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The Harrowing of Hell - Jonathan Jackson exclusive

Jonathan Jackson has written a modern "Paradise Lost and Regained" - help fund its printing!

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The Harrowing of Hell - Jonathan Jackson exclusive

The Harrowing of Hell - Jonathan Jackson exclusive

The Harrowing of Hell - Jonathan Jackson exclusive

The Harrowing of Hell - Jonathan Jackson exclusive

The Harrowing of Hell - Jonathan Jackson exclusive

Jonathan Jackson has written a modern "Paradise Lost and Regained" - help fund its printing!

Jonathan Jackson has written a modern "Paradise Lost and Regained" - help fund its printing!

Jonathan Jackson has written a modern "Paradise Lost and Regained" - help fund its printing!

Jonathan Jackson has written a modern "Paradise Lost and Regained" - help fund its printing!

Cave Pictures Publishing
Cave Pictures Publishing
Cave Pictures Publishing
Cave Pictures Publishing
3 Campaigns |
Springfield, United States
$14,230 USD 188 backers
28% of $50,000 Flexible Goal Flexible Goal
Highlights
Mountain Filled 3 Projects Mountain Filled 3 Projects

Short Summary

Jonathan Jackson (of Tuck EverlastingNashville and ENation fame) has written a modern-day classic, a contemporary Paradise Lost. It will be illustrated with original work from a fine artist. If you are a fan of Jonathan and his art, you'll love this work! If you are a classic literature buff, this book is right up your alley! If you like language and its creative, expressive use, you will be captivated by this story. See the excerpt below for a taste!

 

And here's a note from Jonathan himself about how this book came to be:

       C.S. Lewis said, “The heart of Christianity is a myth, which is also a fact. The
old myth of the Dying God, without ceasing to be myth, comes down from
the heaven of legend and imagination to the earth of history.”
This book is ten years in the making. I first began writing it when my oldest
son was six years old. He’s now sixteen and a writer himself. I wanted to
write a heroic epic my children could grow up with and pass on to their
children. Now, the time has come to share it with the world.
       My son’s imagination was captured at an early age by the epic stories of
Beowulf and Hercules. In these stories the longing for a hero emerges
naturally and profoundly. As a father, I longed for this enthusiasm and
exhilaration to eventually transcend mythology and ultimately be directed
towards Christ, the Hero of Heroes.
       This poem explores the epic question: What happened between Christ’s
crucifixion and resurrection
? In the ancient Christian Tradition, it is said that
Christ not only suffered and died on the Cross physically, but that He also
descended into Hell (Hades to be more precise) to destroy the power of
death and rescue imprisoned souls, breaking the iron bars of Death and
Hades. 

       In this story, the foreshadowing of pagan myths finds their fulfillment in the
epic of Christ. The Harrowing of Hell is a glimpse into the untold chapter
of the Greatest Story ever told.

       This is a work of historical fiction, I prefer to call it a poem because poetry
brings us into the “sense of things”; it conveys truth through paradox,
mystery, imagination and allegory, where concrete empirical knowledge
runs out.
       Although there is a great deal of imagination and poetry in this work of
historical fiction, the author seeks to render a faithful depiction of Christ as
revealed in the New Testament and the ancient Christian Faith. It is a
painting, more than an icon.
       As an Eastern Orthodox Christian, I have encountered a different
understanding of Hell, man’s free will and the mercy of God, then is often
articulated in Western traditions. It is a vision that is not widely known in
Europe or North America. It can be summed up by this phrase, “Even the
flames of Hell are love
.” 

       I am hoping that with your help, we will be able to raise enough money to print the first edition, featuring original illustrations. Any additional funds raised after expenses will be going to the monastery of the Life-Giving Spring in Ireland.
        Millions around the world are journeying through Great Lent on their way
towards the Resurrection of Christ. In these difficult and troubling times, it is
my humble prayer that this book will assist the reader’s meditation on the
mercy of God and the lengths to which He will go to rescue us from
darkness.
       Many heroes have risen to the challenge. Only One has descended
.

I can’t thank you enough for your support!
-Jonathan

 

Here is a painting that was a source of inspiration for Jonathan as he wrote:

 

What We Need & What You Get

  

We are raising $17,500 to get The Harrowing of Hell into readers' hands. Supporters can receive an e-book version of the book, a print of an illustration and/or a hardcover edition, plus other goodies! Here are the estimates we've put together to arrive at our total goal:

  • $3,750 to cover the production of original art for the book
  • $1,000 for book design and file preparation
  • $4,000 for audio content
  • $1,000 for e-book preparation
  • $4,750 for printing costs 
  • $1,250 for packaging and shipping costs
  • $800 for Indiegogo fees
  • Add a thousand for contingency purposes, and voila! We're at $17,500.

These numbers are our best estimates, though it is likely the exact breakdown will shift a bit in execution! Anything above our goal will first go to extra fulfillment costs, if any. Remaining funds will be split amongst the author, the publisher and a cause dear to the author's heart: the monastery.

So what are the perks? You can get an e-book of the title, a print of one of the original illustrations, and/or a hardcover edition of the book. Alternatively, you can select a recording of Jonathan reading the book and/or an original soundtrack. You'll also have the chance to get a SIGNED and NUMBERED version of the hardcover. Add-ons include a CD or DVD from Jonathan and his band. And for top backers, there is the opportunity to connect with Jonathan via video conference call to hear about the writing process of the book and how it all came together!

The Impact

This campaign is making the public release of The Harrowing of Hell possible. The manuscript has been a passion project for Jonathan and he is wanting to get it into readers hands this year! 

Stephen Mansfield, an NYT bestselling author, has this to say about the book:

Descensus Christi ad Inferos. Christ’s descent into hell. The ancient creeds teach it. The Church Fathers wrote of it. Modern scholars debate it. Now, Jonathan Jackson unfolds the transforming reality. He brings a mystic’s depth, an actor’s emersion, and a musician’s lyricism to the page. We learn. We are filled. We are changed. Thank God for Jonathan Jackson’s The Harrowing of Hell.

Stephen Mansfield, Ph.D.

New York Times Bestselling Author  

 

Risks & Challenges

The manuscript is already written; we are still looking for an artist to provide original illustrations. The CD and DVD add-ons for the campaign are ready and waiting. Our book designer is waiting in the wings to prepare files for the printer. And our printer is on standby to fire up the presses as soon as the files are done!

Other Ways You Can Help

Feel free to support the project at the $5 level ; the morale boost is an added bonus :)

And please help us spread the word! Share this project with friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, your babysitter and bookclub and favorite barista.... you get the picture! 

Here is an icon that was a source of inspiration for Jonathan as he wrote:

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Choose your Perk

Support the Project!

Support the Project!

$5 USD
If you'd just like to support this endeavor and not ask for anything in return, this one's for you - and we thank you!!
Included Items
  • Support - no strings attached!
8 claimed
Audiobook - Jonathan narrating

Audiobook - Jonathan narrating

$15 USD
Get an audio recording of Jonathan reading his work!
Included Items
  • Audiobook - Jonathan narrating
Estimated Shipping
November 2021
41 claimed
Original Soundtrack

Original Soundtrack

$15 USD
Jonathan has created an original soundtrack for The Harrowing of Hell - enjoy the sounds that inspired the story!
Included Items
  • Original Soundtrack
Estimated Shipping
November 2021
25 claimed
E-book

E-book

$25 USD
If you prefer a digital copy of the illustrated manuscript rather than hard copy, we've got you covered!
Included Items
  • E-book illustrated manuscript
Estimated Shipping
May 2021
28 claimed
E-book + illustration

E-book + illustration

$40 USD
Get both the e-book AND a print of one of the original illustrations created by Nathan Jacobs just for this book!
Included Items
  • E-book illustrated manuscript
  • Print of illustration
Estimated Shipping
June 2021
2 claimed
Hardcover, illustration, Ebook

Hardcover, illustration, Ebook

$75 USD
Get your very own, hardcover edition of "The Harrowing of Hell" - plus a digital copy AND a print of original art.
Included Items
  • E-book illustrated manuscript
  • Print of illustration
  • Hardcover edition of book
Estimated Shipping
November 2021
41 claimed
Ships worldwide.
SIGNED hardcover + the prior

SIGNED hardcover + the prior

$200 USD
Want the author's signature and a special tracking number on your hardcover? Then this is the tier for you - and you get a print of an illustration and the e-book, as well!
Included Items
  • E-book illustrated manuscript
  • Print of illustration
  • Signed, numbered hardcover
Estimated Shipping
November 2021
26 claimed
Ships worldwide.
Signed hardcover + video call

Signed hardcover + video call

$500 USD
Want to hear from the author himself about where the story came from and what it was like to write? Then grab one of these limited perks while you can! 15 special backers will get to connect with Jonathan via video chat to hear all about the project and its genesis. And of course they'll also get a signed hardcover, an illustration print AND ebook.
Included Items
  • E-book illustrated manuscript
  • Print of illustration
  • Signed, numbered hardcover
  • Video call with the author
Estimated Shipping
November 2021
1 out of 15 of claimed
Ships worldwide.

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