The Lost Sayings of Jesus: Teachings from Ancient Christian, Jewish, Gnostic, and Islamic Sources--Annotated & Explained (SkyLight Illuminations) [Paperback]

Andrew Phillip Smith (Author), Stephan A. Hoeller (Foreword)

Book Description

Series: SkyLight Illuminations | Publication Date: March 2006

The gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are not the only record we have of the words spoken by Jesus. Designed to challenge, enlighten and inspire, they are also quoted in a wide variety of other ancient sources--including the Qur'an, writings by early Christian church fathers, and fragments of lost gospels only recently discovered. Some of these sayings are familiar; many are surprising; all expand our conventional understanding of the scope and essence of Jesus's original teachings.

More than a "Christian" compilation, this collection of more than three hundred sayings reveals a Jesus whose words encapsulate spiritual truths that resonate across religious boundaries. From the encouraging "I am hope for the hopeless," to the wise and practical "Love those who hate you and you will not have an enemy," to the candid "Give no opportunity to the evil one," these pointed sayings not only reveal how Jesus was understood and portrayed across a wide variety of cultures long ago--they will also penetrate to your heart, challenge your assumptions, and energize your own spiritual quest.

Now you can experience the wisdom and power of Jesus's sayings even if you have no previous knowledge of these little-known texts.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"An invaluable contribution to historical Jesus research.... Insightful, even-handed and refreshingly succint ... an essential collection." -- Rev. Jeffrey J. Bütz, author of The Brother of Jesus and the Lost Teachings of Christianity

"Compelling and enlightening.... Allows us to hear the wisdom that was Jesus." -- Rabbi Rami Shapiro, author of The Sacred Art of Lovingkindness: Preparing to Practice

"Excellent ... an invaluable aid in our endeavor to hear [Jesus's] authentic voice." -- Ron Miller, author of The Hidden Gospel of Matthew: Annotated & Explained

"If the gospels represent the tip [of Jesus's sayings], Andrew Phillip Smith has provided the rest of the iceberg. Here is proof that [Jesus's] voice has never fallen silent." -- Robert M. Price, professor of scriptural studies, Johnnie Colemon Theological Seminary

"Marvelous.... Will provide spiritual seekers, committed Christians, and academic scholars [insight into] sayings attributed to Jesus that they may not know existed. A valuable sourcebook and significant contribution to the study of the history of Christian ideas." -- Stevan Davies, professor of religious studies, College Misericordia and author of The Gospel of Thomas: Annotated & Explained

About the Author

Andrew Phillip Smith has been investigating early Christianity and Gnosticism for over a decade, sharing the results of his research in presentations and writings. He is the author of The Gospel of Philip: Annotated and Explained (SkyLight Paths) and The Gospel of Thomas: A New Version Based on Its Inner Meaning.

Stephan A. Hoeller is professor emeritus of comparative religions at the College of Oriental Studies in Los Angeles. He is a frequent lecturer on Gnosticism and other spiritual traditions, and is the author of Gnosticism: New Light on the Ancient Tradition of Inner Knowing, and two other books on the relationship of Gnosticism to Jungian psychology.

Product Details

• Paperback: 204 pages
• Publisher: Skylight Paths Publishing; Annotated edition (March 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1594731721
• ISBN-13: 978-1594731723
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,163,279 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I was born in 1966 in Penarth, Wales, and attended the University College of Swansea. I now live with my wife Tessa and son Dylan in Dublin, Ireland, after long stints in the London area and the Sierra Nevada foothills of California. I am the author of several books and articles on Gnosticism, early Christianity and esoterica. My books include A Dictionary of Gnosticism, The Gnostics: History * Tradition * Scriptures * Influence, The Lost Sayings of Jesus: Annotated & Explained, Gnostic Writings on the Soul: Annotated & Explained, and The Gospel of Philip: Annotated & Explained. I'm also editor of The Gnostic: A Journal of Gnosticism, Western Esotericism and Spirituality. I wrote the forewords for New Nightingale, New Rose, Poems From the Divan of Hafiz, The Quatrains of Omar Khayyam: Three Translations of the Rubaiyat, and Don't Forget: P.D. Ouspensky's Life of Self-Remembering by Bob Hunter. I've been studying the Gospel of Thomas and the Fourth Way teachings since the late 1980s, and have given a number of presentations and readings on the Gnostics and other esoteric and poetical works.

Current projects include biographies of Alan Moore and Rodney Collin, and perhaps a second book on the Gospel of Thomas.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended reading for all students of the Abrahamic religions, June 3, 2006

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Lost Sayings of Jesus: Teachings from Ancient Christian, Jewish, Gnostic, and Islamic Sources--Annotated & Explained (SkyLight Illuminations) (Paperback)

The Lost Sayings Of Jesus: Teachings From Ancient Christian, Jewish, Gnostic, And Islamic Sources--annotated And Explained is expertly translated and annotated by Andrew Phillip Smith is a compendium of the timeless wisdom of Jesus of Nazareth drawn from sources that include not only the New Testament, but writings from many of the non-canonical ancient writers of the Apocrypha, early church fathers, the Qur'an, the Talmud, and other fragments of the Gnostic gospels recently discovered, restored and translated. The Lost Sayings Of Jesus offers readers an impressively organized body of annotated quotes and excerpts arranged in of five basic sections with the "sayings" on the right page and the commentaries on the left page: Christian Sayings, Jewish Sayings, Gnostic Sayings, Islamic Sayings, and two additional sections "Further Traditions, Fictions, And Forgeries", and "Suggestions for Further Reading". A core addition to personal, seminary, academic, and community library reference collections, The Lost Sayings Of Jesus is very highly recommended reading for all students of the Abrahamic religions offering as complete and engaging collection as is currently possible on the many teachings ascribed to Jesus of Nazareth, whom some called a prophet and others the Christ.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars No More Middle Man!, April 23, 2006

By 

Mary Mother "God's Servant" (Richmond Virginia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Lost Sayings of Jesus: Teachings from Ancient Christian, Jewish, Gnostic, and Islamic Sources--Annotated & Explained (SkyLight Illuminations) (Paperback)

Well researched and footnoted compilation of all the sayings of Jesus.Why not read the words that are attributed directly from Jesus and not from others interpretations?Readers are not only given the saying but an excellent description and source of the saying as well.No stone is left unturned and leaves the reader with God given inspiration and wisdom directly from Jesus himself.Highly recommended to those who want to reflect on the Word of God.

3 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Islam is a poor source, May 16, 2008

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Rayn "whistle blower" (North Carolina) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Lost Sayings of Jesus: Teachings from Ancient Christian, Jewish, Gnostic, and Islamic Sources--Annotated & Explained (SkyLight Illuminations) (Paperback)

I believe that the author's knowledge of Islam is greatly lacking, for his citing of Islam as a source for the sayings of Jesus supports my criticism of him.
The religion of Islam and its scripture contain nothing of any historical value. I know what I'm talking about, beause I have disected it to pieces and found nothing, even from the Quran, except crude plagiarism and tedious and ridiculous repetitions of historical accounts taken from the Bible and retold in twisted and distorted versions with full of errors. I know I have stepped on some toes, but the truth must be told.
The Lost Sayings of Jesus: Teachings from Ancient Christian, Jewish, Gnostic And Islamic Sources--Annotated & Explained (SkyLight Illuminations)