My Library

And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen. John 21:25

And Christopher Moore's Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal gives us a humorous look at what we might have learned if at least one of those books had actually been written. Levi who was called Biff reveals many great truths about his childhood pal Josh, such as:

• What does the 'H' in 'Jesus H. Christ' stand for?
• Was Jesus really married to Mary Magdalene?
• Where did the Savior of All Mankind spend the 18 years between his visit to the Temple and his baptism by John the Baptist?

Or maybe he doesn't, but Moore and his irreverent character the eponymous Biff sure have a lot of fun speculating. Moore's take on the Biblical characters is colorful, funny and oddly more believable than the typical theologian's fare. Peter may have been the first Pope, but he was first a fisherman and Moore doesn't forget it, which makes for a book every bit as funny as Lust Lizard and Practical Demonkeeping.

The sensitive religious types should probably steer clear of this book (and anything else requiring a sense of humor including this website), but those who enjoyed Monty Python's Life of Brian will find themselves in familiar territory with a slightly different view. For anyone still thinking that even reading this review might be the first step on the road to Hell, consider this from Moore's afterword:

I like to think that while he carried out his sacred mission, Jesus of Nazareth might have enjoyed a sense of irony and the company of a wisecracking buddy. This story is not and never was meant to challenge anyone's faith; however, if one's faith can be shaken by stories in a humorous novel, one may have a bit more praying to do.

Amen.

Read this book and anything else by this author. You can't go wrong.