Hidden Stories of the Childhood of Jesus (Hidden Treasure) [Paperback]

Glenn Kimball (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Due to the censorship of time and doubt, most of the documents and oral stories chronicling the early life of Jesus were destroyed, lost, or forgotten. After 25 years of research, during which author Glenn Kimball visited museums, Indian tribes, medicine men, and universities, he assembled some of the missing links and unsolved mysteries of Jesus' early life. What are some of these hidden stories?

"For example, Joseph was reported from many sources to have been much older than the 15-year-old Mary, and a widower with four children.... James and Simon are well known to have been brothers of Jesus, but few understand that they were His older brothers," according to Kimball. Perhaps more surprising is that Jesus was most likely born with the help of a midwife named Solome in a cave outside Bethlehem near the ancient tomb of Rachel. Readers may also be surprised to read that Jesus might have been persecuted and nailed to the cross as much for his insistence on allowing young women and wives to study with him as for his assertion that he was the Son of God.

Like believing in Christianity, believing in these stories is an act of faith. Despite Kimball's impressive research, scholars could no doubt argue the validity of his findings for centuries hence. Nonetheless, it is a valuable and intriguing collection of stories that briefly (the book is only 96 pages long) recount the legends of Christ's childhood, including his early acts of healing, miracles, and his first childhood encounter with a Satan-possessed, biting child named Judas. --Gail Hudson

Review

Glenn Kimball's Hidden Stories Of The Childhood Of Jesus is the first narrative written in a book format that details the pre-adult life of Jesus in a series of stories based on twenty-five years of research from ancient documents discovered in middle eastern caves and abandoned church archives. Many of the unanswered questions that people ask today concerning the early life of Jesus and the Holy family are answered with this slender (96 pages) and informative book. The childhood of Jesus as been of intense interest to Christian communities and scholars for two thousand years. While the canonical gospels make scant mention of the childhood of Jesus, the apocryphal stories of the child Jesus are more plentiful (and some would say, fanciful). Hidden Stories Of The Childhood Of Jesus is informative, challenging, provocative, controversial and engaging reading. The acceptance Kimball's interpretations of these stories is the province of the individual reader, but there is no denying the scholarship and the data. Hidden Stories Of The Childhood Of Jesus is fascinating and informative reading. -- Midwest Book Review

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: BF Publishing (August 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 096533273X
• ISBN-13: 978-0965332736
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.2 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #565,802 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #24 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Religion & Spirituality > Christianity > Reference > Biographies
  • #62 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Religion & Spirituality > Religious Studies > History

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "Interesting", November 27, 2001

By 

Johannes Platonicus (South Bend, Indiana) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Hidden Stories of the Childhood of Jesus (Hidden Treasure) (Paperback)

Glenn Kimball's compacted work begins with a summary of biblical origins, the canonization of the scriptures, and a segment on the nature and origin of the Early Church. Also included is a short definition of the word apocrypha, which Kimball insists orginally meant "one too sacred and secret to be in everyone's hands." However, its etymoligical derivative, which is rendered into apocrypha by joining apo-(away)+kryptein(to hide)=Greek apocryphos, does not suggest Kimball's definition. The stories found here are very interesting, and are full of tales not only of the young Messiah's life and deeds, but of the lives of Mary and Joseph, and the rest of Jesus' family as well. While these hidden stories may seem a bit jejune to the sceptic, they will still nevertheless be a fascinating collection of extra-biblical stories for the individual seeking knowledge on the early life of Christ; and they will also be a fair study companion for the search of the historical Jesus.

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A well researched must read for Christians and historians, December 7, 2001

By 

Mary Jamba (Cleveland, OH USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Hidden Stories of the Childhood of Jesus (Hidden Treasure) (Paperback)

Kimball explains the orgin of the Holy Bible in a clear, consise manner. It made me understand what many years of Sunday school classes never taught me. He has well documented research to support his information. And he translates some early documents to "fill in" gaps Jesus' childhood. If you have any interest in Christianity, you should read this book.

23 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you love children, I highly recommend it!, October 25, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Hidden Stories of the Childhood of Jesus (Hidden Treasure) (Paperback)

After hearing Mr. Kimball on the Art Bell Show, overflowing with more information than he could possibly get on the show, I rushed out to get the book. The format was good in that he wrote of the historical background then the very inspiring stories of Christ's childhood. With an open mind he said his purpose for the initial research was to prove (or not) the existance of God. I found his research a great asset to those who are willing to see, wanting to learn and able to feel the love for the truth. Thank-You!