Matthew J. Elliott
For a time, stories in the biblical fiction genre fit this description almost perfectly. Authors brought many ancient stories to life, but they lacked the depth that resonated with contemporary audiences. Masterpieces like “Ben-Hur” by Lew Wallace and “The Robe” by Loyd C. Douglass were limited. Then, Fracine Rivers came along and completely transformed the genre. She didn’t merely write best-selling books. She unexpectedly revived biblical fiction. This gave it a vibrant new look that resonated with readers and affected more people than she ever expected.
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Image from Amazon |
There was an authenticity behind the people she wrote about that was rich with the history of Biblical Fiction readers loved. She took it to a whole new level where human vulnerability and divine grace spoke to our hearts. Beyond this, Rivers extended her reach with projects like “The Sons of Encouragement” collection. This is where I came onto the scene. As a Biblical Studies major in college, I became obsessed with understanding the people who were living during the biblical era. In a class on the book of Hebrews, I was tasked with defending that a man named Silas wrote the letter, and I had no clue how to do it.
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From PressKit on Website |
So, you may wonder why I am writing this article rather than starting my new series. Well, it’s because as a biblical fiction writer, she was the first author I felt I could truly relate to with my desire to write unexpected stories. Her dedication to historical accuracy echoes my own. I never wanted to simply write the facts; I wanted to make an impact, and her stories showed me I could. The meticulous research that is needed to do this is not a simple thing to accomplish. In writing these stories, Rivers had to understand the cultural and social contexts of the ancient world with the knowledge of a historian and the passion of a novelist. It goes beyond the allegorical messages that many felt were being published until she came on the scene.
Rivers took a shot and bravely confronted the cultural norm about the complexities of Biblical history, and was not afraid to be honest about who these people were, human. Just like us, they were inherently flawed; they struggled with doubt and temptation. These people endured profound struggle and loss, and bringing this to life was no effortless task. The raw emotions these characters experience showed me, and so many others, that faith isn’t flawless; it is a lifelong challenge that transforms us all. This authenticity changed biblical fiction forever.
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Photo © Elaina Burdo on Website PressKit |
~ Biography ~

Matthew and his wife, Traci, have three children named Leyla, Caleb, and Hannah, who bring them immense joy and inspiration. As a writer, his goal is to share love, equip others, and edify them for the greater good. He loves connecting any amount of scripture to his stories and uses his knowledge of Biblical History to do so often.
You can find Matthew's works on Amazon, Goodreads, Facebook, and His Website. He has written Devotionals, An Episodic Series, Novellas, and even Commentaries for The Gospel Daily.
~ Highlighted Release ~
My Newest Biblical Fiction Novel, The Hope of Inheritance, came out on Father's Day and has received a ChristLit Book Award for excellence in Christian Literature. Grab it for free on July 4th and 5th via Amazon. If you enjoy it please let me know by posting a review.
The city of Rome was a vast and beautiful place-- on the surface. That is, until a great fire burned and destroyed most of it. Deep in a world hidden from those who would strike against them, four unlikely men work together to share a message of truth. This truth was spoken by those who were cut down because of the calling to go forth and preach.
The message has always been clear: The hope of our inheritance is Christ living within each of us. In the echoes of persecution, sorrow, and even death, this message still reigns supreme, but will the people listen? Only time will tell, but before anything, these four men must come together and unite a church separated by fear and suffering.
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