Customer Reviews

The Gospel of the Nazirenes

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

When I first heard about this book, I was intrigued, since I was aware of the Ebionites, a Palestinian Jewish sect in the second-century that had their own written gospel, were vegetarians, and followed the Torah (Jewish Law). The question of the rabbinic context of Jesus' teachings has been a source of interest for me as of late (for those interesed, see Lachs' _A Rabbinic Commentary on the New Testament_).

Unfortunately, this is not a "rediscovery" of this text or the equally obscure "Gospel of the Hebrews" but a compilation of the authors' (who are these people, anyway?) favorite quotes from already existing canonical and noncanonical Christian texts. Most of what's in here I have read in other noncanonical texts, like the Gospel of Thomas (an admittedly early text). The unfortunate reviewers below, however, are largely unaware of these facts, and think this is an authentic "translation" or "restoration."

Given that this is allegedly the "original" Gospel, the result of the "reconstruction" is to produce a surpisingly NON-JEWISH Jesus. Most striking is the inclusion of Gnostic, in this case dualistic theology (two becoming one), which is decidedly GREEK and not JEWISH, and the exclusion of everything that make Jesus a believeable JEWISH rabbi (e.g. discussion of sin). Ironically, people who love this book love just those de-Judaizing elements. They speak of the evil "Church" theology but the specific things they attack are actually JEWISH theology. You could even say it's subtle anti-Semitism.

There are some amusing and obviously modern additions by the "editors," too, e.g. the excessively inclusive language. We hear not only about the "Son" (a reference to the "Son of Man" in the JEWISH book of Daniel) but also the "Daughter," not only to the Father but to the Mother (but not as Holy Spirit, as in Gnosticism!).

The funny thing about this sort of thing is that someone "finds" a "very old manuscript" which they somehow manage to date, despite having no training in papyrology, and to translate, despite not knowing the language, and then, somehow, manage to lose the original manuscript! Oops! And surprise surprise, this "new text" agrees with everything we believe now!

This book, let is be said again, is not a translation of an Aramaic text. Surely critical biblical scholarship, papyrologists, and archaeologists would have known about this find. But this book is nowhere mentioned in the literature on this subject. The only conclusion a reasonable observer can come to is that this alleged "Gospel of the Nazirenes" is simply an excursus through canonical and noncanonical texts available to us now, altered here and there to soften Jesus into just what many twentieth-century Americans want: a New Age Christ (and it is in fact popular among New Agers). Isn't is a little unlikely that Jesus would have espoused views completely consonant with today's values, much less that he would have broken with his Jewish heritage so radically and embraced tenets of religious Platonism and modern New Age ideas? Or that these distinguished "translators" would have, perhaps from pure obscurantism, rendered this valuable text in ELIZABETHAN ENGLISH?

In their ignorance and prejudice against Jesus' rabbinical teachings (this is supposed to be a JEWISH gospel, after all), these "translators" have largely excised the "real" Jesus. How sad that seekers like the previous reviewers have been so badly misled by it.

The stories unfold, and having read the King James version more than once, I knew the differences immediately. This plain English translation of early Gospels (that haven't been corrupted by the Catholic Church!) tell what may at last be the true story. A real, believable Jesus, one who cared for animals as well as people, a vegetarian. At the time of his total enlightenment, the baptism by John, Jesus is called the First Begotten son, not the Only Begotten son. There are lovely stories of his childhood, and also the tragic death of his wife, Miriam. Is this Jesus too new Age, because he refers to "previous lives"? If this is New Age, then why have these concepts have been around for millenia! It is about time we knew what he was really all about, and to know him is to love him. FYI, these manuscripts were not lost, the book does not say that. It says that the Catholic Church burned all text which contradicted their own edited version of the gospels. Too bad for them that other texts have been found, and we can now read them and decide for ourselves.

I have always believed that there is more to the Christ story and the teachings of Jesus than what the "Church", since the days of the Council of Nicea, has allowed us to know. And this is what I had hoped that "The Gospel of the Nazirenes" offered to us - a fuller truth. And it seems to deliver here.

But I was very disappointed by what I found. "The gospel of the Nazirenes" is supposed to be a recent find, written in Arameic. Why then did the authors who translated this into English for our understanding resort to the Kings' English of the 17th Century, as if "just another Kings James Version?" It seems to me that an authentic find, translated in modern times, should be read in the English common to us today, and not in an ancient form of our language that few truly understand.

It makes me question the very validity of this "New Gospel", and leaves me disappointed in the new truth it was supposed to deliver.

Once you read this, you will know in your heart that this is the true story of the perfect life of Jesus Christ. Gospel of the Nazirenes devotes a large chunk of the book to painstaking documentation of the authenticity of these ancient texts, which pre-date the biblical New Testament. Learn to love the real Jesus. He was a gentle and compassionate soul, with great love for all living creatures. The Truth is here, finally coming to light just as Jesus predicted in these ancient texts. It is already well-documented that the biblical New Testament was heavily edited, and changed for political reasons! If you are familiar with the bible text, as I am, you will be fascinated to spot where texts were ommitted, or in other cases actually added to the telling of the Gospel in the New Testament! These TWISTED Truths will no longer have power over your life once you read this earlier, purer Gospel. Wouldn't you be fascinated to know that Jesus was really a vegetarian, or that as a child flowers would spring up in places where he walked, or that he really fed the masses with bread and fruit, not loaves and fishes. Learn about the Light Workers who accompanied the 12 Disciples. These ancient texts depict a Jesus who was New Age before the New Age. How can we explain that? Perhaps it is time to open our minds and hear the message Jesus really gave us. In my heart I have loved Jesus. Now, my heart is full to bursting with love for this beautiful person who so loved the world.

This is a truly beautiful rendition of the Gospels. Havn't you ever wondered how much of the Gospels was a re-telling to suit the needs of a particular age or political agenda? Well here is a gospel that presents a truly peaceful and non-violent Jesus. One who loved animals as well as humans. It's the Jesus you always knew was really there.

This is the one book I would keep above all others. It access's the original 'other gospels' that the Nicean Council later burnt and suppressed, so that we were prevented from even seeing them and deciding for ourselves on the 'tough issues'. Now it really makes sense. Basically, it is a fuller illumination of the canonical New Testament, with all the parts that were edited out and suppressed by the Catholic Church of the time. I wanted to know about the real Jesus, and I wanted historical data from the actual first few centuries AD. I feel it is morally wrong that in these educated times, people still haven't been allowed to see Jesus's whole teachings - they are beautiful and so totally illuminating, without sexism or cruelty. The New Testament is an astounding document ofcourse, but others shouldn't water down it's content - we should be allowed to see all there is and decide for ourselves. There are profound revelations that were lost because of later changes, such as in The Lord's Prayer, God doesn't LEAD us into temptation; the original asked God not to LEAVE us in temptation. Big difference. Mary Magdelene has a greater part (and wasn't a prostitite!), as I always suspected. It answers SO many questions, yet uses authentic suppressed sources. If you want the whole picture and the real picture with authenticiy and are sick of being fed only so much or the 'party line', you will be so relieved to finally get hold of this gem - every one, especially women or nonracists should get to see this, and get to make up their own minds. (Notice how the 'Gospel of Mary', an actual gospel, was destroyed and now we only have part of it. I would love to see the whole!) You may also find Edmond Szekely revealing. Good luck, good reading and God bless, this is a wonderful book and about time too! I hope many more ancient texts finally resurface and we all get to see and read them. It's up to us I guess.

I love this book and it definitely resonates the Jesus we learned about in Sunday school. Kind, compassionate, and loving. I tend to believe this is the true version of what the scriptures were meant to teach. Very prompt delivery also. Thanks

Having grown up Catholic, over the years there were many questions still unanswered for me, and thus, I went on my own personal spiritual quest.

This is one of the books that helped me find my personal God, and my personal Jesus. Co-author Wauters, has spent many years himself, along with his co-writer VanWyhe, researching documents, books, scrolls, etc., that the average person does not have access to ~ to bring the reader a concise, cohesive text ~ easily weaving the facts they have discovered into a very readable tome.

I especially loved the explanation of the Immaculate Conception ~ as a Catholic, it really resonated with me. This entire book makes sense! If you have unanswered questions about faith, get this book and read it several times. There is a wealth of information there that will answer your questions, and strengthen your personal relationship with God.

Rev. Paula T. Webb ~ Founder, National InterFaith Council; Author, "Creating Perfect Relationships," "An Independent Ministry," "Cooking with Grace"

The Gospel of the Nazirenes is truly Good News, the Gospel of True Life and Unconditional Love. Jesus is everything I hoped Him to be. This Gospel will change your life.

Gentlemen:

Please advise if an Italian version of The Gospel of the Nazirenes has been printed.

Thank you G. Ardesi Italy