Columnist Limbaugh releases Christian book

David Limbaugh's new book, "Jesus on Trial: A Lawyer Affirms the Truth of the Gospel," is a departure from his more political work.

"The nature of the subject matter is so positive, as opposed to politics, which are necessarily negative," Limbaugh said in an interview Friday, in advance of the book's release Monday. "This book is about Christianity. I'm looking forward to a change of pace, a change of perspective, a change of focus. I think the whole thing will be more fun and gratifying."

In its synopsis of "Jesus on Trial," Limbaugh's publisher, Regnery Publishing in Washington, D.C., says the book makes a case for "hard evidence of the life and work of Jesus Christ."

Limbaugh, a practicing lawyer and former law professor, approaches the canonical gospels as he would a legal document, the synopsis says, asking questions about the story of Jesus told through the books of disciples Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

The analysis becomes personal as Limbaugh reflects on his own "spiritual and intellectual odyssey from determined skeptic to devout Christian," the synopsis says.

The idea for Limbaugh's sixth book arose from several factors -- a dinner with two high school friends, a call from his publisher with an idea for the book, and having recently completed an online course on the Old Testament.

Initially, he balked, but then he started thinking maybe there was something "providential" going on and he should consider writing it. Also, coming from a background of skepticism, he said, maybe he could reach people theologians couldn't.

"I was a little bit nervous about it because I'm not a ... credentialed expert," Limbaugh said.

The book came together quickly. Limbaugh appeared on Sean Hannity's radio and TV shows Monday to launch it, and estimated he was lined up -- so far -- for about 50 radio and TV interviews.

"You have to get all over the media as much as you can," Limbaugh said. " ... I think the book promotion is easily as hard as the researching and writing the book."

Limbaugh agreed to produce the book on a year's time line. He usually plans to start writing a book about six months after agreeing to it.

This time, he studied and read for six months and started brainstorming shortly after an agreement was reached. "So for six months I wrote down ideas," Limbaugh said.

He accumulated 200 pages in his note file, went through it and figured out what the chapters would be.

Ultimately, he put it together sooner than expected.

Researching the book, he said, was "very intense" but enjoyable. He used software called Logos Bible Software, which features almost 12,000 searchable books on theology. "It's the most amazing thing," he said.

The first two weeks, he wrote the first chapter, slower than he was used to going. In the next five weeks, he wrote 20,000 words a week and had a first draft in seven weeks.

"I was just on fire. I really had put a lot of hours in," Limbaugh said.

He added that computer research was very efficient and instantaneous. "It just came together like never before," he said.

He spent the next three weeks thoroughly editing his copy before turning it over to the publishing house.

Limbaugh and his wife, Lisa, who live in Cape Girardeau, have five children ranging in age from almost 10 to 21. He writes a syndicated column that appears in the Southeast Missourian.

rcampbell@semissourian.com

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