Customer Reviews

Jesus Christ, Sun of God: Ancient Cosmology and Early Christian Symbolism

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!!!

I pick up this book regularly at easter time and re read some of the wisdom of proportion it contains. Selecting chapters and appendices to combine with my current projects and other reading material. Synthesis is the name of my game. This year I have synthesised ancient gematria and divine proportion into a sales seminar.
If you have ever wondered about the origins of christianity and its relationship with the cultures of the mediteranean at the time of its origination. This is the book with the answers.

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.

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, you'll get to see how gematria had a hand in creating early Christian works. A+++++

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 world religious thought over thousands of years. Whereas "The Jesus Mysteries" is a wonderful introductory book for people new to the concepts presented, this work provides in depth considerations more geared to a well educated and/or intellectual reader. I keep buying copies, as I keep giving this book to fascinated friends. It is a fabulous work of scholarship, presented in wonderful ways.