Beloved Testament
by E.J. DiStefano,
First Books Library, 238 pages,

I was really excited when I first got the assignment to review Beloved Testament, because I thought it was the published edition of something I'd read a passage from in The White Crane Journal. That Beloved Testament is similar, but it wasn't what I was expecting, doesn't mean I was disappointed. Far from it,

Based on the Gospel of Jesus' most beloved disciple, John, the book is divided into two sections. In the first, "Diary of the Disciple," DiStefano takes us through the 31st and 32nd years of the King, recounting portions of John's own life, while relaying his experiences with Jesus, seen from the points of view of John and, occasionally, the other apostles. Introducing each chapter with scriptures, we learn that John's birth name is David, that by profession, he's a fisherman from Capernaum, and that he encounters Jesus by chance, only to be mysteriously drawn to him.

After he witnesses miracles, first at Cana, later, when Jesus saves a boy from death, and after Lazarus is raised from the dead, David/John becomes certain of his spiritual path. However, it's not until Mary Magdalene is forgiven after she washes Jesus' feet, and after Jesus stops the crowd from stoning a sinful woman that David notifies his family that he's leaving his responsibilities behind, including his engagement to Sarah, and following Jesus.

DiStefano ends the first section of his book with events at Last Supper and in the garden of Gethsemane. The second section, "The Carpenter's Serenade," evokes Jesus' emotional state from that night in the garden through his death on the cross. The conclusion is a short epilogue between John and Simon Peter.

Beloved Testament is a handsome volume, using large print that fills the pages with the wisdom in DiStefano's writing. The authors' ability to portray the emotions of his leading characters is especially noteworthy. He has a remarkable sense of emotion, especially as he contrasts the murder of John the Baptist with Sermon on the Mount. DiStefano creates, in a surprisingly fresh style, Jesus, the human being. Here's a man with strong feelings, who's not ashamed to cry. He's also conflicted by the rising crisis around him. The realism is especially notable. I certainly appreciated this, because, when my partner and I visited the Memorial in Oklahoma City this summer, for me, the most compelling part was the statue, "Jesus Wept," across from the 9:03 arch. It tied all the realities of this tragedy together for me.