Jay: A Spiritual Fantasy

By Louis N. Gruber

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• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0759658919
• ISBN13: 9780759658912
• Release Date: August 2001
• Publisher: 1st Book Library
• Length: 280 Pages
• Weight: 0.76 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.1" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

An amazing book about a hypothetical religious question

One of the age-old hypothetical questions that Christians ask themselves is "If Jesus returned today, would we recognize him?" The common fantasy is that he would return as a homeless man and everybody would treat him like dirt, and nobody would know the difference. Or maybe he would be put in an asylum with all the other people who have claimed to be Jesus, along with Napoleon and Hamlet. Usually it stops there, with an admonition to treat the less fortunate than us better than we do, since they could very well be the return of the Messiah.Jay: A Spiritual Fantasy, by Louis Gruber, doesn't go in that direction, though some of Jay's naysayers do think that he is insane. The book begins with advertisements left on the car windshields of various religious figures: an Episcopalian reverend, a Catholic priest, a Unitarian minister, and so on. The messages, along the lines of "Come follow me" and "Come when I call you," are followed by detailed instructions of where to meet. A man who introduces himself as Jay slowly convinces them all that he is the coming of Christ, and that they should follow him. They are full of doubt at first, but one by one he heals them of various ailments, speaks what's in their mind, and shows them how to pray effectively. They form a following, one that starts to expand as time goes on and word gets out. The press starts printing stories that take everything he says out of context to paint him as an occult figure or a loon. Jay's time with his flock is limited, however, and he has to teach them as much as he can before that time is up. He stresses that following him will be fatal to some of them, but that if they love him, they must persevere. Jay is a parable of sorts, a comment on how humanity has spent too much time on the trappings of religion and ignored the substance of it. Jay mentions many times in the book how he doesn't want people to classify themselves, but instead to be as one with all. People worship objects that are said to represent him but instead have lost contact with him. His following starts asking him questions about Jay's previous visit, asking him about hell, if he really performed miracles, etc. He continues to avoid their questions by saying that the answers don't matter. That only he matters. "But you see, they do not worship me. They worship their thoughts of me." The representation of Jesus in this book is amazing. He's always laughing, with the ghost of a smile on his face even when he's being serious. He finds himself a slave to the power of ice cream, and they are always meeting at Zippy's to have a bowl of ice cream while they talk.Being a parable, there really isn't much characterization in the book. I had a bit of trouble keeping the characters and their vocations separate in my mind, with only a one character (Angie DeWayne) standing out, mainly because she's not a member of the clergy. Jay is a force more than a character, and we rarely see anything from his poin

A must read!

Mr. Gruber , the author of this fine book, is a Jewish Christian. This what defiantly got my attention to pick this book to read. Than came the subject.Jesus coming back to Earth?! In our modern society? What would happen? I have no idea, but the author defiantly "let it fly"! I love his sense of humor and his "little tricks", he used. Many times he've got me off guard, kind of ambushed me. The News people, the priests, the average... would they believe him? I wouldn't, but may be I should reconsider that one from now on.This book is well written and has several very interesting angles which made me start thinking about my life itself. Only few books in my life had this kind of affect at me, but this one defiantly did.I recommend this book to everyone...at least TO EVERYONE, WHO STILL HAS HOPE IN THEIR LIFE...PS: for the first time, I wrote review with Vlad together and very proud of it.

Throwing Christ to the Christians

"Louis N. Gruber, MD," we are told about its author on the back cover of this book, "is a psychiatrist practicing in a state mental health system." We're also told he's "a communicant of the Episcopal Church." So the author is a psychiatrist working in a state mental health system who believes in Jesus. That convergence is enough to explain the story line of Jay: A Spiritual Fantasy. Suppose a man comes to you and tells you that he's Jesus Christ, returned to earth. How would you know that he's not a mental patient ... or should be?That's the thought experiment that Dr. Gruber sets before us. If the man's teachings appear at variance with the orthodox interpretations of the gospels, do we then regard him as a demon meant to draw Christians away from the real, historical Christ? Is the man's refusal to endorse any religion, or condemn any, to be taken as heretical to Christian theology and undermining preaching the gospel? What if he includes a homosexual in his circle of close followers? Does loving all mankind mean that you actually have to tolerate them?What if Jesus came back and you didn't recognize him or, worse, that you didn't like him or agree with him? Is Jesus only Jesus if he's safely in Heaven and not in your face, if he shows up in slacks and an open shirt on your favorite TV talk show? Do you turn ice cream into the stuff of communion because it's pretty much all he eats?How would you choose if he could cure the sick and walk on water, but your church condemned him as a fraud because he told his followers not to pray in words but in silent meditation?This delightful short novel is full of provocative questions for Christians who aren't afraid that provocative questioning is damaging to their faith. reviewed by J. Neil Schulman,author, Escape from Heaven

What would a spiritual savior be like today?

This book is a spiritual allegory based on Jesus returning to the world in modern times. First, he sends anonymous messages to ministers, pastors, reverends, priests, and preachers stating simply, "Come to me", "Follow me". Also, there is a rabbi among the group who plays a special role. Eventually all of them meet. They discuss theology on which none can agree ... Gradually at their gatherings Jay introduces thought-provoking questions and topics making them contemplate and question *their* faith. A few reach an understanding and recognition of "Who he is". Only one, the Greek Orthodox priest senses he has seen this man before, a man of olive complexion and deep brown eyes ... it later dawns on him, this is the same face as depicted in icons. There are differences, questions, and even arguments based on Jay's teaching, his words are dissected and his actions criticized by some, especially the media. His unorthodox methodology comes to the attention of a popular TV talk-show host & hostess and the the *fun* really begins ... One effective twist in the plot is Jay's willingness to subject himself to a battery of validated psychological tests offered by a psychiatrist and the very *startling conclusion he draws ...The author builds up suspense and probes the hearts of Jay's followers. One of the most enjoyable writing techniques was the author's description of a "real event" in Jay's ministry which is then followed by the media headlines, portraying a "different" meaning and intent. This is superb writing!!! I did not know what to expect from a book on a subject of this magnitude ... I was pleasantly surprised and blessed! I was spell-bound from beginning to end - unable to put it down. I finished it *almost* but not quite at one reading. I highly recommend this book! Erika Borsos (erikab93)

Compels one's attention and won't let go

Jay: A Spiritual Fantasy by educator and psychiatrist Louis Gruber is an intriguing novel founded upon the personality of Jesus and the nature of his teachings. A master storyteller raised in the Jewish faith who converted to Christianity upon adulthood, Jay: Gruber's A Spiritual Fantasy draws upon a wide range of sources to present a an intriguing work of fiction that compels one's attention and won't let go. A fascinating literary fiction showcasing the human nature of Jesus Christ.