Please Join Me on Zoom for Left Coast Writers with Bernard F. Clark
Monday, December 16th — 6PM
LCW is Zooming an “Author Conversation” with poet and “historical fiction” author Bernard F. Clark: Historical Fiction of Biblical Proportions. We’ll be discussing the writing of historical fiction: history, popularity, technique and changing expectations as evidenced in Bernie’s latest book: The Agnostic Gospels as well as other current historical fiction.
Is the Bible historical fiction?
Well, that’s a good question. It is certainly a precursor of the most successful collection of storytelling ever, anywhere in the world. It’s had a lot of editors in a lot of different languages, and many hands have shaped its various versions and antecedents. It has been a cause of great strife over the millennia, and it’s still popular enough to be branded, to shape beliefs, to win elections … in any of its many avatars.
So for this discussion Left Coast Writers will be taking a look at this form, a book and historical fiction of biblical proportions.
Who was Jesus of Nazareth? Man or God? Aside from the New Testament and other gnostic writings, there is scant historical evidence that he lived. The Roman historian, Flavius Josephus, is the most reliable source, and even the provenance of his writings is in question. Yet the New Testament Gospels are compelling.
Could a simple man have gathered such a following, fulfilled all the ancient prophecies and performed astounding miracles? Or was he, indeed, The Messiah, The Son of God? A Christian believer will say yes. An atheist will say no. The agnostic will say it is possible and not presume to know.
The Bible, confoundedly, overlooks at least eighteen years of the life of The Messiah, from his preaching to the priests in The Temple at age twelve, to the start of his ministry, around 30AD. What happened in those ‘missing years’?
Based on Biblical writings, apocrypha, folk lore and historical facts, The Agnostic Gospels trilogy recounts a possible course of events.
The first volume, Arimathea, tells how Yeshua’s (Jesus’) Great Uncle, Joseph of Arimathea, is the major mentor and architect of his early life. The story also explores the importance of Mary Magdalene and her relationship with Yeshua. Why was she portrayed in the gospels as being so troubled? Why did Yeshua tell her she was the most favoured of his disciples?
The second volume, Magdalene (in progress), expands upon Mary Magdalene’s story and sows the seeds for historically relevant events of the first century AD.
The third volume, Yeshua, explores the apocryphal stories of Jesus (Yeshua) in the East and his connection with Buddhism, before recounting the canonical gospels of the New Testament, set in the new context of his personal journey and what we have learned about his intended mission to cheat death and reveal the glory of God to all.
By profession, Bernard F. Clark (Bernie) is a systems consultant specializing in the design and coaching of software development methods. By Spirit, he has always been a traveler, photographer, artist, storyteller and poet.
Born in 1958 in Hertfordshire, England, it wasn’t until he moved to America in 1983 that he found his creative voice. During his ‘working years’, he hosted poetry open mics at Java Beach and Sacred Grounds in San Francisco and published three poetry books: Caffe Latte, Spritzers, and GooGooG’Joob, the latter also comprising a collection of short stories. He was also inspired to create a children’s book, David Oodle’s Doodle (illustrated by K. Plottner) that poetically relates the adventure of a boy who draws fantastic doodles with his magical pen and plenty of Zen.
Since retirement, Bernie has been able to spend more time focusing on one of the great mysteries that confounded him and his childhood friend, Cliff, when they were choirboys; did Jesus really exist? This exploration led him to the revelation that The Bible fails to account for at least eighteen years of Jesus’ life. This was too much of a challenge to not resolve and most of his time is now spent researching and weaving a tale of facts (such as they are known), folklore, legends and fiction that plausibly accounts for who Jesus was and how he became The Messiah.
Now residing in southern Nevada, Bernie and his partner enjoy international travel and exploring the national parks and awe-inspiring landscapes of the western USA in their trusty RV.
Reviews
From GooGooG’Joob:
‘Some people have a gift for joy that is contagious. They infect the rest of us on contact. Bernard F. Clark (I think I’m one of the few who know what the ‘F’ really stands for) is a gift to those who have been privileged to enjoy his friendship. His often brilliant, mostly joyful, frequently hilarious literary creations speak for themselves. Bernie is a natural poet and a spontaneous lover of life. His work is a reflection of his spirit overflowing with love, art and wonder.’
- M. Clarke