|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
The
Silver Chalice
By
Thomas Costain, Doubleday & Company, Inc., 1952, 533 pages Some
books, filled with courage and faith, leave you feeling inspired. You even have
trouble putting it down until you have read the entire book.
The Silver Chalice is such a
Christian epic. Although first published in 1952 and on the bestseller list way
back in 1953, its message relates to today. (That’s why Buccaneer Books, Inc.
published a new edition in 1998.) A
great historical novel, The Silver Chalice
is set in the days of early Christianity.
Basil is a Greek slave, but a talented sculptor. His freedom is obtained
by Luke and paid for by Joseph of Arimathaea, so Basil can design and create a
decorative holder (chalice) for the cup from which Jesus and His disciples drank
from at The Last Supper. The chalice is to include the figures of Jesus and His
disciples (excluding Judas), as well as Paul. To be able to sculpt their
likenesses, Basil must meet the disciples and Paul, all of whom are portrayed as
believable humans (albeit godly ones) rather than the elevated heroes we often
make of them. His
friendship with these early believers and his marriage to the granddaughter of
Joseph of Arimathaea, introduces Basil to a completely new concept of God. His travels throughout Rome, to Antioch, and to Jerusalem are
enlightening to the modern reader, as Costain makes the New Testament come alive
with accurate details of daily life. The well-developed characters and
intriguing plot (which includes a little romance and lots of adventure) combine
into a wonderful story that portrays the excitement of the early Christians, as
well as giving a picture of their persecution as they proclaimed Jesus to be the
Christ. Basil
realizes he must decide whether Jesus is really God, as his friends say He is.
In the middle of persecution from the zealots and Nero, Basil must make this
decision, then contemplate what his faith must mean for both his career and his
life. Will he ever be able to say,
as Peter does, “Let us turn our faces ahead with the belief that out of our
sufferings will come a spreading of the gospel over all the world”? 1 The Silver Chalice is interesting reading just for its historical content.
But more than that, it gives insight into the lives of the early
Christians, many of whom became martyrs for their belief in Jesus. It makes me
wonder¾do
I have as deep a love for Christ as these first Christians had? Do I have enough
courage to do as Basil remembers Cephas saying, “In the stress of such a
moment [of persecution] your eyes will be opened.
The tinder in your heart will take fire…You will cry out what you
believe and you will want everyone to hear!” 2 Costain’s
portrayal of the steadfastness, faithfulness, devotion and courage of these
early Christians who gave so much makes me hope I would¾yet
I can’t help but wonder. This book has made me examine my commitment to the
Christ whom these Christians first proclaimed to be the Saviour of the world. ninetyandnine.com ã 2001, Shirley
McDonald --------
Shirley McDonald is a high school librarian and attends First United Pentecostal Church
in Denham Springs, Louisiana. Since
she loves her “creature comforts,” she is thankful to live in a country that
allows her to be a Christian without persecution. (1)
Page 470. (2) Page 448. |
|
|
