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Jesus and the Lost Goddess: The Secret Teachings of the Original Christians
Why Were the Teachings of the Original Christians Brutally Suppressed by the Roman Church?
• Because they portray Jesus and Mary Magdalene as mythic figures based on the Pagan Godman and Goddess
• Because they show that the gospel story is a spiritual allegory encapsulating a profound philosophy that leads to mythical enlightenment
• Because they have the power to turn the world inside out and transform life into an exploration of consciousness
Drawing on modern scholarship, the authors of the international bestseller The Jesus Mysteries decode the secret teachings of the original Christians for the first time in almost two millennia and theorize about who the original Christians really were and what they actually taught. In addition, the book explores the many myths of Jesus and the Goddess and unlocks the lost secret teachings of Christian mysticism, which promise happiness and immortality to those who attain the state of Gnosis, or enlightenment. This daring and controversial book recovers the ancient wisdom of the original Christians and demonstrates its relevance to us today.
• Because they portray Jesus and Mary Magdalene as mythic figures based on the Pagan Godman and Goddess
• Because they show that the gospel story is a spiritual allegory encapsulating a profound philosophy that leads to mythical enlightenment
• Because they have the power to turn the world inside out and transform life into an exploration of consciousness
Drawing on modern scholarship, the authors of the international bestseller The Jesus Mysteries decode the secret teachings of the original Christians for the first time in almost two millennia and theorize about who the original Christians really were and what they actually taught. In addition, the book explores the many myths of Jesus and the Goddess and unlocks the lost secret teachings of Christian mysticism, which promise happiness and immortality to those who attain the state of Gnosis, or enlightenment. This daring and controversial book recovers the ancient wisdom of the original Christians and demonstrates its relevance to us today.
336 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
712 people are currently reading
1754 people want to read
About the author
Tim Freke
58 books140 followersTimothy Freke has an honors degree in philosophy and is the author of more than twenty books on world spirituality. He lectures and runs experiential seminars throughout the world exploring gnosis. For information, see timothyfreke.com. Both Freke and Gandy live in England and are the authors of five previous books, including The Jesus Mysteries and Jesus and the Lost Goddess.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
January 26, 2011
I picked this book up on a whim at Half-Price Books. I didn't really know what I was getting into, but it ended up being a really great read.
I thought it might be an interesting perspective on feminism in early Christianity, but within the first few chapters the author lays this bomb that was the foundation for the rest of the book...Jesus was never a real person. The gospels are part of a Christian myth cycle that is a strange union of ancient Pagan mythology and Jewish mystic traditions. These Jesus myths are constructed to convey the knowledge we need to attain Gnosis...oh great, I got a Gnostic book. I figured the rest of the book would probably be full of more crazy ideas about aeons and archons and blah, blah, blah. I almost put the book down.
No. I read a quote from Aristotle that day that changed my mind,"It is the mark of the enlightened man to be able to entertain an idea without believing it or rejecting it." I thought that it might be best to finish the book even though I thought the first few chapters were a bit whacky. I'm glad I did.
This account of Gnosticism is unlike any other I've read. It actually explains and gives substance to what sound on the surface like crazy ideas. They're actually quite well-developed and rational. They explain that the Gnostic myths that usually turn people off (because they sound so foriegn) are actually just that, myths, meant to convey a deeper truth about the nature of God and the universe...God is the universe, the universe (and by extension ourselves) are God. They beleive that we are physical manifestations of the One consciousness of God. An interesting concept to be sure, and one that requires more thought than a simple dismissal because it comes from a fringe group.
The thing that kept on bugging me was their talk of Jesus as a mythical person, like Hercules or Odysseus. I've always assumed that he was a real flesh and blood person and all my other assumptions about Christianity hinge upon this one other assumption. Unfortunately there is no way of knowing for sure if Jesus ever lived, but I did try to get a better idea from a more knowledgeable source. I contacted Bart D Erhman, biblical scholar, professor, and author of dozens of books on the history of the Bible. I asked him "What do our earliest and best sources tell us about 1st century Christian understandings of Jesus...did they think he was a real person?" To my surprise he responded within hours. He assured me that our earliest sources indicate that Christians from the begining had understood Jesus to have been a person, that his relationship to divinity was debated, but his physical presence was not. He explained that the Gnostic belief in Jesus as being purely mythical was not around until the 2nd century. Not that antiquity is the bedrock of truth, but it certainly adds something to the equation.
What did I take away from this book? This book challenged my assumptions and actually raised more questions than it answered. It made me want to redouble my efforts to learn all I can about this topic and it offered a completely different perspective of God and God's relationship to creation. No small feat for an author to accomplish in a few hundred pages. I ordered the prequel to this work, another book by the same authors called "The Jesus Mysteries", to add to my stack. I'm not sold on their perspective, but I'm interested to hear what they have to say...it is, at the very least, provokative.
I thought it might be an interesting perspective on feminism in early Christianity, but within the first few chapters the author lays this bomb that was the foundation for the rest of the book...Jesus was never a real person. The gospels are part of a Christian myth cycle that is a strange union of ancient Pagan mythology and Jewish mystic traditions. These Jesus myths are constructed to convey the knowledge we need to attain Gnosis...oh great, I got a Gnostic book. I figured the rest of the book would probably be full of more crazy ideas about aeons and archons and blah, blah, blah. I almost put the book down.
No. I read a quote from Aristotle that day that changed my mind,"It is the mark of the enlightened man to be able to entertain an idea without believing it or rejecting it." I thought that it might be best to finish the book even though I thought the first few chapters were a bit whacky. I'm glad I did.
This account of Gnosticism is unlike any other I've read. It actually explains and gives substance to what sound on the surface like crazy ideas. They're actually quite well-developed and rational. They explain that the Gnostic myths that usually turn people off (because they sound so foriegn) are actually just that, myths, meant to convey a deeper truth about the nature of God and the universe...God is the universe, the universe (and by extension ourselves) are God. They beleive that we are physical manifestations of the One consciousness of God. An interesting concept to be sure, and one that requires more thought than a simple dismissal because it comes from a fringe group.
The thing that kept on bugging me was their talk of Jesus as a mythical person, like Hercules or Odysseus. I've always assumed that he was a real flesh and blood person and all my other assumptions about Christianity hinge upon this one other assumption. Unfortunately there is no way of knowing for sure if Jesus ever lived, but I did try to get a better idea from a more knowledgeable source. I contacted Bart D Erhman, biblical scholar, professor, and author of dozens of books on the history of the Bible. I asked him "What do our earliest and best sources tell us about 1st century Christian understandings of Jesus...did they think he was a real person?" To my surprise he responded within hours. He assured me that our earliest sources indicate that Christians from the begining had understood Jesus to have been a person, that his relationship to divinity was debated, but his physical presence was not. He explained that the Gnostic belief in Jesus as being purely mythical was not around until the 2nd century. Not that antiquity is the bedrock of truth, but it certainly adds something to the equation.
What did I take away from this book? This book challenged my assumptions and actually raised more questions than it answered. It made me want to redouble my efforts to learn all I can about this topic and it offered a completely different perspective of God and God's relationship to creation. No small feat for an author to accomplish in a few hundred pages. I ordered the prequel to this work, another book by the same authors called "The Jesus Mysteries", to add to my stack. I'm not sold on their perspective, but I'm interested to hear what they have to say...it is, at the very least, provokative.
August 27, 2015
It's never good when a book makes you mumble out loud, "This is bullsh*t". The authors try to make the case that the Jesus story was inspired by pagan myths and influenced by gnostics. Are there similarities between the gnostic beliefs and the New Testament? Sure, just like any religions in the world have similarities, or stem from the same root. But the similarities are few and far between. It felt like the authors were trying to force their conclusions to prove the links, but the conclusions are flawed and the sources (I did look them up) are only vaguely hinting at what the authors are trying to convey. You might as well try to draw links between the Sleeping Beauty fairytale (or even better, Shrek - it also has a donkey!) and pagan myths, you can find the links if you really try. I'm not Christian, but I've spent years researching Jesus and the New Testament, and basing your theory on the forged books written 50-400 years after Jesus died won't cut it.
The star rating for this book is for the in depth exploration of gnosticism, which is interesting and valid. I understand you have to add Jesus to the title to sell books, but it just doesn't work as a theory.
The star rating for this book is for the in depth exploration of gnosticism, which is interesting and valid. I understand you have to add Jesus to the title to sell books, but it just doesn't work as a theory.
April 4, 2015
This book needs to decide what it wants to be when he grows up. The title suggests that it is about the loss of the sacred feminine to Christianity, however, it is a retracing of Christianity taking Greek and other Pagan ideas and incorporating it into its practice. Well no kidding. Nothing new here and rather disjointed.
October 16, 2022
Read this several years ago. Horrible pseudo-academic hogwash. Philosophically combination of gnostic heresy and liberal Christianity, with plenty of false history mixed in. Don't waste your time. Grab an academically sound book instead.
September 30, 2007
What can I say about this book that won't be considered self incriminating by conservative Christians? Basically, this book brings back the Philosophical perceptions that I have for stories that I think is needed to evaluate truth, not only in Christianity, but in all religions. There is even an appendix on Gnostic Islam.
Wow, I won't try to summarize this book. An individual really needs to read this for themselves. From my view, it changed my outlook on life for the better. This is no small task, because I tend to focus on the negative. This book hasn't exactly made me perceive the world through rose colored glasses, but it did make me perceive reality with more clarity.
This book is not for everyone. The topics are very nebulous. It's not a math book. It is a book based on reason, and the interpretations that can be applied to organized "Literalist" religion.
If you're looking for a book that discusses Consciousness/Spirit and the Soul/Psyche, because you aren't happy with the exposure you had with the religions of our day, then this book is for you.
There are other Gnostic books that I will need to review, to verify what I've read. But Timothy Freke has a PhD in Psychology, and his analysis Spoke to me. A lot of religions say that belief is based on a feeling. That having been said, this book just Felt right. Some people will pick it up, and feel it. Others won't. For those who don't feel it, I'm sure you're path will lead you truth in a different way.
Shalom. Namaste.
Wow, I won't try to summarize this book. An individual really needs to read this for themselves. From my view, it changed my outlook on life for the better. This is no small task, because I tend to focus on the negative. This book hasn't exactly made me perceive the world through rose colored glasses, but it did make me perceive reality with more clarity.
This book is not for everyone. The topics are very nebulous. It's not a math book. It is a book based on reason, and the interpretations that can be applied to organized "Literalist" religion.
If you're looking for a book that discusses Consciousness/Spirit and the Soul/Psyche, because you aren't happy with the exposure you had with the religions of our day, then this book is for you.
There are other Gnostic books that I will need to review, to verify what I've read. But Timothy Freke has a PhD in Psychology, and his analysis Spoke to me. A lot of religions say that belief is based on a feeling. That having been said, this book just Felt right. Some people will pick it up, and feel it. Others won't. For those who don't feel it, I'm sure you're path will lead you truth in a different way.
Shalom. Namaste.
July 12, 2013
This book, along with The Jesus Mysteries and The Book of One are the three books that changed my entire worldview. So profound and thought provoking. My sense of self and my sense of Self is forever changed and I'm so glad of it! The Jesus Mysteries is like the true history of Christianity and Jesus and the Lost Goddess is like the true meaning of Christianity. I'm not a Christian (except by name) but this is a Christianity I could believe in.
January 23, 2016
The message of the book is interesting, but the way it says it comes up short. Essentially, the book suggests that original Christianity was a gnostic religion. Gnostic is defined as 'experiential knowledge of truth', which sounded like a very Buddhist concept to me when I heard it. A chapter later, the authors confirmed my suspicion when they pointed out that a gnostic component runs through all the major world religions. Whereas Buddhism or Hinduism have largely maintained their gnostic focus, modern Christianity and Islam have shifted towards a literalist reading of their doctrine.
One goal of this book was to explain how the shift from gnostic to literalist religion occurred in Christianity. The background and historical context gave their premise a solid foundation, and overall I found this section quite interesting. Where the book started to struggle was when the authors began to break down the components of what gnostic Christianity actually was (beliefs, etc). The authors state in their final chapter, "We have not written a dispassionate survey of a quirky period in the history of ideas." The trouble for me was that they had a hard time striking the right balance between academic rigor and religious zeal. By their own admission, the concepts of Gnostics many centuries ago are not very accessible to modern ears. The academic side of the authors collected the ideas like an anthropological survey, but their spiritual side presented them in a kind of half-hearted sermon. The result was a delivery that often felt confused. "All facts without the flavor" as the saying goes.
At the very least, the book is great food for thought to challenge what we "know" to be true about Christianity. But if one wants a better sense of Gnostic ideas, in my opinion they would do better to listen to the words of a Buddhist or Hindu teacher, someone who is living their spirituality - not conducting an academic study of it.
One goal of this book was to explain how the shift from gnostic to literalist religion occurred in Christianity. The background and historical context gave their premise a solid foundation, and overall I found this section quite interesting. Where the book started to struggle was when the authors began to break down the components of what gnostic Christianity actually was (beliefs, etc). The authors state in their final chapter, "We have not written a dispassionate survey of a quirky period in the history of ideas." The trouble for me was that they had a hard time striking the right balance between academic rigor and religious zeal. By their own admission, the concepts of Gnostics many centuries ago are not very accessible to modern ears. The academic side of the authors collected the ideas like an anthropological survey, but their spiritual side presented them in a kind of half-hearted sermon. The result was a delivery that often felt confused. "All facts without the flavor" as the saying goes.
At the very least, the book is great food for thought to challenge what we "know" to be true about Christianity. But if one wants a better sense of Gnostic ideas, in my opinion they would do better to listen to the words of a Buddhist or Hindu teacher, someone who is living their spirituality - not conducting an academic study of it.
July 12, 2024
Connected a lot of dots for me around Jungian concepts, mythology (Joseph Campbell) and mysticism.
May 6, 2018
The book starts out with saying there was no such person as Jesus. No one can prove scientifically that he did exist. All we have are various religious and non-religious writings which talk about him. A couple of these include Flavius Josephus, who wrote a history of Judaism around AD93, has two references to Jesus, one of them a reference to James, the brother of 'Jesus, the so-called Christ'.Tacitus in his writings of 116 or 117 C.E. mentions Jesus. There is disagreement over just whether or not he was holy but most writers say that at least there was such a person. Wikipedia says 'Virtually all scholars who write on the subject agree that Jesus existed.' Tacitus in his writings of 116 or 117 C.E. mentions Jesus. There is disagreement over just whether or not he was holy but most writers say that at least there was such a person.
The difficulty is that all this happened over two thousand years ago so actual physical proof that is specific to Jesus doesn't exist. I think the authors are trying to get across the idea that Jesus was invented by later writers.
They discuss the original Christians saying that men and women were considered equal. Here is where I have another problem with the writers. If there was no such person as Jesus then why were there 'early Christians?' Did some guys invent a myth and convince enough people that the myth was true in order to build an anti-Roman religious movement? Occam's razor applies here. This holds that, if there are two explanations for something, the simpler one is usually the correct one. So which is simpler; a man named Jesus existed (whether or not he was the 'son of God' is not important in this argument, just that a physical person existed) or was everything about him constructed by some guys who had their own reasons? That Jesus actually physically existed is the simpler solution.
The book talks a great deal about Gnosticism, Consciousness, the Logos and numerous other topics.
There is also a 'Cast List,' a bibliography and a list of related websites.
I have two problems with the book. First is there saying that there was no such person as Jesus. I think that they are wrong. Just exactly what he was is debatable, of course, but I think the preponderance of evidence is that he did exist.
The second, major, problem is how the book is written. It is massively boring. Really most sincerely boring. It is so academic that there is nothing there to really grab the interest of the reader and hold it. I had to struggle to get through it and I've studied Gnosticism and related topics for years. Very disappointing.
The difficulty is that all this happened over two thousand years ago so actual physical proof that is specific to Jesus doesn't exist. I think the authors are trying to get across the idea that Jesus was invented by later writers.
They discuss the original Christians saying that men and women were considered equal. Here is where I have another problem with the writers. If there was no such person as Jesus then why were there 'early Christians?' Did some guys invent a myth and convince enough people that the myth was true in order to build an anti-Roman religious movement? Occam's razor applies here. This holds that, if there are two explanations for something, the simpler one is usually the correct one. So which is simpler; a man named Jesus existed (whether or not he was the 'son of God' is not important in this argument, just that a physical person existed) or was everything about him constructed by some guys who had their own reasons? That Jesus actually physically existed is the simpler solution.
The book talks a great deal about Gnosticism, Consciousness, the Logos and numerous other topics.
There is also a 'Cast List,' a bibliography and a list of related websites.
I have two problems with the book. First is there saying that there was no such person as Jesus. I think that they are wrong. Just exactly what he was is debatable, of course, but I think the preponderance of evidence is that he did exist.
The second, major, problem is how the book is written. It is massively boring. Really most sincerely boring. It is so academic that there is nothing there to really grab the interest of the reader and hold it. I had to struggle to get through it and I've studied Gnosticism and related topics for years. Very disappointing.
May 26, 2021
This book is so terrible and flimsy. It's laughable at best. These authors claim that half of Paul's letters are fake, and then quote the ones they call fake to support their own ideas!!! Ha. Also, regardless of your religion or spirituality, you can't possibly be taken seriously when you pawn yourself off as a researcher and then claim there is no evidence of a man named Jesus ever actually existing. There's LOADS of undisputed evidence. Just because you don't believe he's the Son of God doesn't mean he didn't live.
I went into this book thinking that it would be a research into the Divine Feminine as regards to Christianity, perhaps Sophia as Holy Spirit or something of that nature. What it actually is turns out to be 200ish pages of name calling the Christians who believe Christ to be a real person while describing Valentinian Gnosticism as being the truth.
If you call yourself Christian and believe you are Christ... that people are continually reincarnated until they get the idea that they are really God... that Christians totally ripped off Egyptian and Greek mythology when they "created" Jesus... well, then, this is your Bible. Just don't read any other scholarly work on Jesus. Cause you'll be disappointed, just like when you read the Holy Bible.
I went into this book thinking that it would be a research into the Divine Feminine as regards to Christianity, perhaps Sophia as Holy Spirit or something of that nature. What it actually is turns out to be 200ish pages of name calling the Christians who believe Christ to be a real person while describing Valentinian Gnosticism as being the truth.
If you call yourself Christian and believe you are Christ... that people are continually reincarnated until they get the idea that they are really God... that Christians totally ripped off Egyptian and Greek mythology when they "created" Jesus... well, then, this is your Bible. Just don't read any other scholarly work on Jesus. Cause you'll be disappointed, just like when you read the Holy Bible.
April 2, 2023
What the heck did I just read? Aside from being a fascinating premise, there is almost no scholarship involved in this book. From the very start it was clear that the authors were as committed to truth as much as Graham Hancock is on his rant of Atlantis. While it is clear that the life of the man Jesus was morphed into a god-man religion, it is also an accepted fact that he really did live. His teachings were simple and historians are almost certain he died in the same way described- death on a Roman cross.
I can appreciate wanting to get a different perspective and possibly even uncover a truly lost teaching of early Christians. The problem here is that basing your claims on coincidence and supposition are no replacement for scholarship, research, and logic. Highly entertaining but alas, devoid of all merit.
I can appreciate wanting to get a different perspective and possibly even uncover a truly lost teaching of early Christians. The problem here is that basing your claims on coincidence and supposition are no replacement for scholarship, research, and logic. Highly entertaining but alas, devoid of all merit.
May 28, 2025
This book is an absolute masterpiece. By far the best elucidation of gnostic teachings I've come across, it uses the full range of Biblical apocrypha to flesh out a much more compelling Christ mythos than the four canon gospels would have us understand. What's more, it's eminently quotable and eloquent, full of the kind of wisdom that makes readers pause and reflect but without sounding sanctimonious. Early Christians were definitely way cooler than I had previously believed, and capable of distinguishing between allegory and historical fact (the former puts the Jesus myth firmly in context). Highly recommended for anyone curious about gnosticism and comparative religion. Definitely a tradition worth reviving.
March 30, 2007
I've read part two before reading part one (the Jesus Mysteries) however, understand that the two books aim to put the Jesus story in the context of ancient (western) philosophy and the psychology of (western) mythologists without undermining the ultimate message of chritianity this book.
JATG stands on its own, and basically sets to prove the gnostic belief - if Jesus shows the way, the female principle (Magdalene) is the path.
The authors seem a bit defensive which isn't necessay for the audience this book will draw.
JATG stands on its own, and basically sets to prove the gnostic belief - if Jesus shows the way, the female principle (Magdalene) is the path.
The authors seem a bit defensive which isn't necessay for the audience this book will draw.
July 22, 2008
This one is a thought provoking. I read the gospel of the second coming first then went back to read the background research. Much of the information resonates for me. Many of the contradictory dogma that current Christianity teaches is explained here. I have a pencil with me when I read, for making comments in the margins. : ) A definite read for those who are disillusioned with the current Christian dogma.
April 16, 2009
Well, this book basically changed my religious beliefs, so it's certainly powerful. I hadn't read a book extrapolating the Gnostic gospels before, so I can't give the book itself all the credit. Also, some of the passages are slow-going, and it's definitely one you want to annotate. But ultimately a very satisfying and well-researched interpretation of ancient texts, and full of spiritual wisdom. It confirmed and fleshed-out a lot of my spiritual inklings, and gave them a historical basis.
April 26, 2009
Though I certainly don't know if I agree 100% with what he states about who god is and what true spirituality is, what he says about the "Bible" and where it came from and why it was written, absolutely resonates as truth to me. It just makes so much sense. So, much more sense the than the confusion that I get from people trying to explain the "literalness" of the stories of the "Bible."
July 2, 2010
I gave them two stars for the research that went into the book. I would have given them much higher because it was well organized and written but they left no room whatsoever for the possibility that Jesus was an actual person as if they had proven it when, in fact, they did not. With the exception of that, the history was fascinating.
March 29, 2021
3.5, This certainly was something to wade through and ponder. There are some valid hypothesizing points but I think I would need to go back and read their first book to fully understand their viewpoint. Definitely well researched.
April 22, 2023
I'm reading this in 2023. I've read a number of books on Gnosticism, New Age spirituality, "original" Christianity, Atlantology, and similar books of alternative western spirituality.
Scholars have universally criticized the work of Tim Freke. This includes Ehrman (atheist) and Carrier (who believes Jesus didn't exist).
This book was part of the Gnostic craze at the time. I'm assuming these books are for "ex-Christians" who abandoned the mainstream churches, but don't want to abandon the whole idea of Jesus, so Freke is giving them some kind of individualized variety of "religion" rather than historic Christianity. Freke has now moved on from "Gnosticism" to now focusing on his opinions and feelings about dual vs non-dual spirituality and "awakening" and "evolution" which sounds a lot like typical New Age stuff I've been hearing for years. I have no interest in any of this, as it seems lost in the clouds.
People need to accept both historic Christianity and what scholars are saying. It's never a good idea to distort the past and to put your head in the sand. You can't ignore someone like Ehrman, although ultimately he isn't telling you what to think or feel. He's just telling you about the historic documents. So for example, it's impossible for anyone today to believe that The Bible is in inerrant word of God, since it's full of forgeries & inconsistencies. Ex-Christians would be much better off to read scholarly works by academic publishers. This won't tell you how to think or how to live your life, but it will tell you about Christian history from an accurate perspective.
My view is that Christianity was a product of its time, when the Roman Empire was coming into contact with other existing cultures. There were Jews coming into contact with Greek philosophy, and this is the environment in which Christianity was born. Scholars are able to unpack a lot of what actually happened, and to get rid of a lot of the past lies and changes.
Ignore Freke and the whole New Age movement. Humanity needs to change to adapt to the world we're living in today.
Scholars have universally criticized the work of Tim Freke. This includes Ehrman (atheist) and Carrier (who believes Jesus didn't exist).
This book was part of the Gnostic craze at the time. I'm assuming these books are for "ex-Christians" who abandoned the mainstream churches, but don't want to abandon the whole idea of Jesus, so Freke is giving them some kind of individualized variety of "religion" rather than historic Christianity. Freke has now moved on from "Gnosticism" to now focusing on his opinions and feelings about dual vs non-dual spirituality and "awakening" and "evolution" which sounds a lot like typical New Age stuff I've been hearing for years. I have no interest in any of this, as it seems lost in the clouds.
People need to accept both historic Christianity and what scholars are saying. It's never a good idea to distort the past and to put your head in the sand. You can't ignore someone like Ehrman, although ultimately he isn't telling you what to think or feel. He's just telling you about the historic documents. So for example, it's impossible for anyone today to believe that The Bible is in inerrant word of God, since it's full of forgeries & inconsistencies. Ex-Christians would be much better off to read scholarly works by academic publishers. This won't tell you how to think or how to live your life, but it will tell you about Christian history from an accurate perspective.
My view is that Christianity was a product of its time, when the Roman Empire was coming into contact with other existing cultures. There were Jews coming into contact with Greek philosophy, and this is the environment in which Christianity was born. Scholars are able to unpack a lot of what actually happened, and to get rid of a lot of the past lies and changes.
Ignore Freke and the whole New Age movement. Humanity needs to change to adapt to the world we're living in today.
November 3, 2024
An incredibly brave book that inspires and challenges normative conventional christian literalist beliefs.
A book challenging such a large religious historical narrative will of course be misunderstood and and will have mixed reviews. To me it is a gem in finding perspective on the philosophical origins of the conventional beliefs held by modern christianity, and I found it quite rational in its lines of reasoning and logical origins. Just what humanity is hungry for today, the first principals of our cultural values.
One thing I may think it leaves out, and maybe it leaves out a lot, which is exciting, not deterring, is the true reasons why the christ consiousness inspires us to face the most difficult sufferings in life by his suffering. In a way the book is afraid of a torchered Godman as inappropriate for today, but what suffering would count as the greatest possible sacrifice for the greatest possible good except for a God sacrificing himself? This archetype is too important to throw away or dismiss lightly in its dimensions of value, as one like Jordan Peterson might argue.
Other than that, there is obviously much debate on historicity of facts etc, but of course facts alone are dead ideas, whereas this is a spiritual and philosophical book about Gnosis and the physical nature of the universe.
Too important to be recognized for its value. It was helpful for me, at least for my investigation into the origins of these beliefs I held growing up in a christian context. Inspiring, even if not 100% accurate as many people, (and the book acknowledges) that people prefer to be.
Has become one of my favorites.
A book challenging such a large religious historical narrative will of course be misunderstood and and will have mixed reviews. To me it is a gem in finding perspective on the philosophical origins of the conventional beliefs held by modern christianity, and I found it quite rational in its lines of reasoning and logical origins. Just what humanity is hungry for today, the first principals of our cultural values.
One thing I may think it leaves out, and maybe it leaves out a lot, which is exciting, not deterring, is the true reasons why the christ consiousness inspires us to face the most difficult sufferings in life by his suffering. In a way the book is afraid of a torchered Godman as inappropriate for today, but what suffering would count as the greatest possible sacrifice for the greatest possible good except for a God sacrificing himself? This archetype is too important to throw away or dismiss lightly in its dimensions of value, as one like Jordan Peterson might argue.
Other than that, there is obviously much debate on historicity of facts etc, but of course facts alone are dead ideas, whereas this is a spiritual and philosophical book about Gnosis and the physical nature of the universe.
Too important to be recognized for its value. It was helpful for me, at least for my investigation into the origins of these beliefs I held growing up in a christian context. Inspiring, even if not 100% accurate as many people, (and the book acknowledges) that people prefer to be.
Has become one of my favorites.
March 25, 2018
OK, I have not finished this book yet, and I don't know when it's going to happen. It's not about the book it is my reluctance. Tim Freke expresses himself very well when speaking and in writing. He is clear, precise, funny. This book delves into Christianity as a non-dual teaching- that the gnostics were all about that. The title hints to a more eqalitarian men-women worldview of the original Christians, but unfortunately It was already very patriarchal.I mean, the allegoric stories of the woman getting lost and starting to prostitute herself-why is it always women? But , so it was at that time, can't argue with the facts. The balancing part is the female companion of Jesus, but still compared to the book about Druids I read(by P.B.Ellis) it just brought me down.
What I find really well done is the the generic explanation of non-duality along the Christian view.
I will finish it, because I find these explanations make the most sense of Christianity instead of the mumbo jumbo(except Jesus's' love thy brother', which is clear and amazing of course) you get throughout your life. The facts behind Paul are also scrutinized. Quite interesting.
AS I said still reading. will edit this review one day. I just wanted write this now, to give it the credit it is due.
What I find really well done is the the generic explanation of non-duality along the Christian view.
I will finish it, because I find these explanations make the most sense of Christianity instead of the mumbo jumbo(except Jesus's' love thy brother', which is clear and amazing of course) you get throughout your life. The facts behind Paul are also scrutinized. Quite interesting.
AS I said still reading. will edit this review one day. I just wanted write this now, to give it the credit it is due.
August 13, 2020
I couldn't finish it, but I don't want to give it a horrible review. I felt very shocked by the data, and that's probably what kept me reading for so long. I fear however, that shock was one of the only things the authors had to keep the readers reading the controversial book. I feel the title is misleading, most of the book is about Gnosticism, we do't even get to the goddess until much later. Growing up Christian the book was a huge mind F***. I was doing mental gymnastics and then putting the book down, getting angry, then going back to read more. It was very emotionally confusing. Christians will hate it, atheists might love it. I felt the tone of the book was a giant academic temper tantrum. I don't want to say don't read it. Read it if it sounds interesting. It's just a LOT to take in.
October 14, 2022
If you have ever felt unsatisfied with Christian doctrine, read this book. If you are completely satisfied with Christian doctrine READ THIS BOOK. I can't count how many times my jaw dropped at the information, history, and questions presented by the authors. This book is incredibly researched and will send you down a rabbit hole of Gnostic mind explosions. It's a big bite to chew and will leave you marking passage after passage. AMAZING.
September 2, 2021
A very readable account of Christian Gnosticism of the first two centuries CE. Ties the teachings of Pythagoras, Plato, Philo, Paul, and Plotinus as well as ancient mystery practices of Hermes, Eleusis, Orpheus, Dionysus, and Mithras to Gnosticism, the perennial philosophy. I'll need to read this book again. It is so packed with information.
February 3, 2024
How the social media impact of the one before us aka the literalists came to overcome the efforts of those trying to shine and ignite the light is just unfathomable. As long as we don’t do the work to find back to our selves and know that we are all one and know that we don’t know, we’ll remain stuck in the vicious loop. Stand up, wake up and be!
February 7, 2019
This book want to tell us about the basic knowledge of gnosticism...
It smells like a conspiracy book, so in the some lines it was very convinced and at the other lines was very stupid and doubtful..
But i like the concept about the gnostic in this book
It smells like a conspiracy book, so in the some lines it was very convinced and at the other lines was very stupid and doubtful..
But i like the concept about the gnostic in this book
November 22, 2022
Excellent Book
Wow, great WAKE UP CALL. This is a necessary read for those of you, like me, who have matured spiritually but still have so many questions. I am so happy I bought this; it feels like it was written for me.
Wow, great WAKE UP CALL. This is a necessary read for those of you, like me, who have matured spiritually but still have so many questions. I am so happy I bought this; it feels like it was written for me.
April 17, 2025
Really enjoyed this one. It’s a great primer on Gnosticism for the lay reader.
It drove me nuts, though, that the authors continually relied on a reading of Mary Magdalene as whore, when that interpretation of her has been completely debunked.
It drove me nuts, though, that the authors continually relied on a reading of Mary Magdalene as whore, when that interpretation of her has been completely debunked.
October 7, 2025
Misleading, misguided, misrepresentation.
This book is nothing but baseless presuppositions, biased speculation, and blatant conjecture.
Anything else I would say has already been covered by the other one and two-star reviewers.
I would not recommend this book to anyone.
This book is nothing but baseless presuppositions, biased speculation, and blatant conjecture.
Anything else I would say has already been covered by the other one and two-star reviewers.
I would not recommend this book to anyone.
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