ISBN: 1-4137-4613-6
Shawn Patrick Thornton's riveting book, In Defense of the Christ: Why Jesus would Disown Christianity, uses uncensored historical data available from the Gnostic Gospels, which were discovered in Egypt in late 1945, to reveal the Jesus that primitive Christians knew nearly 2000 years ago. Some of the Gnostic Gospels even predate the New Testament and on the whole they present a very different view of Christ than the New Testament.It is well known that the Catholic Church changed the New Testament writings many times, years after the New Testament was written. The Gnostic Gospels were hidden and thus escaped burning or editing by the early Church. Accordingly, they present a more reliable picture of what the early Christians really knew about Jesus.The book also demonstrates that God can be found without religion. That in fact certain religious doctrines can prevent finding God. In addition it illustrates, in detail, how the average person can realize the state of Nirvana and while having complete access to their humanity be forever free from human suffering and the fear of death ! See an example of this on the following website page.
In Defense of the Christ: Why Jesus would Disown Christianity was a finalist in the Best Books 2005 Contest and is currently under review at Columbia University for the Pulitzer Prize nonfiction award.
EXCERPTS FROM BOOK REVIEWS
With the current slew of fundamentalist Christian fiction filling the book market, it's a relief to find a book about Christ that doesn't rely on fire, brimstone...
Thornton, in clear lucid prose... explains the basic problems with the fundamentalist mindset, the experience of mystics... It's obvious that Thornton has done his research; ... It's also obvious that he's done some heavy thinking: ...
In Defense of the Christ manages to be a chilling indictment of the recent wave of fundamentalism because of its even, level, reasonable tone. The fact that Thornton never raises his voice to stinging invective only underscores the rabid frothing of fundamentalist literature.
All in all, this is the type of dedicated intellectual and spiritual effort the Founding Fathers would have approved of--and the appendices, with their passionate calls for tolerance and their kaleidoscopic range, are strangely satisfying ...
Thornton should be proud of himself. In Defense of the Christ is the book I wish I could put next to...every shelf of Faldwell hysterics and Purpose-Driven drivel. True spirituality requires more than the slavish following of the cult rhetoric of the day--it requires passion, thought, and independence, all three things Thornton's book possesses in abundance.
Lilith Saintcrow, Reviewer
eBook Reviews Weekly
Any theological dissertation must find a balance between criticism and understanding to be effective. Shawn P. Thornton has succeeded.
Without sympathy and understanding, it would be impossible to adequately explain why people believe what they do. Without a critical attitude, one would abandon the ability to probe and ask "why?" In other words, to exercise one's "Free Will."
Each chapter leads the reader, intelligently and knowledgably, step by step through the dissertation. The author has researched his subject well. The author describes his own personal spiritual journey towards Nirvana and the realization that man is "One" with God.
An in-depth look at organized religion from the point of view of a modern day mystic, this book offers some interesting questions. Seekers of "Spiritual Truth" will find the explanations and scientific/historical arguments fascinating. Recommended reading for anyone searching for answers with an open mind.
Reviewer: Shirley Roe, Allbooks Reviews.
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