The historical Jesus is quite elusive. His contemporaries seem to have been unaware of his existence. Josephus Flavius makes a brief reference to him, but most scholars agree that the reference was added years later. Therefore we are left with the conflicting Gospel accounts (written many years after his death) as to his existence and teachings.
Given that derth of historical information, there are many other theories as to the origins of Christianity, and one of those is that it sprang from the Caesar Augustus cult which tried to incorporate beliefs and ideas from throughout the Roman Empire. Although some historical facts; the use of the term, Pontifex Maximus, to refer to the Pope; and the three-tiered papal crown fit into that theory, I find Dr. Atchity's premise a bit of a stretch.
On the other hand, The Messiah Matrix, is an entertaining novel and not an historical treatise.
A renowned Jesuit scholar is murdered on the streets of Rome, and his protege, Father Ryan, seeks to understand the motive since the killer told him he was hired by a monsignor. He soon finds himself involved in a conflict between the Jesuits and the Roman Curia of a conservative Pope.
In the course of of his investigation Father Ryan crosses paths with a famous iconograher and archaeologist, Emily, who is pursuing a rare Roman coin that was stolen from her and apparently is in the hands of people who want to keep the coin hidden from the world. Father Ryan and Emily soon join forces since it appears their existence is being threatened by the same interests.
In the course of telling a good story, Dr. Atchity provides the reader with considerable history and research -- interesting in itself. In addition, he surprisingly predicts the resignation of a conservative Pope who is replaced by a Jesuit Pope.
Christian readers who are uncomfortable with questions about the origins of Christianity may be reluctant to deal with this novel, but they will be missing out on an engaging mystery.
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