The Reading Lane - "Jesus - the Prequel" by Van Harden

Scott Coleman

Thanks Sally, and welcome back to The Reading Lane, everyone. I’m Scott Coleman—

Kristen Reimer

—and I’m Kristen Reimer. Today, we’re diving into a book that, honestly, left us both a bit awestruck. It’s called "Jesus – The Prequel" by Van Harden. And, Scott, I have to say, this one really stands out for how it tackles such a big, mysterious topic in such a personal way.

Scott Coleman

Absolutely. Now, for those who might not know, Van Harden is actually a bit of a legend in radio—he spent decades at WHO Radio in Des Moines, and he’s got, what, five Marconi Awards? But what really drives this book isn’t his broadcasting fame. It’s his heart as a Bible teacher—over forty years, if I’m remembering right.

Kristen Reimer

Yeah, and that comes through right away. The premise is so intriguing: Did Jesus exist before Bethlehem? And if He did, what was He doing? Who was He? Why does it matter to us now? Van opens with John 17:5—where Jesus prays, “Father, glorify Me in Your presence with the glory I had with You before the world began.” That’s a verse that, honestly, I think a lot of us just sort of skim past.

Scott Coleman

Right, and it’s such a powerful starting point. I remember, actually, the first time I heard someone talk about the pre-incarnate Christ—it was during a university chapel talk, and I’ll admit, it kind of blew my mind. The idea that Jesus didn’t just show up at Christmas, but existed before time itself? That’s a lot to wrap your head around.

Kristen Reimer

And Van Harden really invites us to think deeply about that. He doesn’t just leave it as a theological puzzle—he makes it personal. He’s asking, “What does it mean for us, for our faith, that Jesus has always been?”

Scott Coleman

And I think that’s what makes this book so special. It’s not just about doctrine—it’s about relationship. It’s about realizing that Jesus is the Author, not just a character who enters the story at Bethlehem. He’s always been, and He’s always known you were coming. That’s a comforting thought, isn’t it?

Kristen Reimer

It really is. And what I love is how Van Harden uses these simple, almost grandfatherly analogies to make these big ideas accessible. He doesn’t overcomplicate things. It’s like he’s sitting down with you, just opening the Bible and connecting the dots. I mean, he talks about time—what is it, when did it begin?—in a way that actually makes sense.

Scott Coleman

Yeah, and he keeps it so readable. I think sometimes we get intimidated by these concepts—eternity, creation, the idea that Jesus is outside of time. But Van just, well, he just walks you through it. I remember, Kristen, you mentioned once in class your students were wrestling with the idea of time in the Bible. How did that go?

Kristen Reimer

Oh, it was a bit of a mess, honestly! We were reading Genesis, and one student asked, “So, if God created time, what was before that?” And suddenly everyone’s heads were spinning. But that’s what I appreciate about this book—Van doesn’t shy away from those questions. He actually encourages us to sit with the mystery, but also to see Jesus as the eternal author of our story. It’s not just abstract—it’s deeply personal.

Scott Coleman

Exactly. And he keeps circling back to this idea that creation isn’t just a random event. There’s purpose. There’s intention. And Jesus is at the center of it all, not just as a participant, but as the one who’s always been writing the story. It’s a theme that, I think, really builds on what we talked about in our episode on "The Ghost Writer"—the idea that words, stories, and authorship matter in our faith.

Kristen Reimer

That’s a great connection. And, you know, for a book that’s under ninety pages, it covers so much ground. You could read it in a couple hours, or stretch it out like a devotional. I found myself highlighting almost every page. It’s that kind of book.

Scott Coleman

And then there’s the whole bit about the “Angel of the Lord.” Van Harden really digs into those Old Testament moments where this mysterious figure shows up—doing things only God can do. He asks, is this Jesus before Bethlehem? And, you know, that’s a question that’s sparked a lot of debate over the centuries.

Kristen Reimer

Yeah, and he gives some really compelling examples. Like, you see the Angel of the Lord speaking with authority, receiving worship, even forgiving sins. Those are things that, biblically, only God does. It’s fascinating to see how Van connects those dots and invites us to see Jesus’s presence all throughout scripture—not just in the New Testament.

Scott Coleman

It reminds me of some of those early church debates—was it the Council of Nicaea, or maybe even earlier?—where they were wrestling with who Christ really is. Fully God, fully man, present before creation. I might be muddling the details, but the point is, these questions aren’t new. And Van Harden manages to make them approachable, not just for theologians, but for anyone who’s curious about their faith.

Kristen Reimer

And that’s what I love about this book. It’s not heavy or academic, but it’s so rich. It’s the kind of book you’ll want to read more than once. And, honestly, it’s a reminder that Jesus has always been—He’s always been part of the story, and so have we.

Scott Coleman

Well, that’s probably a good place to wrap up for today. If you’re curious about the deeper roots of your faith, or you just want to be reminded that your life is part of a much bigger story, we can’t recommend "Jesus – The Prequel" enough.

Kristen Reimer

You can find it at vanharden.com or on Amazon, and if you want to hear Van himself read the first chapter, check out the YouTube link in our show notes. Thanks for joining us on The Reading Lane—keep reading, keep asking the big questions, and remember: Jesus has always been.

Scott Coleman

Thanks, Kristen. Always a pleasure. And thanks to all of you for listening. We’ll see you next time.

Kristen Reimer

Bye, Scott. Bye, everyone!