2023-05-07 11:02:04
The Bastard of Nazareth
de Metin Arditi
Grasset, 198 p., 19 €
Don’t be fooled by the catchy title. Accept the iconoclastic narrative of a novelist. Read Metin Arditi, former columnist of The cross, for what he tries: to describe the man Jesus without seeking to know Christ.
The author presents us with a political agitator more than a spiritual guide, while relying on the story of the Gospels and the latest discoveries of exegetes. In broad strokes, Metin Arditi retraces the existence of this man named Jesus, who happens to be born of Mary and raised by Joseph, and of an unknown father…
“There is something other than the law”
No miracles except healing power, no prayer to God the Father. It is the original wound—being a bastard—that fuels this anger of a Nazarene who stands up against authority: “There is something other than the Law, he says to him. The need to be charitable, nestled in the hearts of men, and which goes beyond them. »
Faced with the agitator John the Baptist, Jesus stands out: “Was it necessary to brandish the threat of the end of the world and to stir up fears to convince these destitute people to ask for baptism? » Still, the novelist, of course, allows himself many liberties. We are not too surprised that Mary of Magdala falls into the arms of Jesus, or that Judas is the spearhead of the revolt: “Create your own sect. You will be the Lord. You will impose your interpretation of the Laws. Many of us will join you. »
There are also, by the talent of the novelist, beautiful scenes taken from the Gospels such as the evocation of the Beatitudes, in front of the assembled crowd: “What to tell them? How to give birth to a beginning of hope? Taken aback, I had a remark of rare naivety: “Blessed are those who mourn, they will be consoled”. » Something to feed reflection more than faith: a novel is not gospel…
#life #jesus #angry #man