Lost Christianity: A Journey of Rediscovery to the Center of Christian Experience (Element Classic) (Paperback)

by Jacob Needleman (Author) "The impulse to write this book first arose a number of years ago when I was interviewing Christian and Jewish clergymen about the challenge of..." (more)
Key Phrases: intermediate principle, holy desire, spiritual psychology, Father Sylvan, Metropolitan Anthony, Father Vincent (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Renowned scholar of comparative religion Jacob Needleman gathers together ancient texts and writings of the modern practitioners of essential Christianity. Needleman demonstrates that a more effective contemplative tradition existed in the early church and continues today in the lives of extraordinary people whose stories he retells in the course of his own personal explorations into the realms of the spirit. 2 cassettes. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Element Books (September 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1852301325
• ISBN-13: 978-1852301323
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #897,134 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Warm and intelligent. Great intro to the "Royal Way"., January 27, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Lost Christianity: A Journey of Rediscovery (Audio Cassette)

St. Benedict is to have said: "Always, we begin again". The older I get, the more I know this to be true..especially in light of the urgency I feel for that Truth within Christianity that I know to exist- but how often it eludes me! Prof. Needleman lead me through his own search for possibility. "Occult Christianity", "New Religions", the emptiness of philosophy without a change of Heart,..read and know you DON'T have to look to an Eastern religion for that Kingdom of Heaven within. (I also recommend Robin Amis' "A Different Christianity")

34 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant Book! Changed my thinking on Christianity, March 9, 2004

By	Frederick II of Hohenstaufen "mr_js" (right here) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lost Christianity (Paperback)

This book is a must read for people of any faith (or no faith, for that matter). Having read other books by this author, and having learned much from them, I decided to give it a read. Granted, there was some skepticism ("Another book on 'lost' Christianity?"). These reservations ceased within a few pages. This book changed everything I've ever thought about the Christian faith (and I've read many of the "classics" on Christian esotericism).

Jacob Needleman presents this book in two parts: part one, entitled "Three Christians" is devoted to examining the ideas of an Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and one other Christian. Part two is "The Lost Doctrine of the Soul" and covers many diverse areas of "intermediate Christianity".

There are not many books which have moved and led me to re-think everything I thought I "knew" about Christianity as this one by Jacob Needleman. Very highly recommended!

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Possibly the single most provocative book on Christianity that I've yet read, April 28, 2006

By	Jason Mierek "uniqueness is ubiquitous" (Urbana, IL) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Lost Christianity (Paperback)

I must agree with a previous reviewer who claimed that this book challenges the reader to re-think almost everything they understand about "lost" Christianity. Needleman does not present another work on Gnosticism, Christian contemplation, esoteric teachings, or hidden gospels; instead he indicates that a change of heart (an almost ontological change, and not merely one in thought and emotion) is necessary for even the most rudimentary Christian teachings to take root and become REAL in a person's lived experience.

Professor Needleman's writing is superb, with insightful (DEEPLY insightful) comments abounding (in some places, I flagged one or two sentences per paragraph, which is rare). The only "drawback" is that it is up to the reader to find the spiritual guidance necessary to maintain the Question, to develop the unity of purpose needed to realize the Christian gospel (or any other wisdom teachings, for that matter). At least I have a clearer notion of what I am seeking and of what I need to make my Buddhist and Christian spiritual practices REAL.

I am definitely going to reread this book. Highly, highly recommended.