Sherlock Holmes and The Needle's Eye

This book is subtitled as “The World’s Greatest Detective Tackles the Bible’s Ultimate Mysteries.” The book tells of Holmes and Watson investigating a number of events cited in the Bible. Their investigations are conducted “on site” through acquisition of a sort of time machine, referred to as “The Eye of the Needle.” Later evidence seems to point toward a divine source and control for the time travels involved. Such questions are left open to interpretation by the reader. The author assumes the literal historical truth of the Bible and all investigations and events are presented from that viewpoint. There is no discussion of the fascinating questions about sources, conflicting viewpoints, and archeological evidence that contradicts some events, such as the migration of the twelve tribes from Egypt and the military invasion of “The Promised land.” In addition no attention is paid to the decisions made at various times to include or to exclude certain items from the Bible. The political bases of these decisions, made across millennia, are not cited, much less examined. Reader expectations should be adjusted to fit within these constraints. “The Needle’s Eye” segment describes the process by which these investigations come about and what processes and restrictions are involved. The first investigation is “The Hanging Man,” which examines Ahitophel, a trusted counselor to King David. Ahitophel is recorded as having hanged himself after participating in a revolt against David. His reasons are resolved and explained. The second investigation, “Dignified Harlots,” is to determine the words Christ wrote on the ground when a Pharisee-primed mob demanded that an adulteress be stoned. The identity of the “harlots” in the title is interesting. The third investigation, “Righteous Blood is Red,” investigates the murder of one Zecharaiah, cited in Chronicles. In addition, Zecharaiaha’s murder is mentioned by Christ to the Pharisees in Matthew. These are different Zecharaiahs and the reasons are complex. The fourth investigation, “The Devil’s Enterprise,” examines Christ’s comment in Luke that “the devil … left him until [a more] opportune time” after tempting Him. The fifth investigation, “Pain, Locks and Romans,” examines the reasons that Paul began his Macedonian missionary journey in Phillipi. The sixth investigation, “You Miss, You Die,” examines David and his encounter with Goliath. It asks why David carried specifically five stones when he went to challenge Goliath. The seventh investigation, “Dead Man Walking,” examines Christ’s raising of the dead Lazarus. It asks why Christ waited three full days to return Lazarus from the dead. In the eighth investigation, “Who’s Your Mama,” the question is “Why is Jehoiachin’s name included in Christ’s genealogy, listed in Matthew, when Jeremiah prophesied that it would not be included. In the final investigation, “Run for Your Life,” Christ’s time of birth and time of death are examined. Several times, in both Testaments, these are cited as being at “right times.” The final segment, “Six Cups of Tea,” looks back at the whole experience and summarizes thoughts and viewpoints for Sherlock, Dr. Watson and Mrs. Hudson as well as the officers of Scotland Yard. This is a well-researched and thought-out book. The scholarship is excellent and the arguments are well presented. If you keep in mind what is not investigated and the author’s viewpoint, this can be both entertaining and enlightening. Reviewed by Philip K. Jones, March, 2014.