Beliefnet named Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt its 2005 Book of the Year on the basis of its "creativity, its unique spin on one of the world's most important religious figures, and for its impact on Christians and other readers".[1] Janet Maslin of The New York Times said "The restraint and prayerful beauty of Christ the Lord is apt to surprise Rice's normal readers and attract new ones".[2] Lev Grossman of Time said "This is in fact an intensely literal historical, reverent treatment of a year in the life of Jesus, written in simple, sedate language".[3]