Variously referred to as "Inspired by the Devil" and "The Gospel According to Judas Iscariot", Inspired by the Devil: Part I - The Gospel According to Judas Iscariot, like Mr. Luguya’s first novel Payment in Kind (Kenya Literature Bureau, 1985), is a very unusual book. But, like the latter which has found itself a "niche" in the libraries of some of America’s top universities (even though not sold in North America, Payment in Kind will be found in the collections of Harvard University’s Hollis Library, Stanford’s Socrates, Yale’s Orbis, the libraries at Columbia, Northwestern, Michigan State University, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, UCLA, the University of Toronto, and is even available at the Toronto and New York Public Libraries), it is not a book that is likely to go unnoticed. Inspired by the Devil: Part I - The Gospel According to Judas Iscariot is a mega-buster that theology and bible students - and even students of sociology, philosophy and psychology - one and all, perforce, are going to have to thumb through if only in order to discover first hand for themselves what it is like for the world to stumble upon diaries that were kept by, of all people, Adam and Eve! But what theologian worth his or her name is going to walk away from homilies on topics as abstruse as "the workings of grace" by, of all creatures, Diabolos! This is one work of fiction in which Beelzebub is a full bodied character who delivers stirring sermons one moment, and brags about his role in the downfall of Man the next moment. But it is also about characters as strange as Christian Mjomba, the book’s fictitious author who confesses to being a "prisoner of his own imagination". Not at all a bad thing when it turns out that you need that sort of character to cause you to begin to realize that you really aren’t so knowledgeable in matters of theology after all because you can’t answer (not just off the bat, but even if you had a whole day) simple questions such as: Was the devil making an act faith when he proclaimed that Jesus was the Son of God!

Inspired by the Devil: Part 1 - The Gospel According to Judas Iscariot

Luguya, Joseph M.

Original Books

The Columbia Review of Books & FilmREVIEWED BY:AVRAHAM AZRIELI.Payment in Kind by Joseph M. Luguya is a novel that centers on Africa, yet takes readers on a journey both geographical and psychological, exploring complex issues of culture, politics, religion, justice and race. The novel is told in several layers, each complementing the other, in a highly ambitious structure that excels in keeping the reader's interest. While the novel encompasses multifaceted intellectual disciplines, historical dramas, and social-justice discussions, the author often hones in on human emotions and conflicts with a sharp eye and sensitive perceptions that result in rich imagery. The tackling of serious and complex issues, which is quite ambitious here...is lightened up by observations that touch on the comedic. Perhaps most exceptional in Payment in Kind is the wonderful intermingling - and contradictions - presented in the context of African culture and traditions, contrasted with Christianity and its adherents. For example: "But even as they turn to leave in the face of the practical problems that beset their mission, the representatives of the tribal elders in Namwinkholongwe predict that worse will befall the lad. They are supported in their prediction by not a few of the practicing Christians who watch them leave." An especially fascinating thread in the story is the exploration of psychology and, more specifically, sanity and madness, which is even more engrossing in such a cross-cultural novel. For example: "Without pausing, the balding professor adds as an aside: "I keep telling my students that insanity could well boil down to a trait of the mind - an aversion for thinking in cheerless straight lines or an avowal that one's thinking will be in abstruse vicious circles!" In summary, the author's unique point of view, extensive familiarity with his subject matters and a talent for lively story telling combine to create a realistic novel that spans across borders, oceans and continents, yet succeeds in remaining solidly anchored in the lives of interesting, genuine, flesh-and-blood characters. Highly recommended! The Columbia Review. Sylvia Nunez's review of Mr. Luguya's Payment in Kind: "An immersive and intense journey."

Payment in Kind: (2nd Revised Edition)

Literature & Fiction

Literary

This is the 2nd Revised Edition of Volume Two (Mjomba and the Evil Ghost) of "Humans, the Untold Story of Adam and Eve and their Descendants". "Humans" is riveting theology-fiction in which Christian Mjomba, a student of philosophy and theology with a runaway imagination, is determined to turn in a winning theological thesis. He is tempted to employ the devil, the Father of Lies who masquerades as the Angel of Light, as his mouthpiece for expounding on the Church’s dogmas and he falls for bait! He imagines that, if he succeeds in bringing this off, he will effectively make Diabolos work for the salvation of souls instead of their damnation! And for that, unbeknownst to him, he becomes a marked man. And yes, incredibly, Mjomba succeeds in tricking Beelzebub into working against his own interests and helping him craft a thesis that looks like it is a definite winner! But, brilliant as that accomplishment is, is it really worth the price that is exacted by the Ruler of the Underworld and has to be paid by the unwitting Mjomba?THE COLUMBIA REVIEW OF BOOKS &amp; FILM:Humans, The Untold Story of Adam and Eve and their Descendants, by Joseph M. Luguya creates a dramatic confrontation between a virtuous young scholar and the most malevolent character of all, delivering an extensive, all-encompassing confrontation that becomes a metaphor for the very core of human existence. This thought-provoking, sprawling novel explores unresolved issues of faith and spirituality while the leading character valiantly defends all that he holds dear in the struggle between good and evil, life and death, and the opposing forces of divine creation. Readers will be enticed to contemplate the most fundamental questions of human existence and come away with a deeper understanding of both differences and commonalities that define us. Significant and Memorable!-- Avraham Azrieli, TheColumbiaReview.comHUMANS BY JOSEPH LUGUYA | KIRKUS REVIEWS:Luguya (Payment in Kind, 1985) offers a three-part novel about one man’s extensive views on Christianity. The book begins with an in-depth exploration of the protagonist’s views; there’s more action in later chapters, but the emphasis throughout is on ideas…The book covers an extensive amount of theologically intriguing material…Readers looking for new interpretations of Christian thought will find them here…An insightful…array of spiritual material.MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW: Hellishly delicious, (Humans) is a worthy contemplation of good and evil, and highly recommended reading for its insights on humanity, its wordplay, and sheer devilish delight.www.Spiritrestoration.org: Luguya does very well at portraying the character of the Devil…This book is one that every fan of C. S. Lewis should check out.Stanford Business Magazine: In this novel, the fictitious author of a thesis on “Original Virtue” offers an African perspective of spirituality in general and Christianity in particular.Fr. Gary Coulter: Joseph Luguya has written a very different novel, somewhat on the lines of C.S. Lewis' Screwtape Letters.

Humans (2nd Revised Edition), Volume Two: Mjomba and the Evil Ghost: The Untold Story of Adam and Eve and their Descendants

Genre Fiction

Independently published

This is Volume One of Mr. Luguya's three volume thriller about the devil's desire to claim his due, and one man's journey to hell and back.In this riveting theology-fiction, Christian Mjomba, a seminarian with a runaway imagination, has an assignment to turn in a thesis on "Original Virtue"; and he is tempted to use the Evil One, the Father of Lies who also masquerades as the Angel of Light, as his mouthpiece for expounding on the dogmas of the Church! He imagines that if he succeeds in doing that, he will effectively make Diabolos work for the salvation of souls instead of their damnation! And for that, unbeknownst to him, he becomes a marked man. And yes, incredibly, Mjomba succeeds in tricking the Ruler of the Underworld into working against his own interests and helping him craft a thesis that looks like it is a definite winner! But, brilliant as that accomplishment is, is it really worth the price that is exacted by the Evil One and has to be paid by the unwitting Mjomba?THE COLUMBIA REVIEW OF BOOKS & FILM: Humans, The Untold Story of Adam and Eve and their Descendants, by Joseph M. Luguya creates a dramatic confrontation between a virtuous young scholar and the most malevolent character of all, delivering an extensive, all-encompassing confrontation that becomes a metaphor for the very core of human existence. This thought-provoking, sprawling novel explores unresolved issues of faith and spirituality while the leading character valiantly defends all that he holds dear in the struggle between good and evil, life and death, and the opposing forces of divine creation. Readers will be enticed to contemplate the most fundamental questions of human existence and come away with a deeper understanding of both differences and commonalities that define us. Significant and Memorable!-- Avraham Azrieli, TheColumbiaReview.comKIRKUS Review: The book begins with an in-depth exploration of the protagonist's views; there's more action in later chapters, but the emphasis throughout is on ideas...The book covers an extensive amount of theologically intriguing material...Readers looking for new interpretations of Christian thought will find them here...An insightful...array of spiritual material.www.Spiritrestoration.org: In the same way that C. S. Lewis wrote Screwtape Letters, Joseph Luguya attempts to describe the spiritual realm from a human perspective. Luguya does very well at portraying the character of the Devil...This book is one that every fan of C. S. Lewis should check out. Luguya has a very scholarly form just like Lewis... It is a very convicting book. Luguya is a great writer and well worth the investment in this huge book.Midwest Book Review: This is a novel about the Devil's desire to claim his due, and one man's journey to hell and back. Hellishly delicious, (Humans) is a worthy contemplation of good and evil, and highly recommended reading for its insights on humanity, its wordplay, and sheer devilish delight.Fr. Gary Coulter: Joseph Luguya has written a very different novel, somewhat on the lines of C.S. Lewis' Screwtape Letters .Stanford Business Magazine: In this novel, the fictitious author of a thesis on "Original Virtue" offers an African perspective of spirituality in general and Christianity in particular.

Humans (2nd Revised Edition) Volume One: The Thesis: The Untold Story of Adam and Eve and their Descendants

This is the 2nd Revised Edition of Volume Three of "Humans, the Untold Story of Adam and Eve and their Descendants". "Humans" is riveting theology-fiction in which Christian Mjomba, a student of philosophy and theology with a runaway imagination, is determined to turn in a winning theological thesis. He is tempted to employ the devil, the Father of Lies who masquerades as the Angel of Light, as his mouthpiece for expounding on the Church's dogmas and he falls for bait! He imagines that, if he succeeds in bringing this off, he will effectively make Diabolos work for the salvation of souls instead of their damnation! And for that, unbeknownst to him, he becomes a marked man. And yes, incredibly, Mjomba succeeds in tricking Beelzebub into working against his own interests and helping him craft a thesis that looks like it is a definite winner! But, brilliant as that accomplishment is, is it really worth the price that is exacted by the Ruler of the Underworld and has to be paid by the unwitting Mjomba?THE COLUMBIA REVIEW OF BOOKS & FILM:Humans, The Untold Story of Adam and Eve and their Descendants, by Joseph M. Luguya creates a dramatic confrontation between a virtuous young scholar and the most malevolent character of all, delivering an extensive, all-encompassing confrontation that becomes a metaphor for the very core of human existence. This thought-provoking, sprawling novel explores unresolved issues of faith and spirituality while the leading character valiantly defends all that he holds dear in the struggle between good and evil, life and death, and the opposing forces of divine creation. Readers will be enticed to contemplate the most fundamental questions of human existence and come away with a deeper understanding of both differences and commonalities that define us. Significant and Memorable!-- Avraham Azrieli, TheColumbiaReview.comHUMANS BY JOSEPH LUGUYA | KIRKUS REVIEWS:Luguya (Payment in Kind, 2nd Revised Edition 2017) offers a three-part novel about one man's extensive views on Christianity. The book begins with an in-depth exploration of the protagonist's views; there's more action in later chapters, but the emphasis throughout is on ideas...The book covers an extensive amount of theologically intriguing material...Readers looking for new interpretations of Christian thought will find them here...An insightful...array of spiritual material. KIRKUS REVIEWSMIDWEST BOOK REVIEW: Hellishly delicious, (Humans) is a worthy contemplation of good and evil, and highly recommended reading for its insights on humanity, its wordplay, and sheer devilish delight.www.Spiritrestoration.org: Luguya does very well at portraying the character of the Devil...This book is one that every fan of C. S. Lewis should check out.Stanford Business Magazine: In this novel, the fictitious author of a thesis on "Original Virtue" offers an African perspective of spirituality in general and Christianity in particular.Fr. Gary Coulter: Joseph Luguya has written a very different novel, somewhat on the lines of C.S. Lewis' Screwtape Letters.

Humans (2nd Revised Edition) Volume Three: The Demoniac: The Untold Story of Adam and Eve and their Descendants

A virtuous and rather naïve seminarian is determined to turn in a winning thesis on "Original Virtue". Equipped with a runaway imagination, he thinks that doing so will come easier if he succeeds in using the devil, of all people, as his mouthpiece for expounding on the Church's dogmas! After all they did something very similar in Rome. The canonization process had one of the cardinals (the Promoter of the Faith) act as Advocatus Diaboli (Devil's Advocate), and even argue against the canonization of the candidate for sainthood! Moreover, if he (Mjomba) succeeded in his scheme, that would effectively make the Ruler of the Underworld work for the salvation of souls instead of their damnation!And, incredibly, the seminarian appears to succeed in tricking the Evil One into working against his own interests and helping him craft a thesis that looks like a definite winner. Mjomba realizes, too late, that his scheme of trying to use Satan to turn in a winning thesis has backfired, and that it is the Evil Ghost that is using him to consign everyone to hell.Employing the free platform provided by the unwitting seminarian, the devil indicates, gleefully, that he is in total control; and that his evil plan to consign everyone, Catholic and non-Catholic alike, the luckless student himself included, to hell is on track. In an expansive, record shattering homily on the battle between the forces of Good and the forces of Evil, Satan paints the picture of poor, forsaken descendants of Adam and Eve who, conceived in original sin and wedded to iniquity, won't give a second thought about turning the house of the "Deliverer's" Father which, according to the Catechism, encompasses the "Sancta Ecclesia" and the "people of God" (CCC 781-797), into a place of commerce! But the devil knows what he is up against, namely the Deliverer and those saints who just go marching into the divine banquet hall for the Marriage Feast of the Lamb (exactly as Louis Armstrong piped), and along the way frustrate his designs on the Sancta Ecclesia and its redeeming work.

Humans (3rd Revised Edition), Volume Two: Mjomba and the Evil Ghost: The Untold Story of Adam and Eve and their Descendants

3rd Original Books Edition

This is the 3rd Revised Edition of Volume One (“The Thesis”) of Joseph Luguya's three-volume blockbuster "Humans, The Untold Story of Adam and Eve and their Descendants”. A virtuous and rather naïve member of St. Augustine’s seminary brotherhood has a class assignment to turn in a thesis on “Original Virtue”. But he has a runaway imagination, and easily gets snared into serving in a very strange role, namely the role of scribe to none other than Satan. Misled by the practice in Rome that has one of the cardinals (the Promoter of the Faith) play the role of the so-called Advocatus Diaboli (Devil's Advocate) in order to argue against the canonization of the candidate for sainthood, he falls for the temptation to try and use the devil as his mouthpiece for expounding on the doctrines of the church. He imagines that if he should succeed in doing that, he will effectively make Lucifer, who is also known as Beelzebub, work for the salvation of souls instead of their damnation! And, incredibly, the seminarian appears to succeed in tricking the Evil One into working against his own interests and helping him craft a thesis that looks like a definite winner! Satan starts by bragging about how he derailed the father and mother of mankind; and it soon starts to dawn on the student that it is the Evil One who is using him instead of the other way round! Employing the free platform provided by the unwitting seminarian, the devil indicates gleefully that he is in total control, and that his evil plan to consign everyone, Catholic and non-Catholic alike, the luckless student himself included, to hell is on track! And that former “Angel of Light” and also “Father of Lies” succeeds in ensuring that humans are on the road to perdition by pulling off the most unlikely hat trick of all, namely shining as much light on truth as possible so that humans (who are already inclined to sin) don’t have any excuse at all come Judgement Day - or so he leads the seminarian to believe! Predictably the devil also brags that he is more knowledgeable in matters of theology than all the doctors of the church combined! And, as he goes about shining light on the “Truth”, the devil seems quite happy to use this opportunity to show the world that he does not just profess the Catholic faith, but he is actually more Catholic than the Catholics themselves! It becomes evident soon enough that "Old Scratch" harbors the most God-awful bitterness towards humans. In an expansive, record shattering homily on the battle between the forces of Good and the forces of Evil, Satan paints the picture of descendants of Adam and Eve who are inclined to sin as a consequence of the fall from grace of the first man and the first woman, and won’t give a second thought about turning the Deliverer’s Father's house that, according to the Catechism, encompasses the “Sancta Ecclesia” and the “people of God” (CCC 781-797), into a place of commerce! But the devil knows what he is up against, namely the Deliverer and those saints who just go marching into the divine banquet hall for the Marriage Feast of the Lamb (exactly as Louis Armstrong piped), and along the way frustrate his designs on the Sancta Ecclesia and its redeeming work. For his part, the student starts to see limitless possibilities of benefiting from the scheme before long; and he dreams about riding on the cocktails of Diabolos and achieving fortune and fame by converting the “winning” thesis into a mega-selling blockbuster! While the devil is quite happy with that mutual arrangement and wants to see the student succeed, as disseminating “Truth” in whichever way now serves his purposes very well from one angle, from a different angle, because as the Father of Lies he is being coerced to act against his nature and sees it as punishment, all that now puts the student’s eternal salvation in the greatest peril because of his central role in it.

Humans (3rd Revised Edition), Volume One: The Thesis: The Untold Story of Adam and Eve and their Descendants

A virtuous and rather naïve seminarian is determined to turn in a winning thesis on "Original Virtue". Equipped with a runaway imagination, he thinks that doing so will come easier if he succeeds in using the devil, of all people, as his mouthpiece for expounding on the Church's dogmas! After all they did something very similar in Rome. The canonization process had one of the cardinals (the Promoter of the Faith) act as Advocatus Diaboli (Devil's Advocate), and even argue against the canonization of the candidate for sainthood! Moreover, if he (Mjomba) succeeded in his scheme, that would effectively make the Ruler of the Underworld work for the salvation of souls instead of their damnation! And, incredibly, the seminarian appears to succeed in tricking the Evil One into working against his own interests and helping him craft a thesis that looks like a definite winner. Mjomba realizes, too late, that his scheme of trying to use Satan to turn in a winning thesis has backfired, and that it is the Evil Ghost that is using him to consign everyone to hell. Employing the free platform provided by the unwitting seminarian, the devil indicates, gleefully, that he is in total control; and that his evil plan to consign everyone, Catholic and non-Catholic alike, the luckless student himself included, to hell is on track. In an expansive, record shattering homily on the battle between the forces of Good and the forces of Evil, Satan paints the picture of poor, forsaken descendants of Adam and Eve who, conceived in original sin and wedded to iniquity, won't give a second thought about turning the house of the "Deliverer's" Father which, according to the Catechism, encompasses the "Sancta Ecclesia" and the "people of God" (CCC 781-797), into a place of commerce! But the devil knows what he is up against, namely the Deliverer and those saints who just go marching into the divine banquet hall for the Marriage Feast of the Lamb (exactly as Louis Armstrong piped), and along the way frustrate his designs on the Sancta Ecclesia and its redeeming work.

Humans (3rd Revised Edition), Volume Three: The Demoniac: The Untold Story of Adam and Eve and their Descendants

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