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The Obelisk and the Cross: an alternative history of God, myth and meaning in the western world
Why does an ancient Egyptian obelisk celebrating the god of the sun stand in the centre of St Peter's Square in Vatican City, the home of the Pope and the heartland of Catholicism?
Taking this mysterious fact as his starting point, Tony Sunderland examines the history of religious belief in an attempt to understand how what has happened in the past continues to exert a ghostly influence in the present. Going right back to the voluptuous mother goddess figures of our ancestors, the pantheons of the Greeks and Romans, the wisdom of the Hebrew Bible, the birth of Christ, the radical heresies of the Gnostics and the Esoterics, the consolidation of a Catholic orthodoxy and the Protestant revolution, Sunderland traces a history of ideas that shines a light on how and why belief systems are constructed and the role they play in providing meaning and order in a dangerous, volatile world. Over this long and fascinating history the figure of the first monotheist, the ancient Egyptian pharaoh Akhenaten, casts his long shadow.
"Where did we come from? Why are we here? What happens when we die?"
Many alternative explanations of how 'things came to be' in the Western world have either been ignored or suppressed by dominant and overpowering narratives of what can be termed as consensus history. This book blends the orthodox view of Western history with alternative interpretations and propositions of historical events. The metaphors of the obelisk and the cross have been used to illustrate the interdependent relationship between the 'other' and the 'orthodox' respectively. One cannot dominate the other; rather they can only be defined through an understanding of what they are not. Only then, can bridges be made to create a vision of 'what could be'.
""The bleeding of different belief systems into each other is a very important issue to understand, especially in our rather divided modern world in which religions have become enemies all over again.""
Taking this mysterious fact as his starting point, Tony Sunderland examines the history of religious belief in an attempt to understand how what has happened in the past continues to exert a ghostly influence in the present. Going right back to the voluptuous mother goddess figures of our ancestors, the pantheons of the Greeks and Romans, the wisdom of the Hebrew Bible, the birth of Christ, the radical heresies of the Gnostics and the Esoterics, the consolidation of a Catholic orthodoxy and the Protestant revolution, Sunderland traces a history of ideas that shines a light on how and why belief systems are constructed and the role they play in providing meaning and order in a dangerous, volatile world. Over this long and fascinating history the figure of the first monotheist, the ancient Egyptian pharaoh Akhenaten, casts his long shadow.
"Where did we come from? Why are we here? What happens when we die?"
Many alternative explanations of how 'things came to be' in the Western world have either been ignored or suppressed by dominant and overpowering narratives of what can be termed as consensus history. This book blends the orthodox view of Western history with alternative interpretations and propositions of historical events. The metaphors of the obelisk and the cross have been used to illustrate the interdependent relationship between the 'other' and the 'orthodox' respectively. One cannot dominate the other; rather they can only be defined through an understanding of what they are not. Only then, can bridges be made to create a vision of 'what could be'.
""The bleeding of different belief systems into each other is a very important issue to understand, especially in our rather divided modern world in which religions have become enemies all over again.""
274 pages, Paperback
Published May 25, 2016
2 people are currently reading
344 people want to read
About the author
Tony Sunderland
9 books61 followersTony Sunderland is an award winning Author and educational researcher who is acknowledged as an innovator in the writing and presentation of nationally accredited courses ranging from social science to the history of learning . He is particularly interested in the practice and history of what has become known as the ‘Western way of life’.
He believes that there are many alternative explanations of how ‘things came to be’ in the Western world and that these have either been ignored or suppressed by dominant and overpowering narratives of what can be termed as consensus history. His latest book ,'The Obelisk and the Cross' attempts to blend the orthodox view of Western history with alternative interpretations and propositions of historical events.
Tony has visited many of the main archaeological sites in Egypt, Israel, Jordon, Italy, Turkey and Greece. His current research interests centre on the investigation and understanding of ancient cultures that existed in the vicinity of the greater Mediterranean region. Tony has been married for 26 years and has two children.
He believes that there are many alternative explanations of how ‘things came to be’ in the Western world and that these have either been ignored or suppressed by dominant and overpowering narratives of what can be termed as consensus history. His latest book ,'The Obelisk and the Cross' attempts to blend the orthodox view of Western history with alternative interpretations and propositions of historical events.
Tony has visited many of the main archaeological sites in Egypt, Israel, Jordon, Italy, Turkey and Greece. His current research interests centre on the investigation and understanding of ancient cultures that existed in the vicinity of the greater Mediterranean region. Tony has been married for 26 years and has two children.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
August 21, 2017
Tony Sunderland, in his first book and the first in a new non-fiction series of his, has chosen quite a clever way to tackle the subject of Christian-Judaic history. The obelisk represents, in a way, all that has been purposefully buried or else just plain forgotten, whereas the cross signifies all that Catholicism/Christianity eventually became.
As his starting point, Sunderland asks why there is an ancient Egyptian obelisk at the Vatican, when technically speaking that has nothing to do with the Catholic faith. Could it be the popes of yesteryear knew something we don’t? Something perhaps about the true origins of their religion?
To find out, The Obelisk and the Cross takes the reader through a kaleidoscope of beliefs, religions and philosophies – everything from the Ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Jews, Romans, Gnostics, Freemasons and various other “heretics”.
Sunderland seems to imply that we cannot understand organised religions of the West without knowing what they derived from…and that means acknowledging the once influential but now overlooked esoteric faiths of the Middle East that preceded organized religion. And I wholeheartedly agree with him.
The book also makes an attempt to ask the really big questions like whether there actually is a God and if there is an afterlife. The book does this skilfully by giving succinct bullet point summaries of each faith system of the ancient world – and exactly what they believed happened after death.
The Obelisk and the Cross is a thought-provoking tome that seems to represent Sunderland’s “life’s work”. I recommend it to all truth seekers who want something well-researched without the writing being too academic.
As his starting point, Sunderland asks why there is an ancient Egyptian obelisk at the Vatican, when technically speaking that has nothing to do with the Catholic faith. Could it be the popes of yesteryear knew something we don’t? Something perhaps about the true origins of their religion?
To find out, The Obelisk and the Cross takes the reader through a kaleidoscope of beliefs, religions and philosophies – everything from the Ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Jews, Romans, Gnostics, Freemasons and various other “heretics”.
Sunderland seems to imply that we cannot understand organised religions of the West without knowing what they derived from…and that means acknowledging the once influential but now overlooked esoteric faiths of the Middle East that preceded organized religion. And I wholeheartedly agree with him.
The book also makes an attempt to ask the really big questions like whether there actually is a God and if there is an afterlife. The book does this skilfully by giving succinct bullet point summaries of each faith system of the ancient world – and exactly what they believed happened after death.
The Obelisk and the Cross is a thought-provoking tome that seems to represent Sunderland’s “life’s work”. I recommend it to all truth seekers who want something well-researched without the writing being too academic.
June 11, 2017
Sunderland has produced an impressive piece of scholarship: a balanced, well researched reference book covering the spiritual underpinnings of Western Civilization. I rank it up there with Elaine Pagels Gnostic Gospels, Robinson's Nag Hammadi Reader/Library and the works of Bart Ehrman. The Obelisk and the Cross should be a part of any western civ course as a companion to primary texts. It's an impressive body of work. The last few chapters, on the symbolic importance of the obelisk was especially interesting, showing how symbols can change heir meaning over time even for orthodox believers. Amazing work!
October 2, 2016
It's not an easy feat to condense thousands of years of religious history into a short book, and Tony Sunderland does it exceptionally well. Too often, books like this can be too heavy going and wrapped up in academia, but Sunderland’s writing is accessible and easy to read, whilst still maintaining an academic approach.
We travel through religions and spiritual practices from ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, through Judaism, the Roman Empire, the Gnostics and Christianity to the Renaissance and beyond, and each step of the way, Tony Sunderland illustrates how past spiritual beliefs and practices merged into the next. Along the way, three questions are asked with regards to what each religion believes: Where did we come from? Why are we here? And: What happens when we die? Using these questions as the three main facets which underlie any religion, the author manages to summarise each one in a handy soundbite for readers to simply understand the driving forces behind each one.
Having read quite a lot of stuff about these subjects before, I didn’t see the book as quite as alternative as it sets out to be, but if you’re new to how religious practices blended into one another, then this is the ideal book to start with.
I would have liked to have heard more about the specific uses and meanings of the cross and obelisk, as what is touched upon at the beginning and end of the book, I felt, could have been written about in much more detail – especially such things as the Freemasonic use of obelisk placements, such as the one in Washington. But nit-picking to one side, this was a superbly written and enjoyable read.
We travel through religions and spiritual practices from ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, through Judaism, the Roman Empire, the Gnostics and Christianity to the Renaissance and beyond, and each step of the way, Tony Sunderland illustrates how past spiritual beliefs and practices merged into the next. Along the way, three questions are asked with regards to what each religion believes: Where did we come from? Why are we here? And: What happens when we die? Using these questions as the three main facets which underlie any religion, the author manages to summarise each one in a handy soundbite for readers to simply understand the driving forces behind each one.
Having read quite a lot of stuff about these subjects before, I didn’t see the book as quite as alternative as it sets out to be, but if you’re new to how religious practices blended into one another, then this is the ideal book to start with.
I would have liked to have heard more about the specific uses and meanings of the cross and obelisk, as what is touched upon at the beginning and end of the book, I felt, could have been written about in much more detail – especially such things as the Freemasonic use of obelisk placements, such as the one in Washington. But nit-picking to one side, this was a superbly written and enjoyable read.
January 6, 2019
I found this book on goodreads by speaking directly with the author, Tony, on the underground knowledge forum. Tony is very knowledgeable and seems to be a heck of a nice guy! This book is an awesome way to answer questions many might have about the mystery surrounding pre-Christian and post-Christian thoughts on God, afterlife, life’s purpose, etc.
The structure of this book is actually really cool too-Tony discusses historical context of each “religion” or belief system and then posits 3 questions in relation to that spiritual doctrine/belief system/religion: where do we come from? Why are we here? What happens after we die?
Great read...highly recommend to all history and esoterica buffs.
The structure of this book is actually really cool too-Tony discusses historical context of each “religion” or belief system and then posits 3 questions in relation to that spiritual doctrine/belief system/religion: where do we come from? Why are we here? What happens after we die?
Great read...highly recommend to all history and esoterica buffs.
July 4, 2017
This book cover religious beliefs from about 5000 year BCE and sums those beliefs with 3 questions: Where did we come from? Why are we hear?, What happens when we die? I found the research quite interesting, have been raised in the Catholic Church and very little exposure to other religions. The book is only 235 pages, the print easy to read with my old eyes and plenty of ideas to consider. I received this book as a Goodreads Giveaway and I thank the author for sharing it with me.
November 18, 2016
I am currently reading this book! Very excited I won a before published copy on goodreads!
I just finished reading this book! This book is amazing and very well written! I loved how it got my brain thinking & pondering! I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves history and makes a different point a view on how we see religion and God!
I just finished reading this book! This book is amazing and very well written! I loved how it got my brain thinking & pondering! I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves history and makes a different point a view on how we see religion and God!
December 18, 2019
I enjoyed this book because I enjoy the topic. The synopsis piqued my curiosity and and it was a quick read. However, for such a complicated topic, the book itself was relatively bare bones. Maybe, I suppose it had to be. If it included more information, it would be several volumes long. One or the other I guess. Also, I don't feel like it fully delivered on the titled premise. There was no "alternative" history to be had. It was history as read in many other books. It didn't promise to be an in depth analysis of Obelisks throughout history/the world either, but I felt like it could have added a bit more to that - which was basically the whole idea behind the book.
If anything, I added several books to my To-Read list because of this one's notes/bibliography.
But still, I'd give it 4 stars for an uncomplicated and brief read.
If anything, I added several books to my To-Read list because of this one's notes/bibliography.
But still, I'd give it 4 stars for an uncomplicated and brief read.
Want to read
August 1, 2016I will review once i get to this book in my list of books to read. I received it from a goodreads giveaway. when i received this it the cover and about a fourth of the pages were bent and a few pages have holes ripped into them. Still readable but a little disappointing. This will not affect my rating because ratings should always be based on the content of the book and not on the condition it was received in.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews