Sunday, March 30, 2008
THE HISTORICAL JESUS MAKES AN APPEARANCE
Easter came early this year. What else came early? Good Friday. And what else? A historic moment. Something that has not happened in 2,000 years. (So, okay, it's late, it's way late, but it came earlier this year than it would have any other year.)
In a church in South Wales in the UK, on Good Friday, the truth about how Jesus died has been told from a church pulpit. For the first time in the history of the world, a pastor, minister, or priest has said we have to start really paying attention to the evidence, to what the Gospels really say about how Jesus died and about how his fellow Jews tried to help him at the very end of his life and prevent that Roman execution from taking place.
The preacher had read my book, The Ghost in the Gospels (a link is at right), and was impressed. He is aware of how controversial this is and, for that reason, I am not mentioning his name without his permission. This could have repercussions for him. But he was brave enough to bring it up with his congregation. This is probably just an isolated moment in time. I doubt it will happen again for quite some time.
Scholars for sure will not be thrilled. They have been doing their best for two hundred years to make sure the evidence does not get discussed and the historical Jesus never returns. They have been very successful at it. But I dwell often enough on the scandals of the scholarly world. For now, it's good news. Somebody is listening. Somebody is not afraid to look anew and start asking questions.
The truth has been told. From a church pulpit no less. Something to celebrate. Cheers all around.
Easter came early this year. What else came early? Good Friday. And what else? A historic moment. Something that has not happened in 2,000 years. (So, okay, it's late, it's way late, but it came earlier this year than it would have any other year.)
In a church in South Wales in the UK, on Good Friday, the truth about how Jesus died has been told from a church pulpit. For the first time in the history of the world, a pastor, minister, or priest has said we have to start really paying attention to the evidence, to what the Gospels really say about how Jesus died and about how his fellow Jews tried to help him at the very end of his life and prevent that Roman execution from taking place.
The preacher had read my book, The Ghost in the Gospels (a link is at right), and was impressed. He is aware of how controversial this is and, for that reason, I am not mentioning his name without his permission. This could have repercussions for him. But he was brave enough to bring it up with his congregation. This is probably just an isolated moment in time. I doubt it will happen again for quite some time.
Scholars for sure will not be thrilled. They have been doing their best for two hundred years to make sure the evidence does not get discussed and the historical Jesus never returns. They have been very successful at it. But I dwell often enough on the scandals of the scholarly world. For now, it's good news. Somebody is listening. Somebody is not afraid to look anew and start asking questions.
The truth has been told. From a church pulpit no less. Something to celebrate. Cheers all around.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
MY BOOK IS AVAILABLE
I have just noticed that the picture of my book at right is missing. The icon link still works. If you click on it, it will take you to the site at iuniverse.com where you can see it. The title is The Ghost in the Gospels: The True Story of How Jesus Died and How We All Missed It for 2,000 Years.
You can also find it on amazon.com or bn.com. Just search for my name or the title. This is the only book that does not disappear ancient Jews and the evidence from history. There is so much in the Gospels and in Josephus that exonerates Jewish leaders from complicity in Jesus' death. Scholars have suppressed most of it. They ignore it and thereby erase it from our consciousness. It is also possible to demonstrate that Judas never betrayed Jesus and to show exactly what he did do.
No scholar has ever given a rational argument to prove that Jewish leaders helped Rome execute Jesus and that Judas betrayed him. They argue by innuendo and assumptions more than anything else. The solid evidence for these interpretations of the Gospels is lacking. But the evidence for another interpretation is overwhelming. It's all there in the book.
I have just noticed that the picture of my book at right is missing. The icon link still works. If you click on it, it will take you to the site at iuniverse.com where you can see it. The title is The Ghost in the Gospels: The True Story of How Jesus Died and How We All Missed It for 2,000 Years.
You can also find it on amazon.com or bn.com. Just search for my name or the title. This is the only book that does not disappear ancient Jews and the evidence from history. There is so much in the Gospels and in Josephus that exonerates Jewish leaders from complicity in Jesus' death. Scholars have suppressed most of it. They ignore it and thereby erase it from our consciousness. It is also possible to demonstrate that Judas never betrayed Jesus and to show exactly what he did do.
No scholar has ever given a rational argument to prove that Jewish leaders helped Rome execute Jesus and that Judas betrayed him. They argue by innuendo and assumptions more than anything else. The solid evidence for these interpretations of the Gospels is lacking. But the evidence for another interpretation is overwhelming. It's all there in the book.
