It’s the Greek for messiah, a Hebrew word meaning anointed. Also, here Jesus is called Joshua or Josh, because according to Biff “Jesus is the Greek translation of the Hebrew Yeshua, which is Joshua. So Biff is raised from the dead and gets deposited in a hotel room with the Angel Raziel to write down the story of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection as he remembers it. And for one reason or another “The Son” decided that it was time for Biff to tell his story.
The premise of this book is that Biff, whose real name is Levi bar Alphaeus, was Jesus’ best friend and constant companion during the period of Jesus’ life that doesn’t get a lot of page space in the gospels according to Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. So in honor of Lent, I picked Lamb: The Gospel according to Biff, Christ’s Childhood Pal. And when I got to the shelf with the M’s, I said to myself, “Eureka! Christopher Moore! That’s the ticket!” But I had to choose a book with some historical merit it couldn’t just be any old Christopher Moore book. So I went into the room that contains my many piles of books, and I stared. And most importantly, something written during my lifetime. He’s a retired elementary school teacher.After many weeks of reading books by esteemed authors, many long dead, about subjects as diverse and often dismal (but beautifully written) as the collapse of families and marriages, Norweigan ladies who like to play with guns, and swamp-bound, incestuous Colombians, I needed to read something fun. In a similar way, it concludes with an emphasis on redemption and hope.ĭavid Bross lives in Williamsport. But, just like the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, the Crucifixion isn’t the end of Moore’s novel. Overcome with anger and despair after witnessing Joshua's crucifixion, Biff kills Judas. And, Biff's love for his friend prevents him from understanding Joshua's decision to forgive Judas. As you can imagine, Biff is furious with Judas for betraying Joshua.
#BIFF JESUS FAV TRIAL#
When Joshua is arrested and put on trial during Passover, Maggie and Biff try desperately to prevent his death. So, Joshua runs into the cave and with one look at Lazarus he quickly agrees that Lazarus could indeed use some "freshening up.”
For example, when Joshua raises Lazarus from the dead, Lazarus, while very grateful to be alive again, doesn't feel he is presentable enough to come out of the cave and says, "I'm all icky." Frustrated, Joshua tells Lazarus to get his “leprous” butt out of the cave. At this point, "Lamb" follows the events laid out in the synoptic gospels-but with a twist. Upon their return, Joshua fulfills his destiny as the Son of God. It was interesting enough, but I was glad when Joshua and Biff returned to Nazareth. Admittedly, their quest is my least favorite part of the book.
#BIFF JESUS FAV HOW TO#
Joshua and Biff’s quest, lasting about a decade, takes them to China and India where Joshua learns tricks like how to multiply food and how to become invisible. Believing that Joshua is innocent to the point of being naïve, Biff insists on going along to protect his friend. And, eventually, they get caught up in a curious love triangle, where Biff loves Maggie, Maggie loves Joshua, and Joshua is sworn to celibacy.Īs a young adult, Joshua embarks on a journey to find the three Magi who will teach him how to become the Messiah. On one occasion, they attempt to circumcise a Roman statue of Apollo. The three of them use their creativity to push back on the heavy Roman rule. As they hit their teenage years, the duo becomes a trio with the addition of Maggie who represents Mary Magdalene. They first meet at age six when Biff spots Joshua raising a lizard from the dead. Joshua and Biff grow up like most kids did in Roman-occupied Nazareth…sort of. Throughout the book, Jesus is referred to as Joshua. Louis until he provides an account of Jesus’ childhood and young adulthood. Under the close supervision of the angel Raziel, Biff is locked in a hotel room in modern-day St. In an irreverent, but sensitive way, Christopher Moore gives us his ideas about what occurred during the “lost” years of Christ's life in his novel “Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal.”Īs the title suggests, “Lamb” is told from the perspective of Jesus’ best friend, Biff, who had been brought back to life at the request of the Messiah some 2,000 years after his crucifixion.
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