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The Messiah Matrix
ASIN B007ZJL4TK moved to the most recent edition here
First Jesuit Pope predicted in THE MESSIAH MATRIX!
To what lengths would the Vatican go to suppress the secret origins of its power? Current papal politics has made this thriller eerily prophetic! The Messiah Matrix is a myth-shattering novel whose protagonists delve into the secrets of the past—and expose the fundamentalists who hide them still.
Religious Fiction Christianity, Jesus Christ, Roman Catholic, Christian origins
A renowned scholar-monsignor is killed in Rome while a Roman coin is recovered from a wreck off the coast of ancient Judea. It’s up to his young American protégé--a Jesuit priest--and a vivacious, brilliant archaeologist to connect these seemingly disparate events and unravel the tapestry that conceals in plain view the greatest mystery in the ecclesiastical world. Together they pursue their passion for truth—while fighting to control their passion for each other. What they uncover is an ancient Roman imperial stratagem so controversial the Curia fears it could undermine the very foundations of the Roman Catholic faith--much like the secrets emerging from the Vatican in today's news.
From the ancient port of Caesarea to Rome's legendary catacombs and the sacred caves of Cumae, this contemporary novel follows their exhilarating quest to uncover the truth about the historical existence of the real "Christian Savior."
Classical scholar and Yale Ph.D. Dr. Kenneth John Atchity is the only author alive today capable of creating this literary and historically-based spellbinder.
For more information on The Messiah Matrix, including location maps, blog and more please visit: www.messiahmatrix.com
Jasius? Who or what is it? All Google has to offer is a two-tailed butterfly or the ring finger. Say it again. Jasius. It has the sound of something strange, yet strangely familiar. Something or someone we all know, yet infinitely beyond our comprehension. Kenneth Atchity's The Messiah Matrix explores the mystery in a fast-paced, light-hearted novel that is at the same time profoundly disturbing. The story goes forward at three levels. At the top, a rousing twenty-first century adventure that moves from the wrecks littering the floor of the Mediterranean to the corridors of the Vatican. Below that, a carbon-dated epigraphic revisionist history of the first centuries BCE and CE. And, at the deepest level, a sympathetic, fair-minded rational re-examination of "the greatest story ever told." You may applaud, dispute, chortle, weep, but you will think about this book long after the final page.-Benedict and Nancy Freedman, authors Mrs. Mike, Sappho: The Tenth Muse, The Immortals
In a thriller that rivals anything Dan Brown ever wrote, The Messiah Matrix threatens to take all your beliefs and toss them into the wind. A priest is murdered in Rome. His assassin is also shot and killed while with another priest. A message was delivered. An artifact is found on the floor of the sea. A Jesuit questions his faith and the history of his Church. An archaeologist uncovers the find of a lifetime and loses it.
A connection between Christ and Augustus Caesar? The wise men following a star in 17 BC? Curiouser and curiouser! Although you know what they say about curiosity. The Monsignor searching for the ashes of Christ--which he was killed before explaining. Does the Holy See condone murder? Damn Skippy it does!
This book is amazing! The two main characters of Ryan and Emily are the perfect pair of detectives. Will they be more? You’ll have to read the book! Emily’s coin is vital to the history of Christianity in the world, but will they get it back? On the coin, Augustus was wearing a crown with twel
First Jesuit Pope predicted in THE MESSIAH MATRIX!
To what lengths would the Vatican go to suppress the secret origins of its power? Current papal politics has made this thriller eerily prophetic! The Messiah Matrix is a myth-shattering novel whose protagonists delve into the secrets of the past—and expose the fundamentalists who hide them still.
Religious Fiction Christianity, Jesus Christ, Roman Catholic, Christian origins
A renowned scholar-monsignor is killed in Rome while a Roman coin is recovered from a wreck off the coast of ancient Judea. It’s up to his young American protégé--a Jesuit priest--and a vivacious, brilliant archaeologist to connect these seemingly disparate events and unravel the tapestry that conceals in plain view the greatest mystery in the ecclesiastical world. Together they pursue their passion for truth—while fighting to control their passion for each other. What they uncover is an ancient Roman imperial stratagem so controversial the Curia fears it could undermine the very foundations of the Roman Catholic faith--much like the secrets emerging from the Vatican in today's news.
From the ancient port of Caesarea to Rome's legendary catacombs and the sacred caves of Cumae, this contemporary novel follows their exhilarating quest to uncover the truth about the historical existence of the real "Christian Savior."
Classical scholar and Yale Ph.D. Dr. Kenneth John Atchity is the only author alive today capable of creating this literary and historically-based spellbinder.
For more information on The Messiah Matrix, including location maps, blog and more please visit: www.messiahmatrix.com
Jasius? Who or what is it? All Google has to offer is a two-tailed butterfly or the ring finger. Say it again. Jasius. It has the sound of something strange, yet strangely familiar. Something or someone we all know, yet infinitely beyond our comprehension. Kenneth Atchity's The Messiah Matrix explores the mystery in a fast-paced, light-hearted novel that is at the same time profoundly disturbing. The story goes forward at three levels. At the top, a rousing twenty-first century adventure that moves from the wrecks littering the floor of the Mediterranean to the corridors of the Vatican. Below that, a carbon-dated epigraphic revisionist history of the first centuries BCE and CE. And, at the deepest level, a sympathetic, fair-minded rational re-examination of "the greatest story ever told." You may applaud, dispute, chortle, weep, but you will think about this book long after the final page.-Benedict and Nancy Freedman, authors Mrs. Mike, Sappho: The Tenth Muse, The Immortals
In a thriller that rivals anything Dan Brown ever wrote, The Messiah Matrix threatens to take all your beliefs and toss them into the wind. A priest is murdered in Rome. His assassin is also shot and killed while with another priest. A message was delivered. An artifact is found on the floor of the sea. A Jesuit questions his faith and the history of his Church. An archaeologist uncovers the find of a lifetime and loses it.
A connection between Christ and Augustus Caesar? The wise men following a star in 17 BC? Curiouser and curiouser! Although you know what they say about curiosity. The Monsignor searching for the ashes of Christ--which he was killed before explaining. Does the Holy See condone murder? Damn Skippy it does!
This book is amazing! The two main characters of Ryan and Emily are the perfect pair of detectives. Will they be more? You’ll have to read the book! Emily’s coin is vital to the history of Christianity in the world, but will they get it back? On the coin, Augustus was wearing a crown with twel
550 pages, ebook
First published May 1, 2012
172 people are currently reading
693 people want to read
About the author
Kenneth Atchity
59 books51 followersKenneth John Atchity is an American producer and author, who has worked variously in the world of letters as a literary manager, editor, speaker, writing coach, brand consultant, and professor of comparative literature.
At home among the many worlds of communications and storytelling, he was labeled a "story merchant" by a visiting ambassador to the United States.
Atchity was born 16 January 1944 in Eunice, Louisiana, son of Fred J. and Myrza (née Aguillard) Atchity; he grew up between Louisiana and Kansas City, Missouri. He and his companies, The Story Merchant, Atchity Entertainment International, Inc., The Writers Lifeline, Inc., and The Louisiana Wave Studio, LLC, in Shreveport, Louisiana produce films and develop books for publication; and books, screenplays, and films for television and cinema, and consult with writers about their career strategies and tactics.
At home among the many worlds of communications and storytelling, he was labeled a "story merchant" by a visiting ambassador to the United States.
Atchity was born 16 January 1944 in Eunice, Louisiana, son of Fred J. and Myrza (née Aguillard) Atchity; he grew up between Louisiana and Kansas City, Missouri. He and his companies, The Story Merchant, Atchity Entertainment International, Inc., The Writers Lifeline, Inc., and The Louisiana Wave Studio, LLC, in Shreveport, Louisiana produce films and develop books for publication; and books, screenplays, and films for television and cinema, and consult with writers about their career strategies and tactics.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
December 19, 2014
Too intellectual.
Maybe I'm just a thicko, but when I read a book it's to relax. The author's an intelligent bloke, there's no doubt about it. He was studying Latin at the age of ten, studied Homeric Greek and went on to win an Ignatian Scholarship to Georgetown Uni. After that he really knuckled down to a bit of serious study, and won loads of awards for being a clever bloke.
Fair play. However, and this is a big however, he's used all this to disguise what when all's said and done is a pretty poor plot. We learn that certain building's have a portal bearing the words Istitute per le Opere de Religione, we study a medieval throwback nestled in the flank of a Renaissance palce, and we meet loads of blokes with S.J. after their name without having the foggiest idea what it means. One of them is the Procurator General of the Society of Jesus whose job is to liaise between the Jesuit Curia and the various departments of the Roman Curia of the Vatican. No wonder I fell asleep!
That was in a chapter entitled `Christus Rex et Redemptor Mundi.'
Don't get me wrong, I'm fascinated by all that - I'm not thick you know - but what I didn't get was how Emily scuba-dived and forgot her buoyancy jacket. She hooked the air bottle on and swam to the bottom. And ascended to the surface without a decompression stop. Eh? Surely she'd notice she was 'swimming' to the bottom as opposed to dumping air from her BCD.
I also missed how she found the bloke she was looking for in about three seconds flat after arriving in Rome, without any idea who he was or what he looked like. She got on a plane and the next thing we know she's tailing him.
The story line just gets worse, and to tell you truth I gave up about half way through.
Maybe I'm just a thicko, but when I read a book it's to relax. The author's an intelligent bloke, there's no doubt about it. He was studying Latin at the age of ten, studied Homeric Greek and went on to win an Ignatian Scholarship to Georgetown Uni. After that he really knuckled down to a bit of serious study, and won loads of awards for being a clever bloke.
Fair play. However, and this is a big however, he's used all this to disguise what when all's said and done is a pretty poor plot. We learn that certain building's have a portal bearing the words Istitute per le Opere de Religione, we study a medieval throwback nestled in the flank of a Renaissance palce, and we meet loads of blokes with S.J. after their name without having the foggiest idea what it means. One of them is the Procurator General of the Society of Jesus whose job is to liaise between the Jesuit Curia and the various departments of the Roman Curia of the Vatican. No wonder I fell asleep!
That was in a chapter entitled `Christus Rex et Redemptor Mundi.'
Don't get me wrong, I'm fascinated by all that - I'm not thick you know - but what I didn't get was how Emily scuba-dived and forgot her buoyancy jacket. She hooked the air bottle on and swam to the bottom. And ascended to the surface without a decompression stop. Eh? Surely she'd notice she was 'swimming' to the bottom as opposed to dumping air from her BCD.
I also missed how she found the bloke she was looking for in about three seconds flat after arriving in Rome, without any idea who he was or what he looked like. She got on a plane and the next thing we know she's tailing him.
The story line just gets worse, and to tell you truth I gave up about half way through.
September 19, 2018
It's been ages since I've read a religious conspiracy thriller and I'd forgotten how I used to really enjoy them. This one was fascinating with the premise that the lack of personal detail around Jesus is because he didn't actually exist and instead the basis of Christianity lies in the cult of Caesar Augustus.
There's a lot to take in within the story. It normally doesn't make a difference that I'm not particularly religious but I felt like I needed to have a fair bit of Christian background to understand it. The same really for some of the Roman elements. It's a good story and it moves at a fair pace but for me, I think it was too heavy on the detail.
And I wasn't too keen on the ending. This is obviously personal taste but without giving away spoilers there's a really good point where this could stop. Then the rest either an epilogue or left so we had some mystery. As it stands it's about 15 years of what happens next rammed into one chapter that doesn't fit with everything else.
So thumbs on the middle really. Not a bad book but I felt it could have been so much better
There's a lot to take in within the story. It normally doesn't make a difference that I'm not particularly religious but I felt like I needed to have a fair bit of Christian background to understand it. The same really for some of the Roman elements. It's a good story and it moves at a fair pace but for me, I think it was too heavy on the detail.
And I wasn't too keen on the ending. This is obviously personal taste but without giving away spoilers there's a really good point where this could stop. Then the rest either an epilogue or left so we had some mystery. As it stands it's about 15 years of what happens next rammed into one chapter that doesn't fit with everything else.
So thumbs on the middle really. Not a bad book but I felt it could have been so much better
June 28, 2012
In a thriller that rivals anything Dan Brown ever wrote, The Messiah Matrix threatens to take all your beliefs and toss them into the wind. A priest is murdered in Rome. His assassin is also shot and killed while with another priest. A message was delivered. An artifact is found on the floor of the sea. A Jesuit questions his faith and the history of his Church. An archaeologist uncovers the find of a lifetime and loses it.
A connection between Christ and Augustus Ceasar? The wise men following a star in 17 BC? Curiouser and curiouser! Although you know what they say about curiosity. The Monsignor searching for the ashes of Christ – which he was killed before explaining. Does the Holy See condone murder? Damn Skippy it does!
This book is amazing! The two main characters of Ryan and Emily are the perfect pair of detectives. Will they be more? You’ll have to read the book! Emily’s coin is vital to the history of Christianity in the world, but will they get it back? On the coin, Augustus was wearing a crown with twelve spikes. What’s up with that?
In this tale we have good guys, very bad guys, the Holy Mother Church, good priests and very, very bad priests and one red-headed archaeology professor who, along with one questioning Jesuit and some of his brothers, may be able to solve the conundrum that is The Messiah Matrix.
A connection between Christ and Augustus Ceasar? The wise men following a star in 17 BC? Curiouser and curiouser! Although you know what they say about curiosity. The Monsignor searching for the ashes of Christ – which he was killed before explaining. Does the Holy See condone murder? Damn Skippy it does!
This book is amazing! The two main characters of Ryan and Emily are the perfect pair of detectives. Will they be more? You’ll have to read the book! Emily’s coin is vital to the history of Christianity in the world, but will they get it back? On the coin, Augustus was wearing a crown with twelve spikes. What’s up with that?
In this tale we have good guys, very bad guys, the Holy Mother Church, good priests and very, very bad priests and one red-headed archaeology professor who, along with one questioning Jesuit and some of his brothers, may be able to solve the conundrum that is The Messiah Matrix.
October 14, 2013
Kenneth John Atchity in his new book, “The Messiah Matrix” published by Imprimatur Britannica/Story Merchant Books introduces us to Ryan McKeown and Emily Scelba .
From the back cover: To what lengths would the Vatican go to suppress the secret origins of its power?
The Messiah Matrix is a myth-shattering thriller whose protagonists delve into the secrets of the past and expose those who hide them still.
A renowned scholar-monsignor is killed in a mysterious hit-and-run in Rome. A Roman coin is recovered from a wreck off the coast of ancient Judea. It’s up to his young American protegé–a Jesuit priest–and a vivacious, brilliant archaeologist to connect these seemingly disparate events and unravel the tapestry that conceals in plain view the greatest mystery in the ecclesiastical world.
Together they pursue their passion for truth while fighting to control their passion for each other. What they uncover is an ancient Roman imperial stratagem so controversial the Curia fears it could undermine the very foundations of the Roman Catholic faith.
From the ancient port of Caesarea to Rome’s legendary catacombs and the sacred caves of Cumae, this contemporary novel follows their exhilarating quest to uncover the truth about the historical existence of the real Christian Savior.
The Messiah Matrix may prove to be one of the most thought-provoking books ever written. Classical scholar and Yale Ph.D. Dr. Kenneth John Atchity is the only author alive today capable of creating this literary and historically-based masterpiece.
“All that is hidden must now be revealed.”
Let’s agree that “The Messiah Matrix” is a work of fiction written by an author of fiction. It is not truth nor does it represent itself to be truth. With this as my foundation this is one very exciting book. Ryan and Emily are running around trying to solve the few clues that they have while, simultaneously, trying to stay alive because there are assassins trying to stop them. Do I agree with the premise at the conclusion of this book? Of course not. But then I do not have to as this is fiction. ”The Messiah Matrix” is loaded with twists and turns that will leave you guessing all the while you are flipping pages to find out what happens next. Mr. Atchity has provided us with a very exciting book with clever characters that I hope come back in this very talented author’s next book.
If you would like to listen to interviews with other authors and professionals please go to www.kingdomhighlights.org where they are available On Demand.
To listen to 24 hours non-stop, commercial free Christian music please visit our internet radio station www.kingdomairwaves.org
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Partners In Crime. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
From the back cover: To what lengths would the Vatican go to suppress the secret origins of its power?
The Messiah Matrix is a myth-shattering thriller whose protagonists delve into the secrets of the past and expose those who hide them still.
A renowned scholar-monsignor is killed in a mysterious hit-and-run in Rome. A Roman coin is recovered from a wreck off the coast of ancient Judea. It’s up to his young American protegé–a Jesuit priest–and a vivacious, brilliant archaeologist to connect these seemingly disparate events and unravel the tapestry that conceals in plain view the greatest mystery in the ecclesiastical world.
Together they pursue their passion for truth while fighting to control their passion for each other. What they uncover is an ancient Roman imperial stratagem so controversial the Curia fears it could undermine the very foundations of the Roman Catholic faith.
From the ancient port of Caesarea to Rome’s legendary catacombs and the sacred caves of Cumae, this contemporary novel follows their exhilarating quest to uncover the truth about the historical existence of the real Christian Savior.
The Messiah Matrix may prove to be one of the most thought-provoking books ever written. Classical scholar and Yale Ph.D. Dr. Kenneth John Atchity is the only author alive today capable of creating this literary and historically-based masterpiece.
“All that is hidden must now be revealed.”
Let’s agree that “The Messiah Matrix” is a work of fiction written by an author of fiction. It is not truth nor does it represent itself to be truth. With this as my foundation this is one very exciting book. Ryan and Emily are running around trying to solve the few clues that they have while, simultaneously, trying to stay alive because there are assassins trying to stop them. Do I agree with the premise at the conclusion of this book? Of course not. But then I do not have to as this is fiction. ”The Messiah Matrix” is loaded with twists and turns that will leave you guessing all the while you are flipping pages to find out what happens next. Mr. Atchity has provided us with a very exciting book with clever characters that I hope come back in this very talented author’s next book.
If you would like to listen to interviews with other authors and professionals please go to www.kingdomhighlights.org where they are available On Demand.
To listen to 24 hours non-stop, commercial free Christian music please visit our internet radio station www.kingdomairwaves.org
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Partners In Crime. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
September 17, 2013
Do we really know how much of history is truth and how much is slanted in favor of those who wrote it?
The Messiah Matrix by Kenneth John Atchity is an intense and riveting thriller that will leave you breathless at the end as historical secrets from the past are uncovered, threatening to expose powerful religious beliefs, doctrines and secrets as heavily veiled lies designed to protect the Church in Rome. At the bottom of the tangled webs of deceit may lay the answer to who is the real Christian Savior. Will centuries of believers rest in the knowledge that Jesus IS the Christian Messiah, or will the real answer come from ancient Rome, centuries before his birth? Two people from completely different backgrounds will risk their lives to expose the answer, no matter what it is.
Kenneth John Atchity takes historical facts and contemporary fiction and pieces them together to create a fast-paced mystery/thriller whose roots took hold long ago, but are unearthed with the discovery of a single coin. Pairing a newly ordained Jesuit Priest with a young and brilliant archaeologist, Mr. Atchity deftly creates two perspectives that come together well in the quest for hidden truths with richly detailed scenes, including “flashbacks” to ancient times, in supposition of what machinations were contrived for the history books.
Will some find this book a little uncomfortable? Possibly, but this is a work of fiction, based partially on historical facts and manipulations. I believe the author intends to cause the reader to invest themselves enough in this book to question whether history is always exact. One does not have to believe all that is written, but to consider that there is more intrigue in the world than often thinks and there always has been. If you are looking for a book that will make you think outside of the box, almost creating your own “subplots” or “what ifs,” The Messiah Matrix could be that book you’re looking for!
I'd like to thank Kenneth John Atchity for providing me with this review copy in exchange for my honest review.
Publication Date: May 1, 2012
Publisher: Imprimatur Britannia and Story Merchant Books
ISBN: 0957218907 (Paperback)
Number of Pages: 550
Genre: Literary Fiction/Christian Fiction/Thriller/Adults
Available From: Amazon / Barnes & Noble
For more reviews check out Tome Tender's Book Blog or find us on Facebook.
The Messiah Matrix by Kenneth John Atchity is an intense and riveting thriller that will leave you breathless at the end as historical secrets from the past are uncovered, threatening to expose powerful religious beliefs, doctrines and secrets as heavily veiled lies designed to protect the Church in Rome. At the bottom of the tangled webs of deceit may lay the answer to who is the real Christian Savior. Will centuries of believers rest in the knowledge that Jesus IS the Christian Messiah, or will the real answer come from ancient Rome, centuries before his birth? Two people from completely different backgrounds will risk their lives to expose the answer, no matter what it is.
Kenneth John Atchity takes historical facts and contemporary fiction and pieces them together to create a fast-paced mystery/thriller whose roots took hold long ago, but are unearthed with the discovery of a single coin. Pairing a newly ordained Jesuit Priest with a young and brilliant archaeologist, Mr. Atchity deftly creates two perspectives that come together well in the quest for hidden truths with richly detailed scenes, including “flashbacks” to ancient times, in supposition of what machinations were contrived for the history books.
Will some find this book a little uncomfortable? Possibly, but this is a work of fiction, based partially on historical facts and manipulations. I believe the author intends to cause the reader to invest themselves enough in this book to question whether history is always exact. One does not have to believe all that is written, but to consider that there is more intrigue in the world than often thinks and there always has been. If you are looking for a book that will make you think outside of the box, almost creating your own “subplots” or “what ifs,” The Messiah Matrix could be that book you’re looking for!
I'd like to thank Kenneth John Atchity for providing me with this review copy in exchange for my honest review.
Publication Date: May 1, 2012
Publisher: Imprimatur Britannia and Story Merchant Books
ISBN: 0957218907 (Paperback)
Number of Pages: 550
Genre: Literary Fiction/Christian Fiction/Thriller/Adults
Available From: Amazon / Barnes & Noble
For more reviews check out Tome Tender's Book Blog or find us on Facebook.
February 27, 2013
Destined to be highly controversial - A Very Fine Novel
Dr. Kenneth John Atchity has created a novel that is not only an absorbing story, but it is also a platform for re-thinking the beginnings of Christianity as we have been taught. This fact will doubtless unsettle many right wing religious conservatives - much the way that Darwin's concept of Evolution has always caused them problems. And if that is an afterburn of reading this novel then we should hope it gains a very wide readership.
Acuity is a scholar, highly regarded among academics, and it is this aspect of his novel THE MESSIAH MATRIX that gives him the edge. The ideas he poses are scientifically grounded and so well developed, based on archeological findings and research, that the themes of this book cannot be disregarded. Add to that the fact that Acuity writes with an elegant style, not only in a manner that makes his story propelled forward at all times but also he creates a compelling atmosphere - both above and below the waters of the sea!
Very briefly the book opens with a gripping Prologue of the intentional murder of a priest who receives last rites from a Fr. Ryan McKeon, a Jesuit whose convictions about his religion and his church are tenuous at best, and as the struck priest dies he utters a secret that starts the story with a mesmerizing concept: who was the human form the Bible calls Jesus Christ but historical research may prove him to be a Roman Emperor, so similar are the facts about the beginning of the Biblical Christianity and Roman history. Parallel to this incident is the work of three archeological investigators, the women member of which dives to discover an ancient element at the bottom of the sea that supports the thoughts that begin with the secret shared with Ryan.
As with all successful novels there are power struggles, love stories, adventures around every turn and to reveal more would diminish the impact of the slowly unraveling mysteries that connect to question the validity of the historical Christian Savior. It is the mixture of investigative acumen and the gift for relating mystery writing in a style so eloquent that it resembles the major books of literature that makes this book so solid. There are those who compare it to the Da Vinci Code genre of books and yes, it is every bit as intoxicating as those. The difference is in the writing style. Kenneth John Atchity could write about any topic and he would be worth of reading, so beautiful is his mastery of the English language!
Grady Harp
Dr. Kenneth John Atchity has created a novel that is not only an absorbing story, but it is also a platform for re-thinking the beginnings of Christianity as we have been taught. This fact will doubtless unsettle many right wing religious conservatives - much the way that Darwin's concept of Evolution has always caused them problems. And if that is an afterburn of reading this novel then we should hope it gains a very wide readership.
Acuity is a scholar, highly regarded among academics, and it is this aspect of his novel THE MESSIAH MATRIX that gives him the edge. The ideas he poses are scientifically grounded and so well developed, based on archeological findings and research, that the themes of this book cannot be disregarded. Add to that the fact that Acuity writes with an elegant style, not only in a manner that makes his story propelled forward at all times but also he creates a compelling atmosphere - both above and below the waters of the sea!
Very briefly the book opens with a gripping Prologue of the intentional murder of a priest who receives last rites from a Fr. Ryan McKeon, a Jesuit whose convictions about his religion and his church are tenuous at best, and as the struck priest dies he utters a secret that starts the story with a mesmerizing concept: who was the human form the Bible calls Jesus Christ but historical research may prove him to be a Roman Emperor, so similar are the facts about the beginning of the Biblical Christianity and Roman history. Parallel to this incident is the work of three archeological investigators, the women member of which dives to discover an ancient element at the bottom of the sea that supports the thoughts that begin with the secret shared with Ryan.
As with all successful novels there are power struggles, love stories, adventures around every turn and to reveal more would diminish the impact of the slowly unraveling mysteries that connect to question the validity of the historical Christian Savior. It is the mixture of investigative acumen and the gift for relating mystery writing in a style so eloquent that it resembles the major books of literature that makes this book so solid. There are those who compare it to the Da Vinci Code genre of books and yes, it is every bit as intoxicating as those. The difference is in the writing style. Kenneth John Atchity could write about any topic and he would be worth of reading, so beautiful is his mastery of the English language!
Grady Harp
July 20, 2016
I found this book riveting right out of the gate. Being born a Catholic, but having developed into a spiritualistic seeker of sorts, I have always found myself drawn to works that question anything espoused as doctrine, particularly in regard to who we are, and why we are here.
Atchity's impressive expertise in history, literature and art drives this story relentlessly forward - challenging the reader's own current historic and religious knowledge and/or belief system. Being far from an academic scholar, I found myself dog-earing page after page as a subtle reminder to look up varied elements at a later date. As a result, I wish I had majored in comparative religion. Before this book, only Dan Brown made me rethink my path. In any event, I found this story, along with its enlightening perspective, to be a terrific read and a credible source of wonder and debate. Its setting in modern day Rome is well-described and articulated from every observation - from ancient architecture and symbolism, to the quaintest of sidewalk cafes. The main characters, along with their contrasting ilk, provide the right amount of inter-personality friction as well as tangible moments of mutual learning, change and self-redemption. Still, beyond the fictional novel lies the truth - maybe - just gnawing at you, daring you to believe, question or investigate. The ending of this book's adventure - depending on one's belief system - has the power to mark the beginning of a brand new one - for the reader.
Atchity's impressive expertise in history, literature and art drives this story relentlessly forward - challenging the reader's own current historic and religious knowledge and/or belief system. Being far from an academic scholar, I found myself dog-earing page after page as a subtle reminder to look up varied elements at a later date. As a result, I wish I had majored in comparative religion. Before this book, only Dan Brown made me rethink my path. In any event, I found this story, along with its enlightening perspective, to be a terrific read and a credible source of wonder and debate. Its setting in modern day Rome is well-described and articulated from every observation - from ancient architecture and symbolism, to the quaintest of sidewalk cafes. The main characters, along with their contrasting ilk, provide the right amount of inter-personality friction as well as tangible moments of mutual learning, change and self-redemption. Still, beyond the fictional novel lies the truth - maybe - just gnawing at you, daring you to believe, question or investigate. The ending of this book's adventure - depending on one's belief system - has the power to mark the beginning of a brand new one - for the reader.
December 19, 2013
Just a quick thought - it makes you think: could all of the parallel events be coincidence? Are they really that similar of events?
July 20, 2012
Although I knew from the book blurb more or less what The Messiah Matrix was about, I wasn’t quite prepared for the unique combination of carefully researched material and breathless adventure story. The subject matter of The Messiah Matrix is controversial, even for someone like me who has no religious leanings, and I expect it will cause a stir in the religious community, and with those of the Catholic faith in particular.
Father Ryan McKeown goes about his daily duties as a Jesuit priest in Rome, not realizing that his life is about to change forever. One fateful day, he hears the confession of a man who claims to have just killed a priest, and then witnesses the murder of the same man on the streets of Rome. Before he takes his final breath, the murderer whispers the message he came to deliver to Father Ryan, a message that will send Ryan on a dangerous search for the truth about the origins of Jesus Christ.
Emily Scelba is an archeologist working on an undersea excavation in the Mediterranean Sea when she discovers a Roman coin called the Augustan aureus, whose existence may throw into a tailspin everything the world has come to believe about religion. Emily takes the coin to a trusted friend to have it cleaned and examined, but her “friend” turns out to be a dishonest opportunist and steals the coin and tries to sell it.
Ryan and Emily are thrown together as they search for the coin and try to unearth the connection between the aureus and the murdered priest, a man named Oscar Isaac that both of them knew and respected, and who was also searching for the aureus. Their discoveries lead them on a hunt through the streets of Rome and into hidden crypts and catacombs, and put them face to face with the men who not only ordered Isaac killed, but who want to keep hidden the dangerous secrets of the Catholic Church that could lead to religious chaos if discovered.
Although filled with exhaustively researched details about how the story of Christ came to be, I was surprised by what an exciting and page-turning read this was. Atchity does a great job of interspersing the historical facts with nail-biting action sequences that propel the story along. One particularly terrifying scene has Emily and Ryan trying to escape a secret catacomb by diving into a boiling, underground river and swimming to safety. The characters of Ryan and Emily are fascinating and well drawn. Ryan is a man who takes his vows of priesthood very seriously, but who has also been on a personal mission his whole life to validate his beliefs. While his days as a priest should be worry-free and filled with the joy of the duties he performs, he comes across as a tortured soul who has a deep need to know the truth. When his belief system begins to crack, he realizes he may need to adjust his thinking in order to cope with the new information he and Emily have discovered.
Emily too is an interesting character. She’s a smart and beautiful woman, also driven to seek the truth, but her pursuits are more scholarly than Ryan’s. When they get together the sparks fly in more ways than one. Infusing romance between lead characters is nothing new, in fact most readers come to expect it. But Atchity throws a wrench into the romance by making his male character a priest, and this gives Father Ryan something else to worry about: he is attracted to a woman, but according to his vow of celibacy he can’t do anything about it.
The author imparts much of his researched information through flashbacks to the days of Caesar Augustus, the first emperor of Rome. These chapters not only immerse the reader in the rich history of Rome, but give great insight into the main premise of The Messiah Matrix: that the “myths” of Jesus Christ and his birth that we are familiar with from the Bible came from a combination of many sources over time, originating with Augustus. Atchity smartly imparts this controversial information without too much emotion, leaving each individual reader free to decide for himself what may or may not be true. The only flaw in the story, in my opinion, is the ending, where his secular and scholarly observations turned a bit preachy. But I was riveted by the tales of religious iconic imagery, like the cross and Jesus’ crown of thorns, and the actual origins of these images (at least according to Atchity). The author also includes a table of events at the back of the book that gives the reader an easy-to-understand comparison between his researched facts and the events of Jesus' life highlighted in the Bible.
For anyone who loves thrillers, romance, and a story that may forever challenge the way you look at religion, The Messiah Matrix is highly recommended.
Many thanks to Mr. Atchity for supplying a review copy.
This review originally appeared on Books, Bones & Buffy.
Father Ryan McKeown goes about his daily duties as a Jesuit priest in Rome, not realizing that his life is about to change forever. One fateful day, he hears the confession of a man who claims to have just killed a priest, and then witnesses the murder of the same man on the streets of Rome. Before he takes his final breath, the murderer whispers the message he came to deliver to Father Ryan, a message that will send Ryan on a dangerous search for the truth about the origins of Jesus Christ.
Emily Scelba is an archeologist working on an undersea excavation in the Mediterranean Sea when she discovers a Roman coin called the Augustan aureus, whose existence may throw into a tailspin everything the world has come to believe about religion. Emily takes the coin to a trusted friend to have it cleaned and examined, but her “friend” turns out to be a dishonest opportunist and steals the coin and tries to sell it.
Ryan and Emily are thrown together as they search for the coin and try to unearth the connection between the aureus and the murdered priest, a man named Oscar Isaac that both of them knew and respected, and who was also searching for the aureus. Their discoveries lead them on a hunt through the streets of Rome and into hidden crypts and catacombs, and put them face to face with the men who not only ordered Isaac killed, but who want to keep hidden the dangerous secrets of the Catholic Church that could lead to religious chaos if discovered.
Although filled with exhaustively researched details about how the story of Christ came to be, I was surprised by what an exciting and page-turning read this was. Atchity does a great job of interspersing the historical facts with nail-biting action sequences that propel the story along. One particularly terrifying scene has Emily and Ryan trying to escape a secret catacomb by diving into a boiling, underground river and swimming to safety. The characters of Ryan and Emily are fascinating and well drawn. Ryan is a man who takes his vows of priesthood very seriously, but who has also been on a personal mission his whole life to validate his beliefs. While his days as a priest should be worry-free and filled with the joy of the duties he performs, he comes across as a tortured soul who has a deep need to know the truth. When his belief system begins to crack, he realizes he may need to adjust his thinking in order to cope with the new information he and Emily have discovered.
Emily too is an interesting character. She’s a smart and beautiful woman, also driven to seek the truth, but her pursuits are more scholarly than Ryan’s. When they get together the sparks fly in more ways than one. Infusing romance between lead characters is nothing new, in fact most readers come to expect it. But Atchity throws a wrench into the romance by making his male character a priest, and this gives Father Ryan something else to worry about: he is attracted to a woman, but according to his vow of celibacy he can’t do anything about it.
The author imparts much of his researched information through flashbacks to the days of Caesar Augustus, the first emperor of Rome. These chapters not only immerse the reader in the rich history of Rome, but give great insight into the main premise of The Messiah Matrix: that the “myths” of Jesus Christ and his birth that we are familiar with from the Bible came from a combination of many sources over time, originating with Augustus. Atchity smartly imparts this controversial information without too much emotion, leaving each individual reader free to decide for himself what may or may not be true. The only flaw in the story, in my opinion, is the ending, where his secular and scholarly observations turned a bit preachy. But I was riveted by the tales of religious iconic imagery, like the cross and Jesus’ crown of thorns, and the actual origins of these images (at least according to Atchity). The author also includes a table of events at the back of the book that gives the reader an easy-to-understand comparison between his researched facts and the events of Jesus' life highlighted in the Bible.
For anyone who loves thrillers, romance, and a story that may forever challenge the way you look at religion, The Messiah Matrix is highly recommended.
Many thanks to Mr. Atchity for supplying a review copy.
This review originally appeared on Books, Bones & Buffy.
September 13, 2013
Not always my favorite style of writing, a after the fact ending that seemed to detract from the story, and yet...it touches on questions thinking people of faith consider, provides a view that is intriguing and interesting, and at its' best, invites people to consider the commonalities of religion rather than distinctions.
To what lengths would the Vatican go to suppress the secret origins of its power?
The Messiah Matrix is a myth-shattering thriller whose protagonists delve into the secrets of the past—and expose those who hide them still.
A renowned scholar-monsignor is killed in a mysterious hit-and-run in Rome. A Roman coin is recovered from a wreck off the coast of ancient Judea. It’s up to his young American protégé--a Jesuit priest--and a vivacious, brilliant archaeologist to connect these seemingly disparate events and unravel the tapestry that conceals in plain view the greatest mystery in the ecclesiastical world.
Together they pursue their passion for truth—while fighting to control their passion for each other.
What they uncover is an ancient Roman imperial stratagem so controversial the Curia fears it could undermine the very foundations of the Roman Catholic faith.
From the ancient port of Caesarea to Rome's legendary catacombs and the sacred caves of Cumae, this contemporary novel follows their exhilarating quest to uncover the truth about the historical existence of the real "Christian Savior."
The Messiah Matrix may prove to be one of the most thought-provoking
books ever written.
Classical scholar and Yale Ph.D. Dr. Kenneth John Atchity is the only author alive today capable of creating this literary and historically-based masterpiece.
"All that is hidden must now be revealed."
To what lengths would the Vatican go to suppress the secret origins of its power?
The Messiah Matrix is a myth-shattering thriller whose protagonists delve into the secrets of the past—and expose those who hide them still.
A renowned scholar-monsignor is killed in a mysterious hit-and-run in Rome. A Roman coin is recovered from a wreck off the coast of ancient Judea. It’s up to his young American protégé--a Jesuit priest--and a vivacious, brilliant archaeologist to connect these seemingly disparate events and unravel the tapestry that conceals in plain view the greatest mystery in the ecclesiastical world.
Together they pursue their passion for truth—while fighting to control their passion for each other.
What they uncover is an ancient Roman imperial stratagem so controversial the Curia fears it could undermine the very foundations of the Roman Catholic faith.
From the ancient port of Caesarea to Rome's legendary catacombs and the sacred caves of Cumae, this contemporary novel follows their exhilarating quest to uncover the truth about the historical existence of the real "Christian Savior."
The Messiah Matrix may prove to be one of the most thought-provoking
books ever written.
Classical scholar and Yale Ph.D. Dr. Kenneth John Atchity is the only author alive today capable of creating this literary and historically-based masterpiece.
"All that is hidden must now be revealed."
November 8, 2012
This isn't your average thriller. Certainly, the reader gets his or her share of suspense, near misses and harrowing escapes. This is story that takes an historical perspective because its very subject matter is historical perspective. I recommend it to the reader who likes to think. Because Atchity offers a great many ideas about religion, history, cultural identity mixed into the action and jeopardy, he has created something that mirrors our lives in time. It's tough to reflect when we are in motion especially the motion of life in full flight. Only at the end, his reader and his main characters allowed to reflect on ideas that are among the most significant to human beings, like skiing the Matterhorn while chatting with Robert Graves. Exactly the kind of thing I love.
June 15, 2014
Good reading
A very different take on the story of the Messiah. Good reading and great characters. I enjoyed this book and would recommend to anyone who likes historical stories.
A very different take on the story of the Messiah. Good reading and great characters. I enjoyed this book and would recommend to anyone who likes historical stories.
November 4, 2013
The Messiah Matrix: Kenneth John Atchity
A matrix is defined as “ A situation or surrounding substance within which something else originates, develops, or is contained.” Within the pages of this intricate novel we learn about the origins of situations in the past the have reflected themselves in the present as the author takes us back in time to 70A.D. when Flavius Josephus the Historian decided to add 100 words that would change the course of history and the perspective on the existence of one man who was and still is crucial to the Church and Christianity, Christ. Did he really exist? Why is that so many scholars, writers never make mention to actually seeing Jesus in person. Those investigating this issue found one physical reference in a document titled: Testimonium Flavianum added to an edition of his book: Josephus’ Antiquities of the Jews, where he makes mention of his existence. Antiquities 18.3.3. "Now there was about this time Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man, for he was a doer of wonderful works, a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure. He drew over to him both many of the Jews, and many of the Gentiles. He was the Christ; and when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men amongst us, had condemned him to the cross, those that loved him at the first did not forsake him, for he appeared to them alive again the third day, as the divine prophets had foretold these and ten thousand other wonderful things concerning him; and the tribe of Christians, so named from him, are not extinct to this day."
According to history Pilate condemned him to be crucified and to his death. Some who became his disciples did not abandon him. Some reported that he appeared three days after he was crucified and he was the Messiah. But, our novel begins with the murder of a Monsignor authorized we are told by the Holy Mother Church as related by his killer who seeks redemption from Father Ryan and absolution for his sins. But, no sooner does the young Priest begin speaking to him in the Confessional, this man runs out of the church and finds himself the next victim. Why was he sent? Why would the Holy Mother Church order the death of this great man and what do the final words of the killer mean?
Diving in the ancient Harbor in Israel, Emily, an archeologist and her team are diving below the surface and encounter some rough waters. Hidden below the surface in a boat that has been there for many years is a treasure that will change the course of many lives and endanger those that found it. Two of her student divers remain below the surface during this dangerous storm causing Emily to have to find out their fate. Diving, searching and finally learning the reason why their rise to the surface was delayed she decides to complete what they started. Beneath and stuck in a krater was a gold coin. But, not just any gold coin one that was enveloped in bronze by its first owner who left it there thinking he might return for it at a later date but never did. “The Augustan Aureus: never released, was sitting in the palm of her hands.” The author vividly describes the coin: the figure portrayed is wearing a crown that appears to look like thorns. His face has a beard and the thorns look like a halo of spikes differing from the coin depicted on the cover of this book. Within the coin the creator inscribed: Chi and Rho, Greek Letters. The discussion was exciting and heated between Emily and her two students as the history behind the coin is revealed, their excitement palpable and the need to protect the coin noted. Meeting a man named Luke who Emily feels might provide more answers and perhaps funding for her team to continue their research in this field.
Father Ryan relates his meeting with our late Monsignor and the fact he too was in search of answers regarding Christ and his existence. Throughout Chapter 10 he relates what he learned about the man, the many scholars who published documents back then but never mentioned seeing Jesus in person and determining how to handle the fact that the killer, an Albanian man died in his arms and whether he should report it. The chapter relates information about Herod, the slaughter of male infants and the rumor of a royal birth. It continues with his meetings with the Monsignor, his lifestyle and wondering what he might have found in the Sibyl’s cave that got him killed.
Three separate plots: two murders, a coin that could change it all and a Priest that wants to find the connection between the death of the clergyman and the secret he might have buried with him. The Messiah Matrix will hopefully answer this question, leave readers asking more of their own and hopefully enlighten everyone about the research and the history related to Jesus and his existence.
Getting to understand Father Ryan we learn just what a threat he seems to be to the Vatican when summoned to the office of the Procurator General of the Society of Jesus and we hear his tone, his threats to Ryan and the end result in being attacked, entombed when looking at the sarcophagus of St. Paul and then bumping into Emily and finding out it is the Bishop and many attached to the Jesuits that are involved. Followed, shot at, attacked and learning the name of the bishop behind it all is not even the tip of the iceberg for these two when they team up to find out what caused someone kill Oscar Isaac their beloved Monsignor. The book is replete in history and the Monsignor found a link between Jesus and Augustus, which is explained in detail. Next, the cameo of the Emperor Augustus with a crown and holding the royal Roman Scepter carved they think during the time Christ was depicted on the center of the holy cross. This cameo was said to mean that the emperor was the “earthly representative of the almighty power of God.” He was also hoping to find the coin that Emily recovered and he thought his research important for the “origins of Christianity,” dangerous to the church and the Vatican. Finding the coin that was so valuable and the events that followed alerted Ryan to why he had to fear Pimental the Procurator. But, there is much more as the man who cleaned the coin, translated the words for the one person she thought she could trust but not only stole it from her but intended to capitalize on it, realized that on the coin in Greek were the words: God and son of god embossed across from the name: Jasius Augustus.
As you read this novel many different viewpoints come to light regarding Jesus as the Son of God and the Roman Emperor Augustus thought to be the real Son of God according to the Monsignor’s research. If this is true and he is said to be son of god then the Christian Savior should be considered even more a Son of God which explains the tension that mounts within this novel between the Christian church, the Jesuits and the conflict that Father Ryan and Emily face as they come in contact with those that are behind the events that almost took their lives and did take the lives of three others. The Antiquities of the Jews and the crown that was worn by Apollo and the evidence found in the cave and presented to them will give every reader pause for thought, reason to do the research into what is presented themselves and make your own final decision. The cult of Augustus was “reinstated by Constantine,” and revived in the present. In other words Augustus had “designated a dozen of his pontiffs as August ales, to spread the rubrics of his cult throughout the empire.” In reality what Emily and the Monsignor uncovered is from what is depicted on her coin: the bearded image of Augustus wearing the Crown of Thorns- standing for the golden spiked one worn by Apollo. In reality when they asses what they have found, rendered all of the information in the files found in the catacombs and more the end result is that Isaac surmised that : Jesus was Augustus and Ryan has been asked to continue on with his work called the Messiah Matrix.
Was Jesus a real person? From the research presented within this novel the author relates that Augustus founded Christianity. The story created by Pimental and the Bishop would change the course of history. Stating that the imperial cult of Augustus Caesar was Christianity in itself. As we hear Pimental and Emily speak and the research of the Monsignor revealed we learn what others believe to be the truth: that Jesus Christ was “ simply the imperial cult name for the deified Caesar Augustus and the Church Fathers would later spin the manufactured mythology to create a literal biblical Jesus.” When the truth as they tell it unfolds the answers reflect that a mythology emerged into religious power and housed itself with the guardians and those who related the what they thought the real version of religion. Temptations rise, lives are placed in danger as Emily and Ryan face the challenge of their lives but first they have to escape what has been planned for them by those that appear to want them to submit to their will. A final scene will make readers hold their breath as Emily and Ryan are sent head first into a boiling underground river and hope to emerge unscathed.
Characters that are quite interesting and a storyline you will have decide for yourself whether you believe or not. As you read the final chapters and hear the voices from the past of the Emperors, Virgil as he is honored and allowed to sit with the Emperor. What is truth and what did they decide to recreate and change you will have to read and hear the voices of Virgil, Augustus and those in attendance to find out. Creating a cult, which would unify the people of the empire and bring peace. A document or book that would relate the facts and events the way they had conceived them making one man the true God in the eyes of the people. When Ryan and Emily present their findings and you read the last chapter and the chart they created of the events from start to finish, you the reader will decide: Was the real Jesus the one born in a manger or was Jesus: Jesus Augustus? You decide after reading this outstanding novel whose research and an ending that will bring it all full circle.
Fran Lewis: reviewer
A matrix is defined as “ A situation or surrounding substance within which something else originates, develops, or is contained.” Within the pages of this intricate novel we learn about the origins of situations in the past the have reflected themselves in the present as the author takes us back in time to 70A.D. when Flavius Josephus the Historian decided to add 100 words that would change the course of history and the perspective on the existence of one man who was and still is crucial to the Church and Christianity, Christ. Did he really exist? Why is that so many scholars, writers never make mention to actually seeing Jesus in person. Those investigating this issue found one physical reference in a document titled: Testimonium Flavianum added to an edition of his book: Josephus’ Antiquities of the Jews, where he makes mention of his existence. Antiquities 18.3.3. "Now there was about this time Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man, for he was a doer of wonderful works, a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure. He drew over to him both many of the Jews, and many of the Gentiles. He was the Christ; and when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men amongst us, had condemned him to the cross, those that loved him at the first did not forsake him, for he appeared to them alive again the third day, as the divine prophets had foretold these and ten thousand other wonderful things concerning him; and the tribe of Christians, so named from him, are not extinct to this day."
According to history Pilate condemned him to be crucified and to his death. Some who became his disciples did not abandon him. Some reported that he appeared three days after he was crucified and he was the Messiah. But, our novel begins with the murder of a Monsignor authorized we are told by the Holy Mother Church as related by his killer who seeks redemption from Father Ryan and absolution for his sins. But, no sooner does the young Priest begin speaking to him in the Confessional, this man runs out of the church and finds himself the next victim. Why was he sent? Why would the Holy Mother Church order the death of this great man and what do the final words of the killer mean?
Diving in the ancient Harbor in Israel, Emily, an archeologist and her team are diving below the surface and encounter some rough waters. Hidden below the surface in a boat that has been there for many years is a treasure that will change the course of many lives and endanger those that found it. Two of her student divers remain below the surface during this dangerous storm causing Emily to have to find out their fate. Diving, searching and finally learning the reason why their rise to the surface was delayed she decides to complete what they started. Beneath and stuck in a krater was a gold coin. But, not just any gold coin one that was enveloped in bronze by its first owner who left it there thinking he might return for it at a later date but never did. “The Augustan Aureus: never released, was sitting in the palm of her hands.” The author vividly describes the coin: the figure portrayed is wearing a crown that appears to look like thorns. His face has a beard and the thorns look like a halo of spikes differing from the coin depicted on the cover of this book. Within the coin the creator inscribed: Chi and Rho, Greek Letters. The discussion was exciting and heated between Emily and her two students as the history behind the coin is revealed, their excitement palpable and the need to protect the coin noted. Meeting a man named Luke who Emily feels might provide more answers and perhaps funding for her team to continue their research in this field.
Father Ryan relates his meeting with our late Monsignor and the fact he too was in search of answers regarding Christ and his existence. Throughout Chapter 10 he relates what he learned about the man, the many scholars who published documents back then but never mentioned seeing Jesus in person and determining how to handle the fact that the killer, an Albanian man died in his arms and whether he should report it. The chapter relates information about Herod, the slaughter of male infants and the rumor of a royal birth. It continues with his meetings with the Monsignor, his lifestyle and wondering what he might have found in the Sibyl’s cave that got him killed.
Three separate plots: two murders, a coin that could change it all and a Priest that wants to find the connection between the death of the clergyman and the secret he might have buried with him. The Messiah Matrix will hopefully answer this question, leave readers asking more of their own and hopefully enlighten everyone about the research and the history related to Jesus and his existence.
Getting to understand Father Ryan we learn just what a threat he seems to be to the Vatican when summoned to the office of the Procurator General of the Society of Jesus and we hear his tone, his threats to Ryan and the end result in being attacked, entombed when looking at the sarcophagus of St. Paul and then bumping into Emily and finding out it is the Bishop and many attached to the Jesuits that are involved. Followed, shot at, attacked and learning the name of the bishop behind it all is not even the tip of the iceberg for these two when they team up to find out what caused someone kill Oscar Isaac their beloved Monsignor. The book is replete in history and the Monsignor found a link between Jesus and Augustus, which is explained in detail. Next, the cameo of the Emperor Augustus with a crown and holding the royal Roman Scepter carved they think during the time Christ was depicted on the center of the holy cross. This cameo was said to mean that the emperor was the “earthly representative of the almighty power of God.” He was also hoping to find the coin that Emily recovered and he thought his research important for the “origins of Christianity,” dangerous to the church and the Vatican. Finding the coin that was so valuable and the events that followed alerted Ryan to why he had to fear Pimental the Procurator. But, there is much more as the man who cleaned the coin, translated the words for the one person she thought she could trust but not only stole it from her but intended to capitalize on it, realized that on the coin in Greek were the words: God and son of god embossed across from the name: Jasius Augustus.
As you read this novel many different viewpoints come to light regarding Jesus as the Son of God and the Roman Emperor Augustus thought to be the real Son of God according to the Monsignor’s research. If this is true and he is said to be son of god then the Christian Savior should be considered even more a Son of God which explains the tension that mounts within this novel between the Christian church, the Jesuits and the conflict that Father Ryan and Emily face as they come in contact with those that are behind the events that almost took their lives and did take the lives of three others. The Antiquities of the Jews and the crown that was worn by Apollo and the evidence found in the cave and presented to them will give every reader pause for thought, reason to do the research into what is presented themselves and make your own final decision. The cult of Augustus was “reinstated by Constantine,” and revived in the present. In other words Augustus had “designated a dozen of his pontiffs as August ales, to spread the rubrics of his cult throughout the empire.” In reality what Emily and the Monsignor uncovered is from what is depicted on her coin: the bearded image of Augustus wearing the Crown of Thorns- standing for the golden spiked one worn by Apollo. In reality when they asses what they have found, rendered all of the information in the files found in the catacombs and more the end result is that Isaac surmised that : Jesus was Augustus and Ryan has been asked to continue on with his work called the Messiah Matrix.
Was Jesus a real person? From the research presented within this novel the author relates that Augustus founded Christianity. The story created by Pimental and the Bishop would change the course of history. Stating that the imperial cult of Augustus Caesar was Christianity in itself. As we hear Pimental and Emily speak and the research of the Monsignor revealed we learn what others believe to be the truth: that Jesus Christ was “ simply the imperial cult name for the deified Caesar Augustus and the Church Fathers would later spin the manufactured mythology to create a literal biblical Jesus.” When the truth as they tell it unfolds the answers reflect that a mythology emerged into religious power and housed itself with the guardians and those who related the what they thought the real version of religion. Temptations rise, lives are placed in danger as Emily and Ryan face the challenge of their lives but first they have to escape what has been planned for them by those that appear to want them to submit to their will. A final scene will make readers hold their breath as Emily and Ryan are sent head first into a boiling underground river and hope to emerge unscathed.
Characters that are quite interesting and a storyline you will have decide for yourself whether you believe or not. As you read the final chapters and hear the voices from the past of the Emperors, Virgil as he is honored and allowed to sit with the Emperor. What is truth and what did they decide to recreate and change you will have to read and hear the voices of Virgil, Augustus and those in attendance to find out. Creating a cult, which would unify the people of the empire and bring peace. A document or book that would relate the facts and events the way they had conceived them making one man the true God in the eyes of the people. When Ryan and Emily present their findings and you read the last chapter and the chart they created of the events from start to finish, you the reader will decide: Was the real Jesus the one born in a manger or was Jesus: Jesus Augustus? You decide after reading this outstanding novel whose research and an ending that will bring it all full circle.
Fran Lewis: reviewer
September 27, 2017
An exciting read that immediately calls for comparison with Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code. Written by a scholar, and the result of years of investigation in the origins of Christianity, there is a lot to learn here for most readers (myself included).
My only gripe with this book: it doesn't draw accurately the border between fact and fiction, and a lot of facts about the Catholic Church are borderline fake - or at least, twisted so that they are barely recognizable. With Dan Brown, you know he's making it all up. His story about Jesus Christ just doesn't hold the line. With Atchity who is a respected scholar, it's more complicated, the research is far more comprehensive and goes deeper. So it is hard to figure out just when you're on solid ground and when you've stepped out on uncertain, shaky grounds.
I find this dangerous. The book is presented as a novel, in short as "pure fiction", and I suspect a lot of readers - at least the true believers - will walk away feeling that this is exactly what it is: Fiction and nothing more. It would have been fairer to present the thesis of this book in a non-fiction work. He does a good work in making us (nearly) believe that there is no historic Jesus Christ, that he was a fiction that was started off by the Roman Emperor Augustus in 19 BC in an effort to portray himself as the Son of God, thus achieving the ultimate consecration of his power.
The general culture at the time, in particular the on-going foundational myths from ancient Egypt onwards, all tell the same story of God-turned-Man-for-his-Redemption. But all that merely means that when people heard about Jesus Christ, his story was a story for the times, a story a lot of people were ready to believe in, it rang many bells. And it explains a mystery, why christian beliefs spread so rapidly through the Roman Empire even though they became an official religion only four centuries later, after Jesus Christ's death, with Constantine and his mother Helen.
It does NOT prove that there was no historic Christ. This is a point Atchity does not address. He can do so because the book is a novel, but he couldn't get away with this if it were non-fiction.
So one should judge the book on the criteria used for fiction. Which is why I rated it 4 stars: excellent thriller, a page turner, but a little weak on character-building. As one reviewer noted, by the end of the book, one doesn't know anymore about the main characters than one did at the beginning. Also, I had my usual problems with the internal logic of thriller plots. Like in so many crime and adventure movies you see these days, you are expected to make leaps of faith as the main characters escape in a chase that would, by all logic, lead to their certain death.
My only gripe with this book: it doesn't draw accurately the border between fact and fiction, and a lot of facts about the Catholic Church are borderline fake - or at least, twisted so that they are barely recognizable. With Dan Brown, you know he's making it all up. His story about Jesus Christ just doesn't hold the line. With Atchity who is a respected scholar, it's more complicated, the research is far more comprehensive and goes deeper. So it is hard to figure out just when you're on solid ground and when you've stepped out on uncertain, shaky grounds.
I find this dangerous. The book is presented as a novel, in short as "pure fiction", and I suspect a lot of readers - at least the true believers - will walk away feeling that this is exactly what it is: Fiction and nothing more. It would have been fairer to present the thesis of this book in a non-fiction work. He does a good work in making us (nearly) believe that there is no historic Jesus Christ, that he was a fiction that was started off by the Roman Emperor Augustus in 19 BC in an effort to portray himself as the Son of God, thus achieving the ultimate consecration of his power.
The general culture at the time, in particular the on-going foundational myths from ancient Egypt onwards, all tell the same story of God-turned-Man-for-his-Redemption. But all that merely means that when people heard about Jesus Christ, his story was a story for the times, a story a lot of people were ready to believe in, it rang many bells. And it explains a mystery, why christian beliefs spread so rapidly through the Roman Empire even though they became an official religion only four centuries later, after Jesus Christ's death, with Constantine and his mother Helen.
It does NOT prove that there was no historic Christ. This is a point Atchity does not address. He can do so because the book is a novel, but he couldn't get away with this if it were non-fiction.
So one should judge the book on the criteria used for fiction. Which is why I rated it 4 stars: excellent thriller, a page turner, but a little weak on character-building. As one reviewer noted, by the end of the book, one doesn't know anymore about the main characters than one did at the beginning. Also, I had my usual problems with the internal logic of thriller plots. Like in so many crime and adventure movies you see these days, you are expected to make leaps of faith as the main characters escape in a chase that would, by all logic, lead to their certain death.
October 10, 2017
The Messiah Matrix
Kenneth John Atchity
Publisher: BooksGoSocial
Date of Publishing: October 1, 2014
This book was reviewed for NetGalley and BooksGoSocial in exchange for my honest review
Many of us have either read or seen a movie based on Dan Brown books, Angels & Demons, The DaVinci Code or even the latest motion picture Inferno. Like Mr. Brown's novels "The Messiah Matrix is based on research and what ifs. Together Mr. Atchity has woven a story of suspense and thrilling action. We know the church is willing to destroy hundred if not thousands to keep it position and doctrine , but that was the early church. Shortly after its inception. Surly not is modern times, yet what if it were. What could have the church itself hire an assassin to kill one of its own?
The Messiah Matrix follow that question when a man is hired to run down and kill a man. When he sees the man clearly just before his vehicle strikes and realizes it a man of the church he tried to avoid him, but can not. He jumps out of the vehicle and hears the monsignor's last word that will haunt him till his dying day. He finds Father Yan and with his dying breath passes on the message. This begins the story of how knowledge can be deadly when it threatens one of the larges and wide spread organizations in the world, The Catholic church.
I am an avid reader of Christian fiction and books based on the faith. I found Atchity's novel one the held me in its grip from the start. The research is sound and with the twist he has added it sounds believable. You will fins yourself looking up some of the research yourself, thanking, I never knew that and then you stop just to enjoy the story unfolding before you. If Kenneth Atchity decides to do another such novel I would definitely be in line to read it. He makes you question everything and take little at face value. "The Messiah Matrix is a novel that can be classed as Intrigue, thriller, suspense even a possible romance but it will never be called dry and boring.
I gave "The Messiah Matrix" a 4.5 out of a total of 5 stars.
Kenneth John Atchity
Publisher: BooksGoSocial
Date of Publishing: October 1, 2014
This book was reviewed for NetGalley and BooksGoSocial in exchange for my honest review
Many of us have either read or seen a movie based on Dan Brown books, Angels & Demons, The DaVinci Code or even the latest motion picture Inferno. Like Mr. Brown's novels "The Messiah Matrix is based on research and what ifs. Together Mr. Atchity has woven a story of suspense and thrilling action. We know the church is willing to destroy hundred if not thousands to keep it position and doctrine , but that was the early church. Shortly after its inception. Surly not is modern times, yet what if it were. What could have the church itself hire an assassin to kill one of its own?
The Messiah Matrix follow that question when a man is hired to run down and kill a man. When he sees the man clearly just before his vehicle strikes and realizes it a man of the church he tried to avoid him, but can not. He jumps out of the vehicle and hears the monsignor's last word that will haunt him till his dying day. He finds Father Yan and with his dying breath passes on the message. This begins the story of how knowledge can be deadly when it threatens one of the larges and wide spread organizations in the world, The Catholic church.
I am an avid reader of Christian fiction and books based on the faith. I found Atchity's novel one the held me in its grip from the start. The research is sound and with the twist he has added it sounds believable. You will fins yourself looking up some of the research yourself, thanking, I never knew that and then you stop just to enjoy the story unfolding before you. If Kenneth Atchity decides to do another such novel I would definitely be in line to read it. He makes you question everything and take little at face value. "The Messiah Matrix is a novel that can be classed as Intrigue, thriller, suspense even a possible romance but it will never be called dry and boring.
I gave "The Messiah Matrix" a 4.5 out of a total of 5 stars.
December 23, 2017
I finally finished The Messiah Matrix, which is one of my first (english) novels I read as e-book. Although it’s the same book, it’s a different experience, as one is tempted to use extra features like, e.g., the built-in dictionary. But this is not about using an e-book for a foreign language novel.
On topic. I do not remember, how I found about this novel. Kenneth Atchity was unknown to me prior to reading The Messiah Matrix, also he wrote quite a bunch of books, fiction and non-fiction. And one can feel his experience in writing, as the novel took me in quickly. It has quite a good overall pace, taking up its speed from the beginning with a murder, a confession, and a mystic discovery of some coin. Unfortunately, it loses some of the thrill in the mid of the story, when the parallel threads merge, and historical story-telling is used to explain the theories of Monsignor Oscar Issac, who worked for the Society of Jesus to find about the true origins of the New Testament. Not to mention that his search triggered some guys of the catholic church to run several not-so-christian actions.
The main protagonists, Father Ryan McKeown and Professor Emily Scelba, are drawn into the trial of the early dead Isaac by relationship to the Monsignor, so far so logical. Throughout the story, quite a lot of coincidences and luck lead to a fair plausible plot. The protagonists sometimes seem a bit naive, sometimes very clever, and most times very lucky. But, how else would such a story work out?
Regarding the overall story, I think it’s a quite interesting idea to try explain the Testament’s coming into existence from a real history background like told. As a downside, to me, the novel has a bit to much of a happy ending and does not leave anything open to think about.
On topic. I do not remember, how I found about this novel. Kenneth Atchity was unknown to me prior to reading The Messiah Matrix, also he wrote quite a bunch of books, fiction and non-fiction. And one can feel his experience in writing, as the novel took me in quickly. It has quite a good overall pace, taking up its speed from the beginning with a murder, a confession, and a mystic discovery of some coin. Unfortunately, it loses some of the thrill in the mid of the story, when the parallel threads merge, and historical story-telling is used to explain the theories of Monsignor Oscar Issac, who worked for the Society of Jesus to find about the true origins of the New Testament. Not to mention that his search triggered some guys of the catholic church to run several not-so-christian actions.
The main protagonists, Father Ryan McKeown and Professor Emily Scelba, are drawn into the trial of the early dead Isaac by relationship to the Monsignor, so far so logical. Throughout the story, quite a lot of coincidences and luck lead to a fair plausible plot. The protagonists sometimes seem a bit naive, sometimes very clever, and most times very lucky. But, how else would such a story work out?
Regarding the overall story, I think it’s a quite interesting idea to try explain the Testament’s coming into existence from a real history background like told. As a downside, to me, the novel has a bit to much of a happy ending and does not leave anything open to think about.
October 29, 2017
My husband still jokes that I do have a fondness for books with a red cross on the cover, anything templar related, I devour. Whle not a red cross, there is a cross on the cover and I love anything where religion or spirituality are part of a secret or a mystery. This book did not disappoint in that regard and it was an intriguiung story.
It's difficult to write this without spoilers and if I attempt to condense the intricate plot, that's what there would be. It starts with the murder of a Vatican Monsignor and has connections to an ancient Roman coin found of the coast of Judea - a coin that seems to show a Roman emperor wearing a crown of thorns. But this coin was cast long before Jesus Christ and the mystery gets started from there. I can't say too much else without spoilers, so I'll leave the plot there.
An imaginitave tale well told with characters you care about. There is just enough detail and description to help the reader visualise things, but not so much so that you are bogged down with descriptions.
The plot is fast-paced without being frantic and there are mysteries and discoveries galore. But as well as the plot there are emotional connections between the characters. It feels like you are accompanying Emily and Father Ryan to find out the truth and you get to feel for them as characters. Any story can fail if you don't connect with the characters and I did feel very attached to them here.
If you like Dan Brown, Boyd Morrison or Scott Mariani books, then I think you'd enjoy this too. An intelligent, well thought-out thriller which raises lots of interesting questions.
ARC from Netgalley.
It's difficult to write this without spoilers and if I attempt to condense the intricate plot, that's what there would be. It starts with the murder of a Vatican Monsignor and has connections to an ancient Roman coin found of the coast of Judea - a coin that seems to show a Roman emperor wearing a crown of thorns. But this coin was cast long before Jesus Christ and the mystery gets started from there. I can't say too much else without spoilers, so I'll leave the plot there.
An imaginitave tale well told with characters you care about. There is just enough detail and description to help the reader visualise things, but not so much so that you are bogged down with descriptions.
The plot is fast-paced without being frantic and there are mysteries and discoveries galore. But as well as the plot there are emotional connections between the characters. It feels like you are accompanying Emily and Father Ryan to find out the truth and you get to feel for them as characters. Any story can fail if you don't connect with the characters and I did feel very attached to them here.
If you like Dan Brown, Boyd Morrison or Scott Mariani books, then I think you'd enjoy this too. An intelligent, well thought-out thriller which raises lots of interesting questions.
ARC from Netgalley.
January 18, 2022
You're better off reading academic works (Christ myth theory, early Christianity, Roman Empire, Egyptian mythology, Greek philosophies, etc), and it felt like this book was an attempt to turn a collection of historical facts into a novel. This book is predictable, slow, and the ending is eye rolling. In the end, we all hold hands and join one world religion of peace & love, led by the Jesuits. The whole "coexist" and Baháʼí and ecumenical themes at the end are cringe. I read about 3/4 of the way through, then skipping to the final chapters (I could see where this was going), and was disappointed. The characters weren't very interesting or developed. The actual history of the world of early Christianity (which is diverse & covers late 2nd Temple Judaism and the late Roman Empire) is far more interesting that this novel puts forth.
May 3, 2019
This is another in the parade of what i’ve personally begun referring to as “religious artifact” thrillers. While most have started with a Biblical event and proceeded to prove it as either misinterpreted or misunderstood, this story basically has the intention of saying the whole Bible is a piece of fiction. The whole story’s conclusion was obvious before I was halfway through. I only completed reading with the hope that one primary character, who expressed doubt about the ridiculousness of the premise, would be able to bring some sanity to the story, only to see him fall into the insanity also. It was so outrageously inaccurate, I couldn’t enjoy this at all.
January 2, 2018
To what lengths would the Vatican go to protect the Jesus story? Archaeologist and iconographer Emily discovered an ancient coin that could prove Augustus was the first Jesus. Jesuit priest, Ryan, was studying the background of the church and why Jesus was mentioned in no literature of the first two centuries other than the Gospels.
This a fascinating book (shades of Dan Brown) that raises questions about the Catholic Church as well as Cnristianity. Very well worth the read
This a fascinating book (shades of Dan Brown) that raises questions about the Catholic Church as well as Cnristianity. Very well worth the read
October 26, 2016
Ken Atchity is no Dan Brown. Although the books are similar in nature and subject, this one takes a giant leap into the realm of the unbelievable. I have no problem suspending my need for reality when reading a novel because I do so for entertainment; but this one became impossible. I would NOT recommend time with this one.
May 18, 2019
Awesome!
Fascinating religious conspiracy thriller! This one keeps you on your toes. Between dodging bullets, and other dangerous things that go boom, we are trying to !earn who the true Christ is! Utterly exhausting!
Fascinating religious conspiracy thriller! This one keeps you on your toes. Between dodging bullets, and other dangerous things that go boom, we are trying to !earn who the true Christ is! Utterly exhausting!
April 20, 2023
A thriller for lifelong students
All manner of ideas, traditions, histories are folded into this concoction. Characters and crises spin through the narrative. Atchity’s deep classical understandings fascinate and challenge the reader.
All manner of ideas, traditions, histories are folded into this concoction. Characters and crises spin through the narrative. Atchity’s deep classical understandings fascinate and challenge the reader.
April 26, 2018
An excellent read
Fact, fiction, or a little of both. How much of each we will never know. Either way it's certainly both thought provoking and entertaining.
Fact, fiction, or a little of both. How much of each we will never know. Either way it's certainly both thought provoking and entertaining.
October 4, 2018
Very believable in this day and age!
May 1, 2019
When a writer starts to write a book in this 'Dan Brown' genre, at least he needs to get his 'theological' research right.
April 9, 2013
THE MESSIAH MATRIX
A Thriller by
Kenneth John Atchity
OVERVIEW: (from The Messiah Matrix Home)
What Lengths Would The Vatican Go To Suppress The Origins Of Their Faith??
That's the story behind THE MESSIAH MATRIX, a thriller that delves into the secrets of the past, and brings forward those who hide them still. You will follow a young Jesuit priest and a brilliant archaeologist as they seek their passion for truth. At the same time they are trying to control their passion for each other. During their trek for truth they uncover a well kept secret. A secret that the Vatican has been keeping. A secret that the Curia has never wanted to be known.
From the first page to the last you are on a quest from the ancient city of Caesarea to Rome's catacombs and beyond. It is a confirmation for those who ever wondered about the historical existence of the "Christian Saviour".
This book may be the most thought provoking thriller ever written. Classical scholar and Yale Ph.D. Dr.Kenneth L John Atchity is the only author alive today capable of creating this literary and historically-based masterpiece.
"All that is hidden must now be revealed."
REVIEW:
Author, Kenneth John Atchity, Ph.D., writes a brilliant novel, THE MESSIAH MATRIX. It is a story that makes the reader view religion differently. Mr. Atchity is an accomplished author, scholar and producer. There definitely isn't any disappointment in his writing.
The book is definitely a page turner. It puts that gray matter to work. As the author seeks truth and origin of Christianity, the book draws the reader into corruption,, murder, romance and rich history. The setting is in Italy. The author has done much research to write this story about such a controversial idea.
You will find that you can't put the book down. The story of Christ is different than the story told by the Bible. The author weaves a web that at times is hard to unravel. The characters become united even when you least expect it. The book has a lot of mystery and yet a lot of usage for the brain. You get to thinking, maybe it was this way.
THE MESSIAH MATRIX's subject matter is highly controversial. I believe some people will be upset with the subject matter. You have to read it with a open mind.
I would recommend this book to anyone who can go into it with an open mind.
I received a complimentary copy of this book, THE MESSIAH MATRIX by Kenneth John Atchity for this unbiased review.
I would give this book a 4 STARS
.www.goodreads.com/book/.../14435212-...
www.shelfari.com
http://bemiown.blogspot.com
[email protected]
www.messiahmatrix.com
www.amazon.com
A Thriller by
Kenneth John Atchity
OVERVIEW: (from The Messiah Matrix Home)
What Lengths Would The Vatican Go To Suppress The Origins Of Their Faith??
That's the story behind THE MESSIAH MATRIX, a thriller that delves into the secrets of the past, and brings forward those who hide them still. You will follow a young Jesuit priest and a brilliant archaeologist as they seek their passion for truth. At the same time they are trying to control their passion for each other. During their trek for truth they uncover a well kept secret. A secret that the Vatican has been keeping. A secret that the Curia has never wanted to be known.
From the first page to the last you are on a quest from the ancient city of Caesarea to Rome's catacombs and beyond. It is a confirmation for those who ever wondered about the historical existence of the "Christian Saviour".
This book may be the most thought provoking thriller ever written. Classical scholar and Yale Ph.D. Dr.Kenneth L John Atchity is the only author alive today capable of creating this literary and historically-based masterpiece.
"All that is hidden must now be revealed."
REVIEW:
Author, Kenneth John Atchity, Ph.D., writes a brilliant novel, THE MESSIAH MATRIX. It is a story that makes the reader view religion differently. Mr. Atchity is an accomplished author, scholar and producer. There definitely isn't any disappointment in his writing.
The book is definitely a page turner. It puts that gray matter to work. As the author seeks truth and origin of Christianity, the book draws the reader into corruption,, murder, romance and rich history. The setting is in Italy. The author has done much research to write this story about such a controversial idea.
You will find that you can't put the book down. The story of Christ is different than the story told by the Bible. The author weaves a web that at times is hard to unravel. The characters become united even when you least expect it. The book has a lot of mystery and yet a lot of usage for the brain. You get to thinking, maybe it was this way.
THE MESSIAH MATRIX's subject matter is highly controversial. I believe some people will be upset with the subject matter. You have to read it with a open mind.
I would recommend this book to anyone who can go into it with an open mind.
I received a complimentary copy of this book, THE MESSIAH MATRIX by Kenneth John Atchity for this unbiased review.
I would give this book a 4 STARS
.www.goodreads.com/book/.../14435212-...
www.shelfari.com
http://bemiown.blogspot.com
[email protected]
www.messiahmatrix.com
www.amazon.com
September 1, 2013
As a child reading the Bible, I remember wondering who Tammuz was and why women were weeping over him--and why this was an "abomination." Even limited research back in the '60's revealed a story too similar to the story of Jesus of Nazareth to be comfortable: best to damn it so as not to interfere with "true belief," right? This book never mentions Tammuz, but it does a good job of presenting many of the conflicts between "standard" Christianity/Catholicism and historical evidence. It presents a question that has haunted humanity: how single-mindedly do we cling to our beliefs? How open are we to the truth? What's the difference between basic truths and the traditions that grow up around them?
In this book, the answers are scary: some people are so invested in their beliefs that they rationalize murder. Our heroes, an archeologist and a Jesuit, are beset at every turn in their quest to find the truth by those who want it kept hidden (as well as some with more convoluted intentions). This makes for some thrilling moments as they chase down clues. We get a romance to boot, although it is handled a bit clumsily in several places. Still, it's well written and the historical perspective is intriguing. I did get a bit tired of hearing about "one of [a murdered character]'s stories as prelude to every scene in the far past because I thought it interfered with the flow, but that's a small niggle. Certainly one of the most chilling things about the book is the recounting of Caesar's manipulation of myth to further his own ends.
Another niggle: the author got carried away in the cave--why does every writer have to try to top Indiana Jones? Yeah, yeah--it'll look good on CGI enhanced film. But anytime I'm reading along, having a good time, and suddenly find myself rolling my eyes, I put a little check in the debit column.
I've seen others were inspired by the final part of the work; I could have done without it. Despite my agreement with many of the sentiments, it seemed odd to end a thriller with a sermon (delivered by a precocious youngster who seemed hollow because we never got a chance to know him). There was plenty throughout the book to deliver the ideas without shoving them down our throats at the end.
Still, I would heartily recommend this book, despite the fact that it will make some people very uncomfortable. Or perhaps that's a recommendation in itself. It is so much more than a quest for "the truth." Our lives have become so intertwined that we really must learn to embrace principles that help us live peacefully together. Holding on to myths, however dear they seem, do not benefit us when we allow them to be used to ostracize, humiliate, or harm others. I hope we'll be seeing more from this author. I would have liked to give 4.5 stars...
In this book, the answers are scary: some people are so invested in their beliefs that they rationalize murder. Our heroes, an archeologist and a Jesuit, are beset at every turn in their quest to find the truth by those who want it kept hidden (as well as some with more convoluted intentions). This makes for some thrilling moments as they chase down clues. We get a romance to boot, although it is handled a bit clumsily in several places. Still, it's well written and the historical perspective is intriguing. I did get a bit tired of hearing about "one of [a murdered character]'s stories as prelude to every scene in the far past because I thought it interfered with the flow, but that's a small niggle. Certainly one of the most chilling things about the book is the recounting of Caesar's manipulation of myth to further his own ends.
Another niggle: the author got carried away in the cave--why does every writer have to try to top Indiana Jones? Yeah, yeah--it'll look good on CGI enhanced film. But anytime I'm reading along, having a good time, and suddenly find myself rolling my eyes, I put a little check in the debit column.
I've seen others were inspired by the final part of the work; I could have done without it. Despite my agreement with many of the sentiments, it seemed odd to end a thriller with a sermon (delivered by a precocious youngster who seemed hollow because we never got a chance to know him). There was plenty throughout the book to deliver the ideas without shoving them down our throats at the end.
Still, I would heartily recommend this book, despite the fact that it will make some people very uncomfortable. Or perhaps that's a recommendation in itself. It is so much more than a quest for "the truth." Our lives have become so intertwined that we really must learn to embrace principles that help us live peacefully together. Holding on to myths, however dear they seem, do not benefit us when we allow them to be used to ostracize, humiliate, or harm others. I hope we'll be seeing more from this author. I would have liked to give 4.5 stars...
October 8, 2012
Messiah Matrix can be noted as a high- minded novel which draws readers into a world filled with corruption, murder, romance and history. The author, Kenneth John Atchity explores a highly controversial idea about the story of Jesus Christ.
Atchity’s extensive research manages to compel the reader’s attention within the first two pages as the novel kicks off with the murder of a monsignor, a confession from his killer and the discovery of a valuable artefact which might just change our understanding of Christianity as we know it.
Readers are drawn into the mind of Father Ryan, a young Jesuit priest who is obsessed in finding the connection between the murders, the message which was delivered by the assassin and his own personal doubts about his religious faith. By questioning the inconsistencies within the Catholic teachings his path crosses that off Emily – a spirited beauty who is the discoverer of the historical artefact.
Together they set off on a journey that not only unravels Christian history but also poses extreme risks for them in face of church authorities. Their findings cast them into a splendidly crafted net that lures readers through Roman History and the ancient story of Augustus. It ends with the truth revealed about the Christian Saviour—one which will come as a surprise to many.
In conclusion: This novel, in my opinion is splendid. The storytelling accelerates in momentum and grabbed my attention from the word go. Sure, there were times where my brain was in panic from all the revelations, but there were also times where the pages just turned themselves from the riveting adventure.
I’m sure the story will raise many questions for people who grew up in deep faith. What’s nice about Atchity’s writing though is the fact that he doesn’t force readers into believing in the book’s premise; instead he merely lays out his research, marvellously joining it together in a provocatively crafted romantic thriller.
Not a light read at all but if you are up for intellectual entertainment - a must read.
Atchity’s extensive research manages to compel the reader’s attention within the first two pages as the novel kicks off with the murder of a monsignor, a confession from his killer and the discovery of a valuable artefact which might just change our understanding of Christianity as we know it.
Readers are drawn into the mind of Father Ryan, a young Jesuit priest who is obsessed in finding the connection between the murders, the message which was delivered by the assassin and his own personal doubts about his religious faith. By questioning the inconsistencies within the Catholic teachings his path crosses that off Emily – a spirited beauty who is the discoverer of the historical artefact.
Together they set off on a journey that not only unravels Christian history but also poses extreme risks for them in face of church authorities. Their findings cast them into a splendidly crafted net that lures readers through Roman History and the ancient story of Augustus. It ends with the truth revealed about the Christian Saviour—one which will come as a surprise to many.
In conclusion: This novel, in my opinion is splendid. The storytelling accelerates in momentum and grabbed my attention from the word go. Sure, there were times where my brain was in panic from all the revelations, but there were also times where the pages just turned themselves from the riveting adventure.
I’m sure the story will raise many questions for people who grew up in deep faith. What’s nice about Atchity’s writing though is the fact that he doesn’t force readers into believing in the book’s premise; instead he merely lays out his research, marvellously joining it together in a provocatively crafted romantic thriller.
Not a light read at all but if you are up for intellectual entertainment - a must read.
August 3, 2014
History is a funny thing; it is basically a tale passed down from one generation to the next. This means it is anyone’s guess as to how much of the story is fact, and how much of the story is just an embellishment to make it sound more interesting. This book is about this very thing. Could Augustus Caesar really be in fact the one and only Jesus? In this, both Father Ryan and Emily Scelba, Ph.D., an expert in ancient iconography, set out to prove this unique theory. The question is, can they control their undeniable passion and stay alive until they fulfill their destines? You will just have to read this book to find out.
My thoughts on this book are mixed. As a general rule, I tend to be apprehensive about the facts behind history. Historical fiction makes it even harder to discern the true facts of the story. Who really was Jesus? God only knows. The real question is, does it matter who the man was? Or is it more important to focus on the message he represents? Once again, the underlying story in this book is good. It is a well-thought-out combination of romance and suspense, which makes the unusual concept of Jesus and Augustus being the same person a little easier to swallow. Would I recommend this book? If you are a hardcore Bible-thumping Jesus freak then I would stay away from this book at all cost. If on the other hand you like history, romance, suspense, and are open-minded enough to take this book at its face value—that this is a work of fiction based on some historical information where Jesus and Augustus have a lot in common—then I would recommend you take a look.
My thoughts on this book are mixed. As a general rule, I tend to be apprehensive about the facts behind history. Historical fiction makes it even harder to discern the true facts of the story. Who really was Jesus? God only knows. The real question is, does it matter who the man was? Or is it more important to focus on the message he represents? Once again, the underlying story in this book is good. It is a well-thought-out combination of romance and suspense, which makes the unusual concept of Jesus and Augustus being the same person a little easier to swallow. Would I recommend this book? If you are a hardcore Bible-thumping Jesus freak then I would stay away from this book at all cost. If on the other hand you like history, romance, suspense, and are open-minded enough to take this book at its face value—that this is a work of fiction based on some historical information where Jesus and Augustus have a lot in common—then I would recommend you take a look.
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