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Question: Fictionalized version of the Bible!?
For a while I've had this idea rolling around in my head to write a fictionalized(or novelized) version of the New Testament!. I want to make it seem more real, to make the story appeal to more than bible believers!. I was thinking it would be interesting to do it through the viewpoint of someone who travelled with them; a teenage or pre-teen boy!. He would be a helper to one or more of the disciples or something of that sort!.!.!.I'm not sure yet!.
What I want to know is, has anyone heard of a novelized/fictionalized version of the new testament before!? And do you think my ideas sound interesting!?Www@QuestionHome@Com
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
I've had a similar idea with the Ragnarok in Norse mythology, but realized that although the story pleases me, many others (who know the actual story quite well) can really be irritated!. And some could just downright be mean!. I'm afraid you might not be entirely welcomed with the idea!. Although I do applaud you for taking an interest in writing!.
What i did instead was remove the whole Ragnarok idea and am writing it as a fictional story with a Norse theme, but not based on actual norse events!. Maybe you can do the same!?
Good luck with your future in writing!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
It's really a bad idea!.
There's plenty of movies that have filled in the gaps and made a 2 1/2 hour movie out of a handful of Bible verses!.
But to make it fictionalized and add new sub-plots in, - and not detract from truth of the Bible, and to NOT offend believers, - then it's a tough row-to-hoe!.
Just look up "the last temptation of Christ" by Universal pictures!. They took some liberties that I haven't forgotten nor forgiven!.
Mel Gibson took the approach with "The Passion" to make it realistic, - and even though the plot was known, - just like for Titanic, - folks came out to see it!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
Well, I guess you've heard of
Ben Hur
The Greatest Story Ever Told
any of several other New Testament-based movies
These all qualify as fictionalized accounts, as clearly none of them feel constrained to agree with the biblical account (except, perhaps, Mel Gibson's movie)!.
You might want to consider making your character the "young man" who escaped the garden at the end of Mark!. Tradition claims that this person is Mark himself (the author), or else John Mark mentioned later as a companion of Paul!.
My only other recommendation is that you add freely to scripture, but **change** nothing!. This is my biggest complaint with the movies - that so much is added is reasonable, but that so much is changed is not!.
JimWww@QuestionHome@Com
I actually had an idea similar to this, but it followed only Jesus and the Gospels!. And it incorporated all 4 Gospels into one long story (probably a trilogy)!.
From what I have seen, no one has ever done this before!. The only problem I see with such an idea is the backlash you might receive for your interpretation!. Granted I understand your idea and I don't see a problem with it, there are some fundamentalist who might be offended by some emotions and thoughts you incorporate through the boy!.
It is interesting, but I would suggest a lot of research!. Good luck!Www@QuestionHome@Com
I think it's a great idea! If you could infuse the New Testament with more life, round out the characters and bring in some of their backgrounds and personal stories, it could be fascinating!. Of course, there would be a lot of research involved concerning the time period, social customs, etc!., but if you're not turned off by hard work, go at it! I personally have thought of doing some of the Old Testament that way, I certainly like to read things in that genre!. Good luck with whatever you decide!Www@QuestionHome@Com
Most writers have respect for the Bible, not only its origins, but the fact that it is the best selling book of all time!. Not many willing to go up against those kinds of numbers!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
Some times what we choose to disclose is close to what really happened!. You maybe surprised and even pleased to know that what you would like to depict is or could be based on a true event!. This can be found at http://www!.urantia!.org Look in Book IV The Life and Teachings of Jesus!.
8!. PREVIOUS WRITTEN RECORDS
P!.1341 - ยง4 1!. The Gospel by Mark!. John Mark wrote the earliest (excepting the notes of Andrew), briefest, and most simple record of Jesus' life!. He presented the Master as a minister, as man among men!. Although Mark was a lad lingering about many of the scenes which he depicts, his record is in reality the Gospel according to Simon Peter!. He was early associated with Peter; later with Paul!. Mark wrote this record at the instigation of Peter and on the earnest petition of the church at Rome!. Knowing how consistently the Master refused to write out his teachings when on earth and in the flesh, Mark, like the apostles and other leading disciples, was hesitant to put them in writing!. But Peter felt the church at Rome required the assistance of such a written narrative, and Mark consented to undertake its preparation!. He made many notes before Peter died in A!.D!. 67, and in accordance with the outline approved by Peter and for the church at Rome, he began his writing soon after Peter's death!. The Gospel was completed near the end of A!.D!. 68!. Mark wrote entirely from his own memory and Peter's memory!. The record has since been considerably changed, numerous passages having been taken out and some later matter added at the end to replace the latter one fifth of the original Gospel, which was lost from the first manuscript before it was ever copied!. This record by Mark, in conjunction with Andrew's and Matthew's notes, was the written basis of all subsequent Gospel narratives which sought to portray the life and teachings of Jesus!.
http://www!.urantia!.org/papers/paper121!.h!.!.!.
In your search for information about this young man you will find he is mentioned 47 times in the book!. It was in the Mark home where Jesus and His Desiples met when in Jerusalem and where The Last Supper took place!. This is of course not comon knowledge so as a fiction story even though true it would be seen as believable!.!.Www@QuestionHome@Com