Joseph C. Nyce

This literary work delves into the complexities of religions and their connection to violence, offering a fresh perspective on the age-old search for righteousness.​

 

"Mary's Lament" explores the three monotheistic religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, acknowledging their shared goal of explaining the relationship between humanity and its Creator. These religions all describe God as a God of Love, yet history has revealed a troubling truth: they have also been entangled in acts violence, both as supporters and instigators. This connection between religion and violence leaves us uneasy, questioning the true nature of our search for goodness.

 

​​In his quest to unravel this conundrum, Joseph Nyce turns his attention to a lesser-known dispute among the early followers of Jesus, hinted at in the Book of Acts and the letters of the Apostle and Paul. This dispute, never fully resolved, centers around a profound distinction between the theologies of Jesus and Paul. While Paul emphasizes God's plan for salvation, Jesus speaks of the presence of God's Kingdom among us. Could this division shed light on the connection between religion and violence.

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​"Mary's Lament" presents a captivation narrative set in the incubation period of Christianity. It suggests that Jesus' teachings have the power to transcend the divisions between Jew and Christian, offering an alternative path that avoids the pitfalls of religious beliefs leading to violence. This novel is a testament to the firm belief that our vision of the Creator does not have to separate us from those that we are called to love