Lew Wallace
Ben Hur

Depicts very well how all priestly classes have always failed because of the presumption that they know better, and therefore lack the simplicity and clarity to recognize any revelation of Truth or the Truth itself because seeing themselves as the constituted authority in all matters religious, they also assumed that they are the supreme custodians and interpreters of the Truth, and when the Truth does come, in all simplicity, as it must always do because this is Its very nature, they in their complicated religious practices cannot recognize It. …

The depiction shows clearly how a people blessed and chosen by the Almighty, and to whom He revealed His Laws through highly called ones, could still be ensnared by the darkness because of the intellectualism of its priestly caste.

I found the language used very good. The juxtaposition of the characters of Iras and Esther very profound, etc., etc. Also interesting, the juxtaposition of Balthasar and Iras. One guided to the manger at the birth and also guided again to witness the crucifixion, yet his only daughter, wholly of the darkness.

Certainly, highly recommended.

DR