The Lazarus Effect

Archaeologist Art West makes the discovery of a lifetime in Jerusalem finding the tombstone of Lazarus, which indicates that Jesus raised him from the dead. But before he can make public his amazing discovery, the stone is stolen, sold to the British Library, and West is implicated in an antiquities fraud that will lead to a trial. West’s Jewish and Muslim friends in Jerusalem rally to support West’s innocence and to help find the thief who stole the stone, but then West is shot and in critical condition in a Jerusalem hospital. Can the truth be discovered in time, and West’s life be saved? And what was on that Aramaic scroll that was found in Lazarus’s coffin? In this fast-paced thriller, Ben Witherington, himself a NT scholar with a degree in English literature, together with his wife, Ann, introduces us to the life of an archaeologist and NT scholar and his trials and tribulations when a big find comes to light. Set in the always volatile city of Jerusalem, the Witheringtons reveal the fascinating hidden dimensions of multi-religious life in that Holy Place, and show how even today Christians, Jews, and Muslims can work together so the truth may come to light, and all may experience 'the Lazarus Effect'-new life from the dead.There’s no thriller quite like an archaeological thriller, and when we find ourselves in a biblical mystery, the suspense and the drama are especially delicious. Set against the intense, exotic, and vivid backdrop of modern Israel, yet delving into the deepest mysteries of the time of Christ, The Lazarus Effect won’t fail to entertain and inform. Highly recommended.-Anne Rice, NY Times best-selling author of The Vampire Chronicles and Christ the Lord.'Ben Witherington, the accomplished and acclaimed biblical scholar, offers a fast-paced, entertaining archaeological thriller with occasional winks to the biblical studies guild, the popularization of biblical studies in magazines and television shows, and recent controversies over ancient artifacts. Even better, The Lazarus Effect neatly portrays both the necessity of interfaith friendship and the dangers of defensive fundamentalism.' -Amy-Jill Levine, E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Professor of New Testament Studies, Vanderbilt Divinity School, Graduate Department of Religion and College of Arts and ScienceThe Lazarus Effect has it all-the discovery of an explosive archaeological find that stands to revolutionize our understanding of early Christianity, religious passions in the Holy Land, human longing and bravery and treachery. What sets it apart from other thrillers of its type is the deep biblical and archaeological knowledge the Witheringtons bring to their tale.-Steven Feldman, Web Editor, Biblical Archaeology Review'The Lazarus Effect is a rare, gripping, fast-paced, ntelligent thriller that can keep you entertained, and actually change your worldview.  It’s a wild ride through a tumultuous part of the world where you’ll discover surprises that can make you think more deeply about some of the most important things in your life.  Once you start to read it, you won’t be able to put it down!'-Tom Morris, Author of The Art of Achievement and If Harry Potter Ran General Electric andThe Logic of God IncarnateBen Witherington III is Amos Professor of NT for Doctoral Studies at Asbury Theological Seminary and doctoral faculty at St. Andrews University, and the author of over thirty-five books, including New York Times Best Seller The Brother of Jesus. Ann Witherington is Professor of Biology and Environmental Sciences at Asbury College. Ben and Ann have been married for over thirty years and have two adult children, Christy and David.