Customer Reviews

Jesus the Heretic: Freedom and Bondage in a Religious World

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Douglas Lockhart attempts to critically analyse the origin and development of "Christianity" from an objective viewpoint, and appears to shed light on some of the conumdrums which scholars have troubled over for many years. Don't expect an unthinking biased appraisal of Christianity, nor a conventional and mundane interpretation of the development of this complex sect of Judaism of the 1st century AD. I was impressed with the intergration and recognition of gnostic thought with early theology, as this has not been adequately recognised in the past. Also important was the emphasis on much within Christianity which has always been of a political nature, in addition to the normal failings of human beings to properly understand the nature of the truth, goodwill to others and whatever this sect of Judaism ever had that was any good, much of which has been changed and lost over time. The book comes closer to understanding the nature and purpose of Christianity than many others of its type.

"Jesus the Heretic" is very well researched, clearly written, entertaining and informative. Anyone in search of their Christian roots and the truth behind Christian origins, will find interesting answers and hypothesis within these pages. Whether we agree with Lockhart's conclusions or not, the fact is that along with many other Biblical authors such as Eisenman and Wise, Schonfield, Smith and Thiering, we are getting closer and closer to the truth. Highly recommended.

Douglas Lockhart goes way beyond the average with his scholarship and his easy to read in depth analysis of jesus and his contemporaries. The essential Jewishness of Jesus is emphasised, a fact the average Christian today fails to appreciate. I have made a study of Jesus and consulted many texts, yet found myself referring time and again back to this book. I highly recommend it to anyone who has questions about Jesus.

Author admits not being a christian, and though it comments on Jesus not being God, I see no value in the rest of the material. (No, Jesus is not lord God; he's lord Messiah)