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The Secret Doctrines of Jesus
Following years of extensive research and journeys to the Holy Land and Egypt, H. Spencer Lewis reveals the hidden doctrines of Jesus and what they mean. Part of the Rosicrucian Classic Series.
185 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1981
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
June 8, 2015
Long and tedious
As much as I enjoy books of this topic, reading this was akin to trying to swim through molasses. Very tedious - snippets of pearls interjected throughout the book, but you have to get through everything else in order to realize them.
As much as I enjoy books of this topic, reading this was akin to trying to swim through molasses. Very tedious - snippets of pearls interjected throughout the book, but you have to get through everything else in order to realize them.
May 9, 2022
Thought I was Convinced … Maybe Not
While the precursor to this book on which I reported previously (i.e. The Mystical Life of Jesus) seemed to be “...far more truthful than anything written by any other organization or individual,” so far, I’m not so sure that that is any longer the case. Or at least, I’m wary now. Too many proverbial ‘red flags’ (red herrings?) seemed to surface in this book.
How could things change so quickly?
Although what Lewis says regarding the Rosicrucians (AMORC) being the ‘inheritors’ of the true Jesus story, based on the extant documentation which AMORC claims to have retained, and while much of what Lewis says even seems to resonate, I still can’t help wondering WHY Jesus would secrete so much of the information – actually, the INSTRUCTIONS – required for ALL to attain liberation. Why is it just the Rosicrucians or one group who are the ‘chosen ones,’ while all others are marginalized, left out in the cold?
Sounds like what we have been expected to believe about the Jews being God’s one-and-only-chosen-people. Why would a loving God single out one group of humans, claiming that they – over and above all other human beings – were the Chosen? Reciting what the Bible says about this has not convinced me. There are far too many reasons why a truly loving God would not do what this so-called ‘god’ did.
Yes, I understand that the reasoning of the Rosicrucions is that only those who REALLY wanted to know these Truths would be allowed into the Inner Circle. But, truthfully, this sounds like elitism, the belief that one’s own path is the True Path, while that of all others leads to … hellfire and damnation.
And even though there seems to be quite a bit of first-time, eye-opening information in these books that is quite likely true (at least, it feels that way), I still question the motives behind this group.
As for the ‘Secret Doctrines’ – I’m not so sure there were really any ‘secret doctrines’ included in this book, mainly because the various AMORC books seem to be written as a way to entice individuals to join the organization – or at the least, submit an application which is not guaranteed to be approved – at which point (they are assured) they will learn the true secrets (as well as begin to pay dues), not to provide the public with truths of which they should have been apprised long ago.
However, to give AMORC its due: there were enough various enticements in the 3 books I’ve read so far (all penned by Lewis) to cause even me to want to initiate a more in-depth investigation into this organization and what it teaches and ‘knows.’
Lots of interesting information. Especially in regard to Jesus. But the jury is still out on this one. For me, anyway.
While the precursor to this book on which I reported previously (i.e. The Mystical Life of Jesus) seemed to be “...far more truthful than anything written by any other organization or individual,” so far, I’m not so sure that that is any longer the case. Or at least, I’m wary now. Too many proverbial ‘red flags’ (red herrings?) seemed to surface in this book.
How could things change so quickly?
Although what Lewis says regarding the Rosicrucians (AMORC) being the ‘inheritors’ of the true Jesus story, based on the extant documentation which AMORC claims to have retained, and while much of what Lewis says even seems to resonate, I still can’t help wondering WHY Jesus would secrete so much of the information – actually, the INSTRUCTIONS – required for ALL to attain liberation. Why is it just the Rosicrucians or one group who are the ‘chosen ones,’ while all others are marginalized, left out in the cold?
Sounds like what we have been expected to believe about the Jews being God’s one-and-only-chosen-people. Why would a loving God single out one group of humans, claiming that they – over and above all other human beings – were the Chosen? Reciting what the Bible says about this has not convinced me. There are far too many reasons why a truly loving God would not do what this so-called ‘god’ did.
Yes, I understand that the reasoning of the Rosicrucions is that only those who REALLY wanted to know these Truths would be allowed into the Inner Circle. But, truthfully, this sounds like elitism, the belief that one’s own path is the True Path, while that of all others leads to … hellfire and damnation.
And even though there seems to be quite a bit of first-time, eye-opening information in these books that is quite likely true (at least, it feels that way), I still question the motives behind this group.
As for the ‘Secret Doctrines’ – I’m not so sure there were really any ‘secret doctrines’ included in this book, mainly because the various AMORC books seem to be written as a way to entice individuals to join the organization – or at the least, submit an application which is not guaranteed to be approved – at which point (they are assured) they will learn the true secrets (as well as begin to pay dues), not to provide the public with truths of which they should have been apprised long ago.
However, to give AMORC its due: there were enough various enticements in the 3 books I’ve read so far (all penned by Lewis) to cause even me to want to initiate a more in-depth investigation into this organization and what it teaches and ‘knows.’
Lots of interesting information. Especially in regard to Jesus. But the jury is still out on this one. For me, anyway.
December 30, 2024
Even though it's a very short book, I've just not been able to continue with it, and I give up. I read The Mystical Life of Jesus and found it fascinating. The writing style was the same and, of course, a lot of secrecy about any sources. "They're hidden and secret, but we have them." Okay, fine. Whatever.
But this book didn't even do that. In this one, it was "we'll get to that later" and never did.
Life's too short and the TBR pile too tall!
But this book didn't even do that. In this one, it was "we'll get to that later" and never did.
Life's too short and the TBR pile too tall!
October 3, 2022
A interesting read
If you aren't open minded this book isn't for you. The book is really short. It only skims the surface of a topic that could be discussed at a longer length if the material the was available and a person was able to write the book. I think this book would be good for a personal study at the least.
If you aren't open minded this book isn't for you. The book is really short. It only skims the surface of a topic that could be discussed at a longer length if the material the was available and a person was able to write the book. I think this book would be good for a personal study at the least.
January 20, 2019
A good read
I found this to be a good short informative read, and enjoyed the way the information was presented. The book was perhaps a little vague though in regards.to explaining its title subject matter.
I found this to be a good short informative read, and enjoyed the way the information was presented. The book was perhaps a little vague though in regards.to explaining its title subject matter.
December 23, 2021
Light
Keep on asking, and it will be given YOU; keep on seeking, and YOU will find; keep on knocking, and it will be opened to YOU. 8 For everyone asking receives, and everyone seeking finds, and to everyone knocking it will be opened
Keep on asking, and it will be given YOU; keep on seeking, and YOU will find; keep on knocking, and it will be opened to YOU. 8 For everyone asking receives, and everyone seeking finds, and to everyone knocking it will be opened
July 17, 2022
One of the most amazing books I’ve read in a long time, and I’ve read lots of books. Because I’m highly interested in this topic, I was able to confirm certain things that I had doubts about.
July 30, 2009
Picked this up at a second hand book shop and was interested given that it was published by the Supreme Grand Lodge of AMORC and is part of the Rosicrucian Library. What was the seal on my purchase was that the original bookmark was still inside.
I have only just finished the book and I am still stewing over some of the theories (?) that raised regarding what and who Jesus taught.
What I did find interesting was that part of Jesus's moral code (according to the book) is that he did not teach or imply or even beleive that physical body of man was anything more than a mortal frame and unimportant to anything - especially the resurrection. Also that the soul of man if its origin and source was in the consciousness and mind of God, then the soul was not only immortal but beyond contamination, beyond sinfulness and thus beyond condemnation. This would mean that Jesus did not suffer on the cross the save the soul of man because there was no need. What Jesus was teaching people about was the inner self, the character and the personality within body that committed sins.
It is an interesting read and I will probably add more to the review once I have gone back and considered more of what is being implied.
After a bit of thinking there was one thing that did bother me about the bookwhich was that there was a lot of 'facts' told which were not supported by any evidence. There were quite afew of these 'facts' thrown around which either meant Lewis had at his fingertips sources not known to the entire academic world or they were made up.
I have only just finished the book and I am still stewing over some of the theories (?) that raised regarding what and who Jesus taught.
What I did find interesting was that part of Jesus's moral code (according to the book) is that he did not teach or imply or even beleive that physical body of man was anything more than a mortal frame and unimportant to anything - especially the resurrection. Also that the soul of man if its origin and source was in the consciousness and mind of God, then the soul was not only immortal but beyond contamination, beyond sinfulness and thus beyond condemnation. This would mean that Jesus did not suffer on the cross the save the soul of man because there was no need. What Jesus was teaching people about was the inner self, the character and the personality within body that committed sins.
It is an interesting read and I will probably add more to the review once I have gone back and considered more of what is being implied.
After a bit of thinking there was one thing that did bother me about the bookwhich was that there was a lot of 'facts' told which were not supported by any evidence. There were quite afew of these 'facts' thrown around which either meant Lewis had at his fingertips sources not known to the entire academic world or they were made up.
Want to read
August 12, 2008written by an Imperator of the Rosicrucian Order & published by the Supreme Grand Lodge of the Ancient & Mystical Order Rosæ Crucis, itself. can't wait to get to this baby.
December 23, 2008
another masterpiece from the trash bin of H Spencer Lewis
July 28, 2021
Lots of exposition without any content. Dramatic and incendiary concepts without any source or means to be verified. Overall unimpressive.
July 14, 2019
Rien de vraiment nouveau dans cette affaire. Franchement je dis non !
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews