Why did you write
this book?
Frank: Back in
2007, I got an idea to create a new genre of Christian literature. I call that
genre "biblical narrative."
The new genre would
contain autobiographical fiction closely based on the Scriptural narratives and
faithful to first-century history. It would also contain a nonfiction section
that practically applies the narratives to our lives. Finally, it would include
a discussion guide so that readers could better digest and apply the content.
God's Favorite Place on Earth
(2013) was my first book in this genre. In it, Lazarus tells the story of when
Jesus came to His hometown Bethany and all the amazing things that took place
there.
The Day I Met Jesus (2015) is the second
book in this genre. I wanted it to tell the story of five women whom Jesus
encountered, allowing each woman tell their own story. I also wanted to draw
out practical lessons and critical insights from each narrative.
Because I'm not
a woman, I couldn't do justice to the stories on my own, so I asked the top female
Christian fiction writer of our time -- Mary DeMuth -- to coauthor it with me.
Mary: I wrote
it because I love stories, and I felt that some of these encounters with Jesus
didn't get the air time they deserved. By doing careful research and weaving
more of a story arc into the five women's encounter, I hope to show people that
the "characters" of the New Testament are actual, breathing people
with stress and dysfunction and hopes just like us. Frank pioneered the idea of
this book, so all credit goes to him for imagining it. I'm grateful he asked me
to be a part.
Tell us the story
of how you two came to coauthor it.
Mary: Frank
wrote God's Greatest Place on Earth
and had long wanted to do something similar with five women of the New Testament.
He approached me about writing the fiction side of The Day I Met Jesus after he found out I wrote fiction as well as
nonfiction.
Frank: When I
began to think about a female coauthor for the project, I wanted it to be someone
who (1) writes fiction (2) is a remarkable writer, and (3) believes in the
classic tenets of the Christian faith (Jesus is divine and human, He rose again
from the dead, Jesus is Lord and Savior of the world, etc.)
As I
investigated authors who fit the bill, I quickly thought of folks like Francine
Rivers and Karen Kingsbury. But then I discovered that Mary DeMuth wrote
fiction. I had known that she was a non-fiction writer, but had no idea that she
could "switch hit."
I also
discovered that she was an outstanding writer of fiction as she was of nonfiction.
(I regard Mary to be the Mickey Mantle of Christian literature -- she has
enormous power from both sides!) So Mary ended up being the only name on my
"short list."
You feature five
women from the Gospels. Why pick women in particular as your subjects?
Frank: Some of the most
gripping, instructive, inspiring stories in the Gospels involve women. The
longest recorded conversation that Jesus ever had was with a woman. And some of
the most amazing things He said and did related to women. So I thought that a
book in which some of these women told their own stories about Jesus would not
only bring the Gospels to life in our minds, but it would also bring Jesus
alive in our hearts.
Mary: Women had significant,
personal encounters with Jesus, a fact that we sometimes miss, particularly
since so many stories revolve around the 12 disciples (who were men). I love
that we're elevating these stories, helping people reimagine just how radical
it was that Jesus so beautifully interacted with these women.
Which one is your
favorite and why?
Mary: For me,
it's hard to say. I love them all in different ways. This week, I'll say it's
Mary of Bethany. She didn't have a blatant "need" for Jesus. She was
just downright faithful and often misunderstood. I think a lot of people can
relate to that.
Frank: Mary of Bethany is my all-time favorite disciple of Jesus.
This came home to me when I wrote God's
Favorite Place on Earth. (Mary was the sister of Lazarus, so she gets ample
airtime in that book.)
I love Mary because she knew Jesus better than most, anticipating
His reactions and even His impending death. She also paid the price for loving
Him, for she was falsely accused by both her sister and the other disciples (on
two different occasions), mostly out of jealousy. In both situations, Mary
embraced the spirit of the Lamb, refusing to defending herself. But Jesus
Himself rose to her defense on both occasions. He also gave her an enduring
honor that He gave no one else.
Why would someone
want to read the book?
Frank: If
someone wants a good story to get tied up into . . . or if they want to see the
Bible come to life in a compelling way . . . or if they want to experience
Jesus Christ anew and afresh . . . or if they want to identify with people who
were far worse off than they are, and see what Jesus did for them . . . or if
they want to be given hope and encouragement in their situation . . . or if
they are lacking love for the Lord and want that love to be rekindled . . . or
if they want new motivation and fresh inspiration to follow Jesus more closely,
they'll want to read The Day I Met Jesus.
Mary: Someone
would want to read it because it's truly unique. It's biblical narrative, but
in short story form, but it doesn't end there. After you've been absorbed into
a page-turning story, Frank exegetes the wisdom from each encounter and helps
you apply it to your life.
Tell
us about the course that supplements the book.
Frank:
The Day I Met Jesus Master Course
is designed for those who wish to delve deeper into the themes set forth in the
book. It includes a workbook and 20 audio messages delivered by Mary and I. In
addition, it includes 8 bonus eBooks from Mary and I. It also includes a closed
forum where people can access us both directly for Q&A and dialogue. People
can check it out at
http://www.thedayimetjesus.com/course
Tell us what readers get if they purchase it from March 3rd
to March 17th from Parable.com.
Frank: They'll get these 7 exclusive bonuses.
1. An exclusive audio interview
where Mary and I give a behind-the-scenes look at all the facets of
the book. The interview covers where the idea of the book came from, why we
wrote the book, what it was like collaborating, the hardest part about writing
it, and much more.
2. Mary's Book Beautiful Battle
in Kindle & Nook.
3. My Book, Rethinking Spiritual
Growth in PDF, Kindle, and Nook.
4. A never-before-released audio
conference message entitled "A Woman Inside of a Man."
5. Mary's Book What To Do After
People Poop on You in PDF.
6. A never-before-released audio
conference message entitled "He's Not Ashamed to Call Them Brothers and
Sisters."
7. A 15% discount off The Day I Met
Jesus Master Course.