The story “Jesus Christ, Reanimator” by Ken MacLeod was published for the first time in 2007.
The Second Coming of Jesus was supposed to be a momentous event, instead it was a washout. His arrival made quite an impression but there were too many differences between the beliefs about him and the man who popped up, not to talk about the alleged prophecies he had left.
“Jesus Christ, Reanimator” is a tale that defies a trivial classification: I tagged it as science fiction and fantasy for convenience but basically it’s a satire. At the center is the Second Coming of Jesus, who faces a lot of skepticism and doubts because he doesn’t match expectations.
This type of religious satire is not really new and Ken MacLeod, through the reporter who tells his experience in the first person, mentions the movie “Life of Brian”. However things are more complicated, so much that another satirist such as Douglas Adams is mentioned but also one famous for his works of archaeological mysteries such as Erich von Däniken.
Another reference, to the essay “The Physics of Immortality” by Frank J. Tipler describing the Omega point theory that offers a hope of resurrection through scientific speculation, gives the idea of the tone of this Second Coming and the reactions of many people.
In the world in which Jesus returns most people have faith in precise religious concepts or rely on science. In both cases, the reaction to the Second Coming, especially when the alleged Christ reveals himself differently from how he’s described in the Bible, is cold if not hostile.
Is Jesus really a supernatural being? Or the idea people got about him 2000 years ago was due to his use of advanced technologies mistaken for miracles? The answers Ken MacLeod provides, far from complete, are between serious and ironic. On the other hand, if the author had provided his precise answers the story would turn into a sermon.
In the end, in “Jesus Christ, Reanimator” Ken MacLeod brings together various different ideas letting the readers, like the reporter who tells the story, examine their own beliefs, actions and thoughts. If you’re interested in any ideas on this subject, this story is for you. It’s available within an ebook on Amazon USA
