Disciples of Doubt A Journey with the Messiah’s Mother - Chris Stepien

Disciples of Doubt: 

A Journey with the Messiah’s Mother

Chris Stepien
Wellspring Publishing
Dynamic Catholic
ISBN 9781635825497

eISBN 9781635825541

ASIN B0CTHQMLY7

I stated when I wrote my review of Stepien’s earlier book, Three Days: The Search for the Boy Messiah, “I am always a little leery of books that attempt to expand upon biblical events in a fictional way. It is so easy for them to go sideways.” But that first volume came with a recommendation from Matthew Kelly, and from a publisher that I trust. So even with my cautious approach to reading that book, I was greatly surprised. So when this new one was released I was very interested, it just took a while to filter to the top of my ‘To Be Read” pile. Once I started reading this I could hardly put it down. And before I had even finished it I was making recommendations to friends and family.

The description of this volume states:

“From the cross, Jesus gasped his final "Woman, behold, your son." Remarkably, Jesus was giving his mother, Mary, to his beloved disciple, John. Then, Jesus declared this to his dear "Behold, your mother." (John 19:26-27)

Immediately, this new holy family was thrust into the unknowable, along with the Messiah's closest followers. As they struggle through the vicious trauma of the Lord's crucifixion and death—and their own deep doubt in his resurrection—they soon come to discover dazzling new life in their risen Master.

This historical, biblical novel peers into the darkest drama of the Upper Room and the years to come. The sequel to Three The Search for the Boy Messiah journeys across time, from the three days of terror and confusion during Jesus' passion and death, to many years after the Lord's resurrection and ascension, intertwining Jesus' mysterious childhood with the perils of his adult life, family, and friends.

Rich with Hebrew traditions and history, Disciples of Doubt follows a grieving John on the day the Blessed Mother dies. It continues through her funeral procession and memorial, alongside Mary Magdalene and other disciples as they grow the fledgling church of Ephesus.

As hundreds of mourners gather, intimate accounts reveal Mary's life with Jesus, and later John. Who was the Mother of God and what did she encounter after the Lord ascended into heaven, leaving her with a broken, newfound son?”

This volume was an incredible read. It was like extended lectio divina. The text draws extensively from scriptures, and from both Christian and Jewish traditions. I have a religious studies degree with a focus on both Roman Catholic Thought and Jewish studies, this volume would be an excellent resource for a number of courses I took over the years. 

This volume is deeply moving. You will feel yourself transported to the home of John and Mary, and you will be walked through the entire life of Christ Jesus; and many events from the book of acts, but done so in a narrative and conversational format. The book brought me to tears on a few occasions. And close to tears on others. You will experience so many events in the gospels on such a deep level. You will feel yourself transported back to not only the conversations between John and Marry, but the events they remember and retell. You will also experience the early church remembering both Jesus and Mary and the impact they had on their lives. 

This book was a deeply moving read. I found myself transported back and immersed into the events. I already play to return to it and give it a read again later in the year. Maybe slowly over advent or lent. It is an excellent volume that I highly recommend it.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2025 Catholic Reading Plan! 

Books by Chris Stepien:
Three Days: The Search for the Boy Messiah

Dying to Be Happy: Discovering the Truth about Life

Disciples of Doubt: A Journey with the Messiah’s Mother

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