The Aquarian Gospel of Jesus the Christ [Kindle Edition]

Levi H. Dowling (Author), Eva Dowling (Author), Eva S. Dowling (Introduction)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

This book is an extensive reworking of the Jesus story with strong Theosophical and Spiritualist influences. Of interest is the attempt to fill in the two decade gap in the Jesus's traditional biography. According to Dowling, Jesus spent a lot of time in the mystical East where he learned esoteric methods from the masters, while rebelling against the caste system. The narrative, unfortunately, has numerous historical inconsistencies, including Jesus meeting historical figures who lived hundreds of years before or after the first century, e.g. Mencius. The book has Jesus studying in India in the Orissa area; while this is an historically important ceremonial area, it didn't come into prominence until nearly a millenium later. In addition, this work appears to be derivative of The Unknown Life of Jesus Christ.

None of this lessens the charm or the esoteric insight of this book. Nor should its subterranean impact on popular spirituality in the United States be underestimated. The Aquarian Gospel was rediscovered during the spiritual ferment of the 1960s; a beat-up paperback copy of this book was de rigeur in every hippie pad, and it no doubt played an unsung role in naming the 'Age of Aquarius'. The Aquarian Gospel was probably one of the catalysts for the 'Jesus freak' movement. Although they would never admit it, many a staid evangelical Christian probably had their spiritual awakening while browsing this book in a head shop.--J.B. Hare

About the Author

Levi H. Dowling (1844-1911), who originally composed The Aquarian Gospel of Jesus the Christ under the sole name of Levi, was a Church of Christ pastor, a Civil War chaplain for the Union Army, a practitioner of homeopathic medicine, a New Thought lecturer, and a religious publisher with an extraordinary vision of unity at the heart of the world’s historic religious faiths. Dowling was born in Belleville, Ohio and eventually moved with his wife, Eva, to Los Angeles where he composed The Aquarian Gospel of Jesus the Christ. The book is seen as one of the formative works of New Age spirituality.

Product Details

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 389 KB
• Print Length: 246 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1604598794
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: Evinity Publishing Inc; 1.0 edition (September 15, 2009)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
• Language: English
• ASIN: B002RHONOS
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (51 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #263,926 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

51 of 56 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Treat Yourself to the Book God intended for us to read, January 5, 2001

By 

Timothy Rosen (Brick, NJ USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Aquarian Gospel of Jesus the Christ: The Philosophic and Practical Basis of the Religion of the Aquarian Age of the World (Hardcover)

What I know to be true is this much, the modern versions of the new testament like King James is full of information added by the many transcribers from years past. Then there is a lot of Jesus' life left out to also suit the whole puritain way of thought. Those versions are quite hard to read as well. They suit the whole ritualistic way of spiritual life. Jesus himself said to beware of men in fancy garb who think that by performing rituals that they are holy. I've read the reviews that are disgusted with this book. Those people are holding onto what has been engrained in them. They claim that there is no proof that this is the real words of christ. Have an open mind and I promise you will not be dissappointed. Once you have read it, your own heart will tell you whose version is truth. You don't need any proof. Christ himself said that those who believe without seeing proof are thrice blessed. Don't let someone else make up your mind for you about what's right and what's wrong. I pray you to at least give this book a chance. If you don't, you could be missing out on what just might be the most profound and greatest book you have ever read. Give yourself a chance to decide what version you believe is real.

45 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Most (if not all) Christians will hate this book!, April 23, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Aquarian Gospel of Jesus the Christ (Paperback)

The "Church" (whether any of the Catholic sects or Protestant denominations) has always taught their adherents "traditional truths" about the man that they worship as God, Jesus Christ. Throughout the history of "Christianity," these churches have emphasized rituals and outward demonstrations of devotion to this "god," no less so than the ancient Israelites making the Golden Calf. What has been taught for almost two thousand years is a complete distortion of who Jesus really was. He is the most misunderstood (and most taken-advantage-of) man in the history of the world. This book is certainly not for anyone who is happy or satisfied with the church that they belong to. This book is for people who have doubts about what they are being told, and for people who NEED to understand WHY things are the way they are in this world. Its not good enough for a religious "authority" to proclaim, "You should not have sex before marraige," but not tell you exactly why you shouldn't. The Aquarian Gospel will answer many questions, but those answers will not be accepted by a great many people who will read it. If you are skeptic about Edgar Cayce's "readings" then you should not even bother with this book. Ultimately, Levi and Cayce have tapped the same source; a source which most people cannot grasp, because they are hard of heart.

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A different perspective, June 1, 2002

By 

Michael Schrage (Menomonee Falls, WI USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Aquarian Gospel Of Jesus The Christ (Paperback)

Yesterday I ordered this book to be sent to a pen pal friend in prison. I did so for a few reasons. One is that prisons allow many fundamental Christians virtually free reign in their attempts to "save" the sinners all prisoners are. These well meaning folks in many cases essentially add to the guilt and alientation virtually all prisoners share. Another reason I'm sending it to my friend is that he is well respected for his insights regarding spirituality so when he recommends this book those that know him will be prone to consider what it invites.

Reading a few reviews I can see where what is contained in the book is quite threatening. One person looked at it primarily in the historical perspective using the Bible as the benchmark to disagree with its accuracy.

For me having first read this work over 20 years ago the invitations within it are not just about Jesus by any means. It is a metaphysical treatise. If one has an open heart and mind there will be found within its pages invitations to move past some of our self created limitations.

People quibble if its Divinely inspired. Those that do do not accept and understand that everything is at its core Divine. In time they will.

If you are seeking a further understanding of your place and relationship with what Is this book could help.

Namaste,
Michael