The Ephesus Fragment by Gary E. Parker

a review

This is a good novel. It deals with archaeology, which I find very interesting, especially when it deals with biblical archaeology. The story begins in Ephesus, Turkey. Dr. Hugh McAuley is and archaeologist, but not a well-known one. He works for a well-known archaeologist who is more interested in seeing the camera than seeing artifacts. One day, Hugh finds a place in his dig that seems to house something. It’s hollow. When he finally is able to open the area up, he finds something he cannot believe. It is an ancient jar in which there is a document written in Greek. The scroll contains some fantastic words:

In the last days of this temporal life, I John, a follower of the Lord Jesus and witness to many signs and wonders that He did do now undertake to write an accounting of the life of Jesus, as told to me through the words of Mary, mother of our Lord, who lived in my house as the Lord commanded before His death and resurrection.

Could this be real? If so, it would do wonders for the world of archaeology. Hugh tried to keep it hidden, but his boss found out about it. Yet before she could investigate it, the document was stolen. And so the mystery begins: who stole it, and why? Eventually, we meet Valerie Miller, who works for the U.S. ambassador to the Vatican. She meets Father Michael Del Rio, who is a representative of Cardinal Severiano Roca of the Vatican (who also happens to be his relative). Together, they forge a friendship as they seek to find out about the scroll and where it is.

The story is well written and fast paced. Very enjoyable. There is murder and mayhem along the way. The ending leaves a bit of mystery about Valerie and Michael and the possibility of a romance. A Baptist girl and a priest? Stranger things have happened!

The only part about the book that I was disappointed in was the fact that I believed it was soft on Roman Catholicism. The world’s second largest religion has many similarities to biblical Christianity, but there are also fundamental differences too. The Mass is a new sacrifice of Jesus, something the New Testament says is patently wrong (Hebrews 10:12). In all, though, it is a good read. Perhaps Mr. Parker will write a sequel to reveal what happens with Valerie and Michael.