Simon Parke on Gospel: Rumours of Love

On this week’s podcast, Ed Thornton talks to Simon Parke about his new book Gospel: Rumours of love. A work of historical fiction, it is narrated in the first-person through the eyes of Jesus (Yeshua), Mary Magdalene (Miriam), and Mary, the mother of Jesus. “I was interested in going and having a look at some of the gaps,” Simon says. “What was it like for Jesus to leave home?. . . What was it like to wake up in a tomb after you’ve been crucified? There are big holes in the gospel narrative which I wanted to explore.” The Bishop of Gloucester, the Rt Revd Rachel Treweek, says: “This is a poignant and mystical story of love which is likely to raise more questions than answers, but then that is not unlike the stories Jesus himself once told.” Simon is an author, speaker, and consultant, who wrote a regular column for the Church Times for 11 years. His recent books include an imagined life of Julian of Norwich, The Secret Testament of Julian (White Crow Books) (Books, 30 November 2018) and The Soldier, the Gaoler, the Spy, and her Lover (Marylebone House) (Books, 5 May 2017). Gospel: Rumours of love is available to pre-order from the Church Times Bookshop, and you can read an extract in the 22 January issue of the Church Times. Our colleagues at SCM Press are holding an online day conference on 30th January titled How to Rage: Theology, activism, and the Church. Speakers include Andrew Graystone, Hannah Malcolm, and Azariah France Williams, who have all been on this podcast before. Find out more and book tickets at scmpress.hymnsam.co.uk/events. Try 10 issues of the Church Times for £10 or get two months access to our website and apps, also for £10. Go to churchtimes.co.uk/new-reader.