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The Constantine Codex
The Constantine Codex
The Constantine Codex
Audiobook10 hours

The Constantine Codex

Written by Paul L. Maier

Narrated by Christopher Prince

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

4/5

()

About this audiobook

For centuries, scholars have speculated about a lost book of the Bible. No one has ever found it-until now.

A few pieces of centuries-old parchment tucked inside a tattered book lead famed archaeologist Jonathan Weber and his wife Shannon to what could possibly be the greatest find in church history-a discarded biblical manuscript whose ancient pages reveal a secret that will change the way the world views Scripture.

Is it one of fifty copies commissioned by Constantine the Great and lost for centuries? Or the most sophisticated forgery of all time?

When the manuscript is stolen, Jon is swept into a deadly race to find it and prove its authenticity before it's lost forever. Everything hangs in the balance-his career, his reputation, even his life-but he's willing to risk it all in one final daring attempt to determine the truth.

“Just a few pages into it I was hooked. Maier is that rare combination of masterful storyteller and historian. A brilliant use of the power of story to excite and educate. Bravo!”
-Hank Hanegraaff, president of the Christian Research Institute and host of the Bible Answer Man broadcast

LanguageEnglish
PublisherOasis Audio
Release dateJun 1, 2011
ISBN9781608148677
The Constantine Codex

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Reviews for The Constantine Codex

Rating: 4.1395348837209305 out of 5 stars
4/5

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  • Rating: 1 out of 5 stars
    1/5
    Maier's first novel, "A Skeleton in God's Closet" was excellent. But, this one was... SLOOOOOWWWW! I couldn't get into it. Not to mention the characters seemed shallow and the plot contrived. Cool cover though.

    1 person found this helpful

  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Pretty good. It does a good job of showing how the researchers work. It felt a little condescending for Jon to explain some things to Shannon she should know as well as he did, but I know it was to have a way to explain it to the reader.In the debate the best defense of the Trinity he could come up with is he believes because it was unbelievable. The missing chapters match the orthodox teachings. Even using the cross as a symbol long before it was in actual use. The ending felt like it went too smoothing. Things worked out a little to well for me to find it believable.

    1 person found this helpful

  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    I was a bit slow and had some moments all in all an okay listen.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    On a archaeological dig Shannon is disappointed at what she has unearthed, hoping to have found something of more value she decides to visit an old church built on ancient grounds. There in the dusty caverns of the library she comes across a codex (or letters) tucked into a book. Not knowing exactly what she has stumbled upon she asks to take the manuscript home with her for her husband Jon, a Professor and renowned author, to look at. Upon looking at it they find what appears to be an important manuscript that may rival the dead sea scrolls.However, before they can discover more controversy over Jon's book erupts and threatens to tear apart their world as the Muslims declare a Fatwa on Jon. Thus the non stop action, suspense, twists and turns begin.Though the plot is very well developed and the story line is good I found this book difficult for more to get involved in. In fact I had to begin it again several times after putting it back on my "to be read" shelf behind the other books there. It is no fault of the author - I believe those who enjoy books that are based on such themes would greatly enjoy this. The author has done an extraordinary job at developing every part of this book. The characters and plot are well developed and the descriptive nature is wonderful. One can actually imagine one's self in the places and feel the tension and excitement at each twist and turn.If you read the Da Vinci Code you will love this book because it is similar only more action packed.If you have read and enjoyed other books by this author I have no doubt you will enjoy this one also. I just expected something different and found it to be a little dry at parts.Thank you to Glass Roads Public Relations for this review copy.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    While the main plot of the book is a thrilling search after an archeological find to uncover an ancient manuscript that could lead to another bible, and the forces who don't want this codex to be made public, I found the secondary plot more interesting, as it contained a debate between a Harvard professor and a expert theologian in Islam comparing Christianity with Islam. The content of the debate provides good arguments equally for each religion, while not shying away from pointing out inconsistencies in both. Maier provides us with a look at biblical history while holding us enthralled by the twists in the complex thriller.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    In the third book of his Skeleton series, historian Paul L. Maier has written a taut, compelling thriller. A scrap of parchment leads archeologist Jonathon Weber and his wife Shannon on a wild chase after an ancient manuscript that could change the way the world views the Scriptures. Soon however, the precious pages are stolen and the hunt is on for the lost book of the Bible. Paul Erdman coined the phrase "theological thriller" for Prof. Maiers genre and it fits well. Carefully penned, carefully researched, the resulting story is indeed a classic thriller that takes on the well debated subject of the Ressurection. This fast-paced story is an exciting exploration of the origins of Christianity that could have been ripped from today's headlines. The Webers are well developed characters and a likable couple, the dialogue is crisp and the story never lags. From the halls of Harvard to Istanbul and Rome, The Constantine Codex keeps you on the edge of your seat. Has Jon Weber really found the missing Second Acts? Is St. Paul really buried in the crypt under the Basilica? Forgery or not, will the codex be forever lost? Pick up Paul L. Maier's newest thriller, The Constantine Codex to find out!
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    This story postulates the fictional discovery of a long-lost codex commissioned by Emperor Constantine (this commission is historically accurate). This New Testament codex is identical to the Bible in every way, with the exception that it contains additional verses to the gospel of Mark and also a second book of Acts. In the former, the verses bring about a completion to the abrupt and 'hanging' state of the gospel -- mentioning the resurrection and ascension of Jesus. The latter, expounds on the life and fate of the apostle Paul after his arrest.

    The point to note is that the 'discoveries' are in no way deemed to be apocryphal in that they do not contradict or challenge the Bible, as we know it. As a matter of fact, in the story, an ecumenical council (comprising Eastern Orthodoxy, Roman Catholicism, and Protestants) is convened to decide if the writings should be included into the Scriptural Canons.

    A decent story, but lacking the Dan Brown zing!

  • Rating: 1 out of 5 stars
    1/5
    The intro was well written...However in my opinion the bulk of the book is not. I found the characters flat, the story flat, to me the entire story was very 2 dimensional. I read this book hoping for something like a Da Vinci Code, and came away feeling like I had just read a cartoon handout.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Only if Indiana Jones were to discover a lost book of the Bible, battle his way past Islamic terrorists and later sneak into the inner recesses of the Vatican — only then, would an adventure story compare favorably with those envisioned by Dr. Paul Maier, professor of ancient history at Western Michigan University. Dr. Maier is famous for his academic work which includes accessible editions of Eusebius and Josephus. His fiction works, however, have sold millions of copies, and with A Skeleton in God’s Closet, he virtually created a new genre of fiction: the archeological/theological thriller.The Constantine Codex, released by Tyndale House just this May, is the third book in the “Skeleton” series. It continues the story of archeologist and Christian scholar Jonathan Weber and his escapades. The tale begins with the discovery of a few leaves from the lost works on early church history written by Hegesippus, on whom Eusebius leaned in part for his monumental work on the early church. The contents of those leaves hint at a previously unknown book from the pen of Luke, the author of a Gospel (bearing his name), and the book of Acts — both of which are in the Christian New Testament. Fascinated by the implications, Jonathan Weber and his wife Shannon (who unearthed the missing leaves) plan to embark on a mission of discovery — searching for authentication of their discovery, and the cooperation of the librarians of many of the greatest treasures of ancient Biblical manuscripts. Before they can leave, a world-wide commotion erupts over the Arabic translation of Weber’s influential textbook on the New Testament, and Weber ends up on the receiving end of a fatwa (a death warrant given by a Muslim ayatollah). With the CIA fearing for their safety, the Webers push on and embark on their trip in pursuit of a lost chapter of church history. What they eventually find will change their lives, and the history of Christianity, forever.This fast-paced tale takes the Webers from the Roman tomb of St. Paul, to a dark subterranean chamber reserved for manuscripts in disrepair, and leads to a world-class debate with a leading Muslim intellectual in no less a venue than the Hagia Sophia. And all of this pales in comparison to the incredible discovery of lost portions of the New Testament and the challenge this presents to Weber and his foundation of leading Christian scholars of multiple disciplines.As Maier weaves this tale he includes equal potions of intrigue and suspense, with wonder and raw emotion. His technical discussion of the authentication of manuscript finds and ancient scribal practices is spot on, and his ability to describe and draw you into the scene is superb. Archeology, theology, textual criticism, church history and intra-church politics — all of these disciplines and more are tapped as Maier expertly crafts this story. The result is a tale which is intellectually satisfying, experientially rich and a fantastic read to boot.Maier is a master writer, and The Constantine Codex stands testimony to that. Having not read Maier before, I was pleased to find that this did not detract from following the storyline of this book at all. If you’re looking for a great adventure tale, and especially if you are fascinated by archeology, theology or textual studies, you will want to read this book.Disclaimer: This book was provided by Tyndale House Publishers via Glass Road Public Relations. I was under no obligation to offer a favorable review.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Shannon, about to call it quits wither her excavation of a possible site of great historical importance, almost on a whim visited the nearby current-day building with hopes of discovering ancient church records. But when Father Athanasius opened a precious copy of Eusebius’s Historia Ekklesiastica to where Eusebius credits his original source, Hegesippus, the 5 pages of parchment serving as a bookmark stole her attention…5 pages that could bring sweeping changes to church history. With Jon, her husband and Harvard professor, the two poured over the Greek manuscript with UV and digital photo technology, to find that this was indeed Hegisippus’ work, with shocking references to other documentation and facts. Curiosity peaking, their plans to investigate further get put on hold when an incorrect translation in Jon’s book ignites worldwide demonstrations, violence, death threats, and a fatwa on his head. When Jon’s friend, the world’s foremost theologian in Islam, challenges Jon to a debate, there is little he can do but accept, despite the fact that attempts to support the Bible would be seen as discrediting Islam and the Qur’an, both held in sacrosanct awe. In a debate of worldwide importance, double standards would mean Jon would lose, even if he won. With CIA protectors, “Click and Clack”, Jon proceeded to the Hagia Sophia in Constantinople for the debate. Just days before the onslaught, while taking a break to investigate archives, Jon loses his focus on the debate to a tome that Shannon discovered askew on a bulging shelf in the geniza, a room in the basement where old manuscripts are held with hopes of restoring, but more likely, to be held in disrepair or even weeded out. Further death threats, discoveries, and betrayals and suspense make this book impossible to set aside, and the conclusion does not disappoint.I first became enamored with Paul Maier’s writing in “Pontius Pilate”, a book I read and reread many times. In The Constantine Codex, Meier enlightens the reader with his vast knowledge of places, times, and biblical history, often through friendly, though unnatural, banter between Jon and Shannon. While those communications did not work for me, that should not dissuade readers. It is a great book that will captivate from beginning to end.This is my honest review of the Kindle formatted ARC from Tyndale House, through NetGalley.