The Jesus Mysteries by Timothy Freke

The Jesus Mysteries book explores the theory that the whole story of Jesus Christ is actually based on the idea that - aside from the bible there's no actual historical basis of Jesus himself - it's based on the myths of pagan gods. Now, whether or not you see this as something true after reading the book is up to you, but it is quite an excellent read whether you're paban or christian.

Just wanted to share in case anyone wanted to add a good book to their reading list!

 

Thanks cerridwen, I'll check it out.

 

Yes, we here Frekes theories here all the time.
It may be an exciting read but its not an 'excellent' read.
Actually its worth reading for the humour value alone.
The main thing is that gullible people will be all too happy to reject Four Gospels and the entire New Testament (not to mention the old) because they are 'skeptical' but a minute later accept just about everything some crackpot author wants to make up and suggest.
Funny times!

 

Quite ironic isn't it? It seems like we're all in the bandwagon of fools. Christians, Satanists, Athiests and the rest . . .

 

No offense to your religion and all. I am just posting because I was curious of what I was recently told. I heard that Jesus had gential warts on his back and they bleed. Is that true??

 

I've got it. Very interesting book.

 

You have to take these psuedo-scholarly christian history books with a grain of salt.

Every one I've ever even started to read died after the first couple attempts at cross referencing I made.

I'm not even a christian but I'm still offended by most books like this (aimed at a lay audience) just because, I've found, they always turn out to be such a waste of time.

 

Funny because I just heard that same story about you.
Possibly your thinking of Job.
Or possibly you are a disgusting ****?
Please clarify.

 

What about www.thegodmovie.com ?

 

You mean those 4 gospels & entire NT that are historically worthless, of unknown authorship from a date unknown, are wholly unproveable, and rely totally upon unthinking gullibility? Hilarious that you see the mote in Gandy's eye but not the log in your own! Typically.

Pseudo scholars? ~
Peter Gandy ~ Master of Arts Classical Civilization; authority ancient pagan religion
Timothy Freke ~ Honours, Philosophy; authority on world mysticism

Grains of salt? ~
"The Jesus Mysteries is a provocative, exciting and challenging book. It will force christians to recognise that what we call orthodoxy is not orthodoxy because it is right, but because it won. Timothy freke and Peter Gandy will force a new debate in christian circles for which the church will ultimately be grateful." Right Reverend John Shelby Spong, Bishop of Newark.

"An excellent book for anyone interested in Christian origins....." Darrell J Dougherty, Professor New Testament Studies, Drew University, USA.

"As the Jesus Mysteries thesis becomes more widely known, and if it begins being accepted, it is clear that the implications are revolutionary. It is likely to become one of the most important religious debatyes in the twenty-first century." Celcily Taylor, Quaker Monthly.

"So persuasive that it is doubtful whether theological scholarship will ever be the same." Robert Macklin, Canberra Times.

'Rarely have the roots of Christianity been disentangled to such disturbing effect. I shall never be able to read the gospels in the same way again.'
Roger Bolton, Presenter of BBC Radio 4 The Sunday Programme

 

the filmmakers wrap it all up with "God isn't there", which is true.

God isn't there, he's here, which is why if you're not here, He isn't there.

(but that's neither here nor there).

 

Hmmmm...maybe I spoke too soon.

Actually I spent at least an hour looking for reveiws and excerpts of this book last night and all I could find was the usual apologist rebutal which you could summarise as "this is icky, I don't like it" or the usual conspiracy theorists endorsment, trans.; "this is telling me what I want to hear therefore it must be true".

I'm probably a little jaded when it comes to anything on this subject written for the general public (read that; people who the authors know--for the most part-- aren't going to bother cross-referencing anything).

Even respected scholars (from either camp) have been known to play fast and lose with the facts for the sake of getting their book sold.

That said, I'm leary of anybody who's still denys the probability that Jesus of Nazzereth was real historical figure, however twisted the tales become.

I figure even if you buy into the most farfetched conspiracy theory, it still would have served the conspirators purpose much more effectively to base their story on an actual person, the bases of an already extant urban legand, rather than making it all up from scratch.

 

whats the book that suggest jesus travelled and studied in the east?

 

Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy?

 

The Aquarian Gospel of Jesus the christ, maybe?

I'm sure there are a few books out there with similar themes.

 

On the contrary dear boy, Jesus of Nazareth was as real a historical figure as David Koresh.

And nearly as memorable.