Welcome to our exclusive interview with author Eileen Maddocks, where we delve into her upcoming release, “The Coming of the Glory” Volume III. Eileen, renowned for her insightful exploration of Hebrew prophets and prophecies, offers a unique perspective that intertwines historical analysis with spiritual depth. In this interview, we’ll uncover Eileen’s approach to writing, the inspiration behind her trilogy, and the profound messages awaiting readers in the final volume. Join us as we journey into the heart of ancient wisdom and timeless truths.
- Can you describe your approach to writing? How did you get started?
Eileen Maddocks: About ten years ago, I was frustrated that I could not find any Bahá’í-inspired books on the Hebrew prophets that examined their lives and prophecies in a systematic, chronological manner within the context of Israelite history. Someone should have done that, and whoever has the idea gets to do it!
I approached my writing systematically and chronologically, and I outlined each volume chapter by chapter before starting. The hardest part of writing is simply getting started. I had much reading and research to do first, but I remember that at some point I knew that I simply had to get started writing. Each chapter had to be rewritten several times.
- What inspired you to write this book trilogy?
Eileen Maddocks: I wanted to know more about the Hebrew prophecies and to what extent they were relevant to us today. A strong impression I received to the effect that I should write this trilogy was certainly an inspiration to get started. This directive was also the inspiration that carried me through ten years to the end.
When I started this trilogy, I did not realize its potential importance because I had not yet read what ‘Abdu’l-Bahá wrote about the Bible. He was the son of Bahá’u’lláh and was appointed by Him the Head of the Bahá’í Faith and the sole interpreter of the writings of Bahá’u’lláh. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá wrote:
The Bible and the Gospels are most honored in the estimation of all Baha’is. One of the spiritual utterances of His Holiness Christ in his Sermon on the Mount is preferable to me to all the writings of the philosophers. It is the religious duty of every Baha’i to read and comprehend the meanings of the Old and New Testament.
We need to take to heart ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s admonishment, “You must know the Old and New Testaments as the Word of God.”
And we must remember that, when leaving a London church in 1911 where ‘Abdu’l-Bahá had just addressed 2,000 individuals, He inscribed in a Bible there that had been used by generations of preachers the following words in His native Persian, transcribed:
THIS book is the Holy Book of God, of celestial Inspiration. It is the Bible of Salvation, the Noble Gospel. It is the mystery of the Kingdom and its light. It is the Divine Bounty, the sign of the guidance of God.
- What is the most challenging part of your writing process?
Eileen Maddocks: The most challenging part was the interminable research to divide fact from fiction, to find probable truth regarding the events of thousands of years ago. In addition, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá rolled validation and caution together when He wrote: “The Words of God have innumerable significances and mysteries of meanings—each one a thousand and more.” This was a warning not to argue about biblical interpretations but to meditate on the verses and to investigate them more deeply. And the investigation never stops because archaeological progress never stops, and never do the considered insights of well-trained minds.
- Who should read your books?
Eileen Maddocks: My books are excellent for readers who have little acquaintance with the Hebrew Bible, or Old Testament. After reading my books, though, they will have a good grasp of Israelite history and how the prophets served not only the people of their time, but also foretold much for us today. We are living in a secular society that is increasingly plagued with moral relativism and irreligion. Our society is disintegrating and will continue to do so regardless of any political, socioeconomic, or other measures taken by government. It’s imperative that we renew a relationship with the eternal divine truths found in the Bible.
- What kind of stories do you personally like to read?
Eileen Maddocks: Escapism like the Jack Reacher series, and books that feature dogs.
- Can you recommend some of your favorite titles?
Eileen Maddocks: I think that the best dog book ever written is Merle’s Door: Lessons from a Freethinking Dog by Ted Kerasote. Dean Koontz wrote an entrancing series about very special golden retriever dogs that starts with The Darkest Evening of the Year (2020).
- Do you have any upcoming events in the works?
Eileen Maddocks: I am a regular presenter online with Clearwater Bahá’ís, and my previous talks can be found on my YouTube site at eileenmaddocks.com or on Clearwater’s YouTube site. Approximately late August, in collaboration with Peter Terry, I will start a 15-part, weekly series The Bible Renewed hosted online by Clearwater Bahá’ís.
- What do you hope readers take away from the final volume?
Eileen Maddocks: I hope that readers will finish the final volume with love for God and appreciation for the plan He has had for humanity for a very long time.
And I dearly hope that the readers will no longer think that the Bible is difficult to read and to understand. It’s not!
- Can you share an excerpt with our audience?
Pre-Exilic prophet First Isaiah:
Isaiah lived in complex, turbulent times, both politically and religiously, during the decline and fall of the northern kingdom. His book states that he counseled Ahaz during the Assyrian threats of the late 730s, and he also counseled Hezekiah during the Assyrian depredations of Judah and the siege of Jerusalem. He was closer to the kings of Judah than any other prophet, except possibly for Jeremiah, who had intense interactions and altercations with Jehoiakim and also advised and warned Zedekiah personally about the Babylonian threat.
One can feel Isaiah’s pain and anguish acutely as he transmits the words of God. His outrage at the victimization of the lower classes is barely contained. Isaiah fights a lonely battle against the low moral standards of his day that desecrated the Mosaic Covenant.
Isaiah issued many warnings called woes :
“Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people, making widows their prey and robbing the fatherless” (10:1–2).
“Woe to those who go to great depths to hide their plans from the Lord, who do their work in darkness and think, ‘Who sees us? Who will know?’” (29:15).
(The Coming of the Glory, Vol. II, 85-86)
Exilic prophet Second Isaiah:
Steeped in the tradition of First Isaiah, Second Isaiah reflected much of his predecessor’s theological beliefs. Yet Second Isaiah was separated in time, distance, and circumstances from First Isaiah, and he developed his own approach for the challenges of his time. The Exile had begun by the time of Second Isaiah, and this made paramount the reassurance of the comfort and mercy of God. The redemptive message was that God would bring deliverance and salvation to His people. Not only would the Hebrews of the Exile be restored to Jerusalem, but clear signals were given about future Prophets of God, including Jesus, the Báb, and Bahá’u’lláh.
The beauty and scope of Second Isaiah are staggering. This prophet painted a portrait of the condition and future of his people with a sweeping brush of compassion, certitude, and optimism. Punishment had been meted out, the sentence was being served, and never again would God so chastise His people like that.
Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. (Isaiah 40:1, KJV)
(The Coming of the Glory, Vol. III, chapter 9)
Post-Exilic prophet Third Isaiah:
As did all the prophets, Third Isaiah spoke strongly for justice. “This is what the Lord says: ‘Maintain justice and do what is right, for my salvation is close at hand and my righteousness will soon be revealed’” (Isaiah 56:1). He scorched the perpetrators of injustice with his words from the Lord: “No one calls for justice; no one pleads a case with integrity. They rely on empty arguments, they utter lies; they conceive trouble and give birth to evil” (Isaiah 59:4), and “So justice is far from us, and righteousness does not reach us. We look for light, but all is darkness; for brightness, but we walk in deep shadows” (Isaiah 59:9).
The verses of Third Isaiah also soar with promises of the coming of the light and glory of the Lord. For example,
“Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.
See, darkness covers the earth
and thick darkness is over the peoples,
but the Lord rises upon you
and his glory appears over you.
Nations will come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
(Isaiah 60:1-2)
(The Coming of the Glory, Vol. III, chapter 14)
- What’s your advice for aspiring authors?
Eileen Maddocks: Quit talking and get started. I told very few people what I was writing. Settle in for the long stretch. There will be peaks and valleys to your writing, periods of inspiration and then despair of ever getting the words right. Consider writing short stories or nonfiction articles for publication for blogsites, newspapers, magazines, and journals. Develop your portfolio of credentials.
If you are a new author, be realistic about getting a publisher. It took J. K. Rowling 16 submissions, and rejections, of the first Harry Potter book before the 17th publisher accepted it. Plan B is to self-publish, but before doing that, learn all you can about self-publishing. It may be your answer, but there are also pitfalls. Self-publishing a quality book is not inexpensive, and there are lots of mistakes waiting to be made. Consider the marketing effort that comes after self-publishing.
I self-published my first book, 1844: Convergence in Prophecy for Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and the Bahá’í Faith. After that, I got a publisher for the trilogy The Coming of the Glory.
The Coming of the Glory Volume III is available for pre-order at SOOP.
Exclusive offers include SOOP’s Special Pre-Order Offer, The Coming of the Glory Collection Offer, and Eileen Maddocks’s Legacy Offer, which readers can enjoy in anticipation of the book’s launch and upcoming Bible study course. Please explore our website for more information about Eileen Maddocks and The Coming of the Glory series.
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