The early Christian Gnosis did not spring up in isolation, but drew upon earlier sources. In this book, many of these sources are revealed for the first time. Special emphasis is placed on the Hellenistic doctrine of the "Solar Logos" and the early Christian symbolism which depicted Christ as the Spiritual Sun, the illumination source of order, harmony, and spiritual insight. Based on 15 years of research, this is a unique book which throws a penetrating light on the secret traditions of early Christianity. It clearly demonstrates that number is at the heart of being. Jesus Christ, Sun of God, illustrates how the Christian symbolism of the Spiritual Sun is derived from numerical symbolism of the "ancient divinities."
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
78 of 81 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
It has become plainly obvious from the Christian commentary above that they do not like "secular scholars" revealing that Christian philosophy and theology is mostly built on Pagan ideas. The fact is that the above reviewers obviously missed the point of this book.
Fideler spends the first half of the book demonstrating that there is a deeply evolved amount of symbolism in the texts of the N.T. that started 500 years (give or take) before Christ's time (and likely farther back than that). Symbolism that is communicated in numerical metaphors, imagery, harmonics and in poetry and myth that express higher (ineffable?) concepts. With a fuller understanding of Logos, we understand why the "Word" is an inadequate translation and reinforces Plato's own observations on the problem with language. With Clement's symbols of the Dove and the New Song we see how old concepts such as Gematria became "modernized" under the Hellenistic church fathers - expressing new ideas in an ancient way.
One could take many things away from this book: a new appreciation for those Pagan philosophers the Catholic Church is not fond of, an appreciation for the similarities between scientific and mystical thought, or an understanding of the problems associated in literal interpretation of religious works. Fideler covers many things in this book - the only fault I find was that it wasn't twice as long!
52 of 54 people found the following review helpful
By Corey Wicks
Format:Paperback
I cannot stop recommending this book to those who are truly interested in the origins of Christianity. David Fideler's book provides solid proof that Christianity is as much of a Greek religion as it is a Hebrew religion. Rather than the common view that Christianity was pure and Hermetically sealed from outside "pagan" influences, exactly the opposite turns out to be true: that Christianity was pagan from the very beginning, that Christianity was a retelling of "pagan" Mystery Teachings, such as the doctrine of the Logos, as taught by Heraclitis, Plato, and others. This is one of those rare books that is so condensed with useful information that every page seems to make you say, "Wow!" And the content has such a depth that the more times you read through the book, the more you get out of it.
Hopefully this book will inspire more study along these lines, and certainly Fideler's book should be considered a classic amongst its field. I wish more people in mainstream Christianity had an open enough mind to allow themselves to read such books.
39 of 41 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
David Fideler is an excellent and able scholar of early Christian history, symbolism, and epistemology. This work is a treasure trove of mathmatical and geometrical information, as it links the 'New Song" of the New Testament with the timeless harmony of Orphic, Platonic, Pythagorean, and Kabbalistic number theory. While those thoroughly enmeshed in the 'only Christians have the truth through Christ our Lord Amen' paradigm will no doubt be horrified to read this text, we urge all Christians, Gnostics, Mystics, and people of learning and goodwill to give it the attention and praise it demands. On a less positive note, one could have hoped that David would have brought the practical point of all his knowledge out. Perhaps he himself does not perceive farther than the psychological and academic-paradigm-busting aspect--which is, in itself, enough of a recommendation. Be that as it may, this is not a book to miss.
32 of 34 people found the following review helpful
By Casca
Format:Paperback
Science overlooks the fact that there is a non-material harmony behind visible reality.The pre-Christian world knew of this harmony.This book shows for the first time in the modern era how the ancient understanding of the Logos underlies the names and attributes of Apollo and Hermes, the Greek god of music, harmony and geometry.This mathematical symbolism originated in the Pythagorean and Orphic schools, which maintained that the nature of the gods- or the first principles of creation- is defined by Number.Fideler shows how Number and celestial archetypes, derived from these earlier sources,are used in Christianity.For example, the number of "Jesus" is 888, which signifies the Spiritual Sun.888 also equals Olen, the founder of Apollo's oracle.It is also the string ratio of the Pythagorean whole tone.This book throws new light on the origins and symbolism of Christianity.It is also a mine of information on sacred geometry and principles of cosmic harmony.It is a fascinating book that bridges the gap between religion and science.
26 of 29 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Good first book on the Pagan-Christian connection by an interested a-religionist. A solid general introduction to the pagan sources of Christian ideas, followed by a detailed analysis of ancient Pagan-Christian numerology. Highly recommended.
18 of 19 people found the following review helpful
By S. Skinner
Format:Paperback
This is a great book. The author does a great job of showing how religions (specifically christianity)don't just pop into existence. He shows how christianity was so successful because of its similiarities to other religious systems. As a christian I really enjoyed the book. It really opened my eyes and helps me to better understand my religion and the Bible. A great buy. Highly reccomended!!!
11 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By S.J.
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
David Fideler, PhD, has written a seminal work on ancient understandings of the cosmos and early Christian symbolism. Delving into sacred geometry, astronomy, and gematria, he explores the ancient world with meticulous scholarship and groundbreaking research and ideas. Replete with extensive diagrams and clear explanations, even for the lay person, this book is a must read for anyone interested in what really was indicated by many myths and parables of antiquity.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Mind blowing
i foudn this book in a thrift store . i noticed it was a quest book so it has to be good . i was nto let down. Read more
Published 13 months ago by peter
5.0 out of 5 stars
Superlative Explanation of Cultural & Mythic Influences Upon Early...
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The material was very well presented. I found myself alternating between making margin notes, jumping up to look up references in other books,... Read more
Published 21 months ago by Erik Weaver
5.0 out of 5 stars
Illuminating
I agree with most of what the reviewers have already said. I would add that the book not only reveals Christianity to be as much connected to Greek religion as it is to Judaism,... Read more
Published on January 11, 2011 by Nyasha
4.0 out of 5 stars
Plagarism? Or just "long lost" edits and reflections of the same...
One reviewer wrote:
"I cannot stop recommending this book to those who are truly interested in the origins of Christianity. Read more
"I cannot stop recommending this book to those who are truly interested in the origins of Christianity. Read more
Published on November 24, 2010 by GraciousLove
3.0 out of 5 stars
Helpful
This book was helpful in understanding how the Gentiles in the first century perceived things which helps understand what the apostle Paul was dealing with. Read more
Published on April 22, 2009 by Anthony Fagerness
1.0 out of 5 stars
I used to get angry but now I'm only amused
Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. Read more
Published on April 11, 2009 by Hey Man Jesus Saves
5.0 out of 5 stars
Jesus IS the sun of god
This is one of the best religious/philosophical books I've ever read. Seriously. Read it. It will change the way you think of spirituality and for those fans of the ancient Greeks,... Read more
Published on November 15, 2007 by Ian Pollak
5.0 out of 5 stars
It isn't called Jesus Christ SUN of God for nothing!
This is an eminently readable, well researched piece of work that I would recommend to anyone interested in the "hidden" origins of Christianity. Read more
Published on August 23, 2007 by Gary V. Tenuta
5.0 out of 5 stars
An Intelligent Response to Fundamentalist Evangelical Christians
This book is a a treasure to anyone interested in Comparative Mythology/Religion. Like "The Jesus Mysteries", it presents historical facts that relate to the shared metaphors of... Read more
Published on May 10, 2007 by S. E. Evans
5.0 out of 5 stars
An astonishing book - recommended
I pick up this book regularly at easter time and re read some of the wisdom of proportion it contains. Read more
Published on March 28, 2005 by Dennis Barker
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