Another Jesus, a Different Spirit, a Different Gospel

It's the Christmas season-"the most wonderful time of the year" for most people in River City, California. But for Jehovah's Witnesses Lawrence and Brad, it's a time for them to try to explain "the truth" about this holiday season to the people of the community. Their earnest efforts may earn them ridicule, disagreement, or a door slammed rudely in their faces, but they persist-and are sometimes able to find a mind and heart receptive to their urgent message about Jehovah's coming Kingdom. Whereas for Elders Skousen and Marshall-two Latter-day Saint (Mormon) missionaries-the season is another opportunity to share their Church's distinctive interpretation of the Christian gospel; but their efforts are often rebuffed, as well. In the course of their work, these two pairs of men engage in dialogue with traditional Christians, as well as members of the Church of Christ; the Community of Christ (RLDS); Seventh-day Adventists; and "Oneness" Pentecostals-not to mention skeptics, atheists, and the increasing numbers of people who lack any particular religious beliefs. But when a local church brings in a researcher to give a series of lectures on "Cults"-and specifically targeting the Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons-a confrontation is ensured, where theological and biblical concepts collide in a public forum. Who, if anyone, really has "the Truth"? Can one still discover the "true meaning of Christmas" in the midst of passionate disagreements over the validity of the holiday season? Are objections raised about the secularization and rampant commercialism of the modern celebration valid? Spend a holiday season (or any other season) with some interesting and intellectually-stimulating characters, as they explore these and other challenging questions. (Readers of the author's earlier novel, A Multicultural Christmas, will be pleased to see a brief reappearance of two characters from that book.)