What If We Could Travel Back to Jesus' Time? What If Our Motives Were Not Too Noble?  "Saving Christ: Starway Seven" by Francis T. Perry Williams is a fresh perspective on the crucifixion of Christ. Right from the start, readers will know they're in for something different. At first I was just struck at how white the four people on the cover are: Christ, the Centurion, Mary (the mother of Jesus), and ...? Mary Magdalene? But wait! She's dressed in a dress with a tank top neckline and lack of sleeves. And she's carrying what looks like a machine gun.

As it turns out, the images that I thought were too white were handled accurately. The person with the anachronistic gun is Jennifer, the main character (sorry, Jesus) of the book.

The basic story is that a team of scientists has been able to develop a time travelling vehicle. It is decided that a team of scientists and agents will go back 2,000 years in the past to Jesus' time. Some feel the mission is to prove that Jesus was real and was, indeed, the son of God and part of the Holy Trinity. Others have less noble plans for the team. One of those people is President Jim Peck, whose only son died in a car accident: “WHY?” Jim Peck shouted at Father Murphy. “Why did God abandon me? Why did He take my only son…my only child?"

The book gives a pretty good look at what the town and its people looked like and acted like. Although instructed not to do anything that would change the course of history (think of Star Trek's Prime Directive), Jennifer becomes romantically involved with Jesus. This is shown realistically, step by step, and is handled sensitively. (They don't go roll in the hay, so to speak.) Some hints are dropped but not explained; the reader is left to his or her imagination. These hints are like how many times it is stated that Judas doesn't like women, or Jesus' taste in women has improved and Jennifer is not like his "usualy whores." (I noted that there is no sign of Mary Magdalene in this.)

There are a few tiny errors with language and punctuation, such as confusing "lie" and "lay" frequently. These are easy to overlook, though, in the context of such a compelling story. I also get a little tired of Jennifer being told how beautiful she is and how fair her skin is. It made me uncomfortable that beauty might be equated to fair skin only. Then again, I might be reading too much into it. Jesus was also described as being very good looking. Can't homely people do heroic deeds? A few glitches were probably introduced in the editing process. It is mentioned that Judas kissed Jesus, but not when we would have seen that take place. There's another thing that isn't answered, but that would give away too much.

I would say that the book is written from a Protestant perspective; that is to say that Jesus in this book has half-siblings (whose father was not God). The Lord's prayer is also recited and then Jennifer says it again later, adding the doxology, which is used by most Protestants: "For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, now and forever. Amen." Jesus' reaction: "Jesus approached Jennifer and put his arms around her. 'You have added a few words I did not teach the others. I approve.'"

The motives and beliefs of the various characters are examined and exposed through a strong close third-person narrative. Even the characters who have ulterior motives and beliefs. One character interviews one of the scientists and concludes "The male scientist/historian, Dr. Leo Garnier was another wash. Although technically a good man, he was too wrapped up in science to have any real faith." I've been a scientist and am a person of faith. I don't believe they are mutually exclusive. That's OK, I didn't like the character who is thinking this.

The ramifications of time travel are interesting to mull over and are presented throughout the book. If modern-day people took germs back in time, it might wipe out the entire population. If a modern-day person is killed in the past, what happens to all of his or her descendants? If a weapon from today were taken back in the past...but I don't want to spoil anything.

I highly recommend this book to readers who like action, history, fights, examining faith, examining the Jesus story, with a romance on the side.