Jesus was the son of a Roman soldier who raped Maria - Verhoeven

An Amsterdam publisher says it will release a biography of Jesus written by filmmaker Paul Verhoeven.

Verhoeven is better known as the director of "Basic Instinct" and "Robocop," but is also a member of the "Jesus Seminar," a group of scholars and authors that seeks to establish historical facts about Jesus.

Spokeswoman Marianna Sterk of publishing house J.M. Meulenhoff said the book includes several ideas that run contrary to Christian faith, including the "suggestion" Jesus was the son of a Roman soldier who raped Maria during an uprising.

She said Wednesday the book is to be published in September and translated into English in 2009.