Philochristus: Memoirs of a Disciple of the Lord by Edwin Abbott Abbott

(2 User reviews)   1955
By Abil Kile Posted on Nov 15, 2025
In Category - History
Abbott, Edwin Abbott, 1838-1926 Abbott, Edwin Abbott, 1838-1926
English
Ever wondered what it was like to be there? Not just hearing the parables, but living through the confusion, the hope, and the crushing reality of first-century Judea? 'Philochristus' is a book that tries to answer that. It's a fictional memoir from a disciple who was there, following Jesus from the first whispers of a miracle-worker to the world-shaking events after the crucifixion. The central mystery isn't about what Jesus did, but how an ordinary person could possibly make sense of it all as it was happening. It's a ground-level view of history's most famous story.
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_All the more need seemeth thereof because the Lord delayeth his coming. For now these ten years Jerusalem hath been trodden down of the Gentiles, and the words of the Lord concerning the destruction of the Holy City have been fulfilled; and yet he cometh not. Yea, and sometimes my mind presageth that his coming __may be yet longer delayed, even till all they that knew him in the flesh have fallen asleep._ _For this cause I was long ago moved, even from the second or third year after the destruction of the Holy City, to leave some record behind me to testify of the Lord. But when I adventured to write, behold, it was an hard matter and well‐nigh impossible, to set forth such an image of the Lord Jesus as should be at once according to the truth, and yet not altogether too bright for mortal eye to look upon and love. Therefore at the last, when I perceived that it was not given unto me to portray any character of the Lord as he was in himself, I determined rather to set forth an history of mine own life; wherein, as in a mirror, might perchance be discerned some lineaments of the countenance of Christ, seen as by reflexion, in the life of one that loved him._ THE TABLE _Chapter_ 1 _Of my childhood in Galilee; and how I gave myself wholly to the study of the Law._ 2 _Of my doubts concerning the Law; and of the Patriots or Galileans; and of the expectation concerning John the son of Zachariah._ 3 _Concerning the casting out of unclean Spirits; and of the nature of the Redemption of Israel; and how I first saw Jesus of Nazareth._ 4 _Of the doctrine of John the Prophet, how it suited with the people of the land; and how I was baptized of the Prophet._ 5 _Of the Greek philosophers in Alexandria; and how I had discourse with Philo the Alexandrine._ 6 _How I found not salvation in the worship of the Temple; nor in the teachers of Galilee; nor in the Essenes; and how I first spake with Jesus of Nazareth._ 7 _Of the Good News; and concerning the Kingdom of God; and how we desired of Jesus new laws._ 8 _Of the New Law._ 9 _How Quartus interpreted the New Law._ 10 _How some desired Jesus to mix the New Law with the Old Law; and concerning the legion of swine; and how Jesus began to teach in parables._ 11 _Concerning the new power of the Forgiveness of Sins._ 12 _How the Forgiveness of Sins is the Key that openeth the New Kingdom; and how the Old Law and the New Law must not be mixed._ 13 _Of the plotting of the Pharisees against Jesus, how they said he had a devil; and concerning the Holy Spirit._ 14 _How John the Prophet doubted concerning Jesus; and concerning them that are __“__born of women;__”__ and of the beheading of John the Prophet._ 15 _How Jesus fled from Capernaum, and the Galileans at first fell away from him; and concerning the levy in Galilee; and of the visit of Jesus to Nazareth._ 16 _How, after the death of John the Prophet, Jesus foresaw that he also must be slain; and of the Bread of Life, and the feeding of the five thousand; and concerning the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees._ 17 _How Xanthias the Alexandrine said that the philosophy of Jesus aimed at the taking in of the Gentiles into the Kingdom, and at the enfranchisement of slaves; and how...

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If you think you know the story of Jesus, this book asks you to forget the ending. 'Philochristus' is written as the rediscovered memoir of a fictional Greek disciple named Philochristus. We follow him from his first skeptical curiosity about a Galilean preacher, through his growing belief, to the traumatic days of the crucifixion and the bewildering, hopeful period that followed.

The Story

The book isn't a straight retelling of the Gospels. Instead, it's one man's personal diary of faith. Philochristus grapples with political tensions under Roman rule, debates with other followers about what Jesus truly meant, and describes the sheer emotional whiplash of witnessing miracles one day and facing terror the next. The plot is the journey of his understanding, which is messy, uncertain, and deeply human.

Why You Should Read It

What struck me most was the immediacy. Abbott removes 2,000 years of stained-glass imagery and drops you into the dusty, complicated reality of the time. Jesus isn't presented as a simple icon, but as a compelling and challenging figure seen through the eyes of a friend who is constantly trying to catch up. The book’s power is in its questions, not its answers. It makes the familiar story feel strange and new again.

Final Verdict

Perfect for readers of thoughtful historical fiction who don't need easy resolutions. If you enjoy books that explore the 'why' and 'how' of belief, or if you've ever wanted to scrub away the centuries and experience a pivotal historical moment as a person living through it, this unique novel is a quiet, rewarding challenge. It’s less about doctrine and more about the human heart in a time of revolution.



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Kevin Johnson
1 year ago

Very interesting perspective.

Jackson Lee
1 year ago

I had low expectations initially, however the author's voice is distinct and makes complex topics easy to digest. I would gladly recommend this title.

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