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Is The Book of Longings Blasphemous?

Published in Religious Fiction Controversy 2 mins read

The Book of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd is considered blasphemous by some individuals and groups, primarily because of its central premise.

Why Some Consider It Blasphemous

The perception of blasphemy stems from the novel's imaginative portrayal of historical and biblical figures. Specifically, the book posits that Jesus was married, which departs significantly from traditional Christian theological beliefs and accepted biblical narratives. In the novel, Jesus is depicted as having a wife named Ana.

  • Fictional Marriage of Jesus: The core reason for the book being deemed blasphemous by some is its decision to imagine Jesus as a married man. This concept directly challenges long-held doctrines about Jesus's celibacy and divine nature within many Christian faiths.
  • Reimagining Sacred Figures: The novel centers on Ana, presented as the daughter of the counselor and chief scribe to the tetrarch Herod Antipas, and the stepsister of Judas. By weaving these fictional relationships and narratives around sacred figures, the book enters territory that some religious perspectives find disrespectful or offensive to their faith.

For those who hold strict interpretations of Christian scriptures and traditions, the idea of Jesus being married is seen as a direct affront to their understanding of his life and mission, thus leading them to categorize the book's content as blasphemous.