with no sense of pacing. At the beginning the main character finds an old cross in a tomb and immediately thinks, "What if this is Christ's cross? What if the DNA on it were used to resurrect him?" Intriguing idea with absolutely zero talent in its execution.
July 9, 2009
Originally blamed for the brutal murder of his family, scientist Max Train travels to Israel after he is acquitted in court. There, he survives an earthquake which opens the real tomb of Christ.
Now Max finds himself hunted by a raving demoniacal lunatic.
Oye.
Now Max finds himself hunted by a raving demoniacal lunatic.
Oye.
July 10, 2009
It has been awhile since I read this one. I found it thrilling, but I am into religion, sci-fi etc. I thought it was Dan Brownish.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews