Ben-Hur: A Tale of The Christ - Wallace's Beliefs

Wallace's Beliefs

Publication of the book prompted speculation about Wallace’s faith. It was said he was an atheist and had gone to the Holy Land to disprove the existence of Christ or that he had always been a dedicated practicing Christian. Wallace said in his autobiography

“In the very beginning, before distractions overtake me, I wish to say that I believe absolutely in the Christian conception of God. As far as it goes, this confession is broad and unqualified, and it ought and would be sufficient were it not that books of mine—Ben-Hur and The Prince of India—have led many persons to speculate concerning my creed .... I am not a member of any church or denomination, nor have I ever been. Not that churches are objectionable to me, but simply because my freedom is enjoyable, and I do not think myself good enough to be a communicant.”

He wrote further:

“The Christian world would not tolerate a novel with Jesus Christ its hero, and I knew it ... He should not be present as an actor in any scene of my creation. The giving a cup of water to Ben-Hur at the well near Nazareth is the only violation of this rule ... I would be religiously careful that every word He uttered should be a literal quotation from one of His sainted biographers.” Wallace says in his autobiography, “When I had finished, I said to myself with Balthasar, ‘God only is so great.’ I had become a believer. ”