Zeus Was an Atheist
An Odd Retelling of the Moses Story
- Fiction
- Publisher: Cascade Books (Wipf and Stock)
- Published: 2026
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Publisher's Description
Before the 10 Commandments, there were questions. Join Moses as he wrestles with whether God exists, whether beauty, morality, and truth are illusions, whether Zeus and Ra are actually atheists, and how he’s going to carry these two massive stone tablets down the mountain all by himself. Part novel, part philosophical debate, part mythological war of the gods, part irreverent screenplay about fighting demon-snakes—this book is the odd genre-mashup you can’t quite look away from. Whether readers are religious or not, whether they love the Moses story or have never heard it before, this book will leave them hooked, challenged, inspired, and ready to hear how it all ends. Includes a study guide for individuals, groups, churches, and classrooms.
Endorsements (4)
“In the tradition of Milton, JD Lyonhart poetically retells the timeless tale of rebellion, redemption, and the exodus that forged a nation. Zeus was an Atheist conjures piercing questions for the reader to ponder amidst prose that unfolds like poetry. JD creatively explores the unfolding mystery of being, reason, morality, beauty, and life under the shadow of YHWH’s wings, collecting God’s attributes with each turn from Egypt to Midian to Sinai to the precipice of the Promised Land itself. A simply marvelous read.”
“Wow, what a story teller! Jonathan Lyonhart’s thrilling narration invites us to spend a day in Moses’s sandals. Lyonhart has us experiencing things first-hand, as it were: shuddering as the Egyptian chariots approach; then strolling in the evening through the Israelite camp, only to meander up Sinai to encounter the great I AM. All the while, with philosophical precision Lyonhart has us pondering the unique goodness and reality of this strange God of the exodus. A must read for all who hope that God is, in the end, good.”
“Lyonhart has once again merged his imagination with theology to produce a unique perspective on Scripture. Zeus was an Atheist . . . is indeed not a commentary in the traditional sense of the word, but an inventive retelling of the Moses narrative with application to issues we confront today. It would be an invaluable resource for the theologian, apologist, and practitioner alike.”
“Lyonhart invites readers into a deeper, more expansive engagement with some of humanity’s most profound philosophical and theological questions. By placing Moses in lively dialogue with later Greek mythological traditions and modern scientific theories, he constructs a kind of contemporary philosophical midrash—creative, daring, and thoughtfully constructed. A delightful intellectual thought experiment that will leave readers captivated. An exhilarating read!”
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