Short Summary

Jonathan Jackson (of Tuck Everlasting, Nashville 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: