Biblical Novel—
Truth, Fact, and Fiction
Photo by Kevin Probst
Winston Churchill said, “Writing a book is an adventure. To begin with it is a toy and an amusement. Then it becomes a mistress, then it becomes a master, then it becomes a tyrant. The last phase is that just as you are about to be reconciled to your servitude, you kill the monster and fling him to the public.”
Writing a novel about biblical characters and flinging it out to the public sometimes feels monstrous. I’ve been accused of blatantly disregarding Scripture, of disrespecting God’s Word, and a myriad of other things I won’t mention.
My response? Silence—and gratitude.
I’d ten times rather have folks vehemently defend Scripture than soft-pedal a perceived offense to the living Word of God. However, in this space, where I have the listening ears of history buffs and serious Bible students, I want to describe the meticulous process by which I research and write my novels.
A Foundation of Truth
Research for my upcoming release, Isaiah’s Daughter, began six years before I signed a contract to publish it. I became fascinated by a woman called, Hephzibah, described in 2 Kings 21:1 as Manasseh’s mother—which made her King Hezekiah’s wife. Listen to God’s description of the two most important men in Hephzibah’s life:
“Hezekiah trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel. There was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, either before him or after him.” 2 Kings 18:5–6
“…Manasseh also shed so much innocent blood that he filled Jerusalem from end to end—besides the sin that he had caused Judah to commit, so that they did evil in the eyes of the Lord.” 2 Kings 21:16
Hephzibah was married to the most righteous king in Judah and mother of the most wicked king of Judah. This is the TRUTH of Scripture. My task, as a novelist, was to find historical facts that built a second layer of her story.
The Fact Layer
Historical findings are sometimes scarce for the ancient Israelite stories I write, but the discovery of King Hezekiah’s royal seal was announced on Friday, December 4, 2015, by CNN online.
“It is believed to be the first-ever seal—also referred to as a ‘bulla’—from an Israeli or Judean King to be discovered by archaeologists.”
Inscribed with the words, “Belonging to Hezekiah [son of] Ahaz king of Judah,” this seal measures ½ inch (less than a centimeter) and bears the symbol of a two-winged sun, wings turned down, flanked by ankh symbols (the Egyptian symbol for life).
Perhaps the most interesting thing about the seal was the location of its discovery . . . in a dumpsite. As if Hezekiah’s seal was discarded with the palace trash. What questions run through your mind when you hear that? The answers to those questions become the final layer—fiction.
A Sprinkling of Fiction
Jewish tradition provides a generous portion of glue to hold together all the unanswered questions of my stories. Scripture is silent on Hephzibah’s parentage, but Rabbinic literature—passed down through the same oral traditions that kept Scriptures intact for generations—tells us she was Isaiah’s daughter. As you can see, even a portion of my fiction is guided by what some would consider fact.
Of course, I add other fictional elements as well. Eye color. Hair texture, length, and color. Personalities and family dynamics. Even some of these can be guided by research of Truth and fact.
Writing a biblical novel is both burden and blessing—but the blessing always wins. To know the Word more deeply is our greatest privilege, and I pray it is the experience of everyone who reads one of my books.
Want to Read More?
Pre-Order Promo for Isaiah’s Daughter includes a free, downloadable 14-Day Devotional and much more!
CLICK HERE to read a sample devotional.
GIVEAWAY: Mesu is giving away a copy of Isaiah's Daughter to one person who comments on the blog before midnight December 18, 2017. Please leave your email address to be entered. Comment and let Mesu know if you've read any Biblical fiction. What Bible story is your favorite?
Mesu Andrews’ deep understanding of and love for God’s Word brings the biblical world alive for her readers. She and her husband, Roy, live in a log cabin snuggled into the beautiful Appalachian Mountains with their dog, Zeke. The Andrews’ have two married daughters and a small tribe of grandkids. Mesu loves movies, football, waterfalls, and travel.
“It is believed to be the first-ever seal—also referred to as a ‘bulla’—from an Israeli or Judean King to be discovered by archaeologists.”
Inscribed with the words, “Belonging to Hezekiah [son of] Ahaz king of Judah,” this seal measures ½ inch (less than a centimeter) and bears the symbol of a two-winged sun, wings turned down, flanked by ankh symbols (the Egyptian symbol for life).
Perhaps the most interesting thing about the seal was the location of its discovery . . . in a dumpsite. As if Hezekiah’s seal was discarded with the palace trash. What questions run through your mind when you hear that? The answers to those questions become the final layer—fiction.
A Sprinkling of Fiction
Jewish tradition provides a generous portion of glue to hold together all the unanswered questions of my stories. Scripture is silent on Hephzibah’s parentage, but Rabbinic literature—passed down through the same oral traditions that kept Scriptures intact for generations—tells us she was Isaiah’s daughter. As you can see, even a portion of my fiction is guided by what some would consider fact.
Of course, I add other fictional elements as well. Eye color. Hair texture, length, and color. Personalities and family dynamics. Even some of these can be guided by research of Truth and fact.
Writing a biblical novel is both burden and blessing—but the blessing always wins. To know the Word more deeply is our greatest privilege, and I pray it is the experience of everyone who reads one of my books.
Want to Read More?
Pre-Order Promo for Isaiah’s Daughter includes a free, downloadable 14-Day Devotional and much more!
CLICK HERE to read a sample devotional.
GIVEAWAY: Mesu is giving away a copy of Isaiah's Daughter to one person who comments on the blog before midnight December 18, 2017. Please leave your email address to be entered. Comment and let Mesu know if you've read any Biblical fiction. What Bible story is your favorite?
Mesu Andrews’ deep understanding of and love for God’s Word brings the biblical world alive for her readers. She and her husband, Roy, live in a log cabin snuggled into the beautiful Appalachian Mountains with their dog, Zeke. The Andrews’ have two married daughters and a small tribe of grandkids. Mesu loves movies, football, waterfalls, and travel.
