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Ancient Records of the Birth, Life, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ
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December 22, 2025
This book is a sham. I have not read the complete book, but it is most definitely a hoax. From the back cover: "I was told it was Jesus. This I could easily have suspected, so great was the difference between him and those listening to him. His golden-colored hair and beard gave to his appearance a celestial aspect. He appeared to be about thirty years of age. Never have I seen a sweeter or more serene countenance. What a contrast between him and his hearers, with their black beards and tawny complexions." Page 86 says, "His hair is a bit more golden than hers... His eyes are large and a soft blue, and rather dull and heavy." Jews from that time did not have light hair nor blue eyes. They were typical Middle Eastern folks with darker hair and eyes. Plus, the Bible says that "he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him." Isaiah 53:2 ESV
Joseph is described in the Bible as a just and good man. However, this fake "record" shows him as the opposite. "He is very tall and ugly... He is anything but prepossessing in his appearance, and he is as gross and glum as he looks. He is but a poor talker, and it seems that yes and no are the depth of his mind. I am satisfied he is very disagreeable to his family... He is very jealous...I discovered that all Joseph's ideas were of a selfish kind. All he thought of was himself. Mary is altogether a different character, and she is too noble to be the wife of such a man." pages 73-76
Conclusion: This book is a creation of the author who was removed from his church presbytery for his falsifications. He even copied a bit from Ben Hur by Lew Wallace. (This, I believe, has been removed from the 2nd Editions.) All scholars place these writings as spurious and faulty. The author Mahan wrote, "The book can't do any harm even if it were faulce." Well, it is false, and it does do harm when it presents characters and "facts" contrary to historical evidence and contrary to the Scriptures. Any discerning (not naive) reader should be able to see that this is a bogus counterfeit. For more info about this faux, read the Wikipedia article: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_A...
Joseph is described in the Bible as a just and good man. However, this fake "record" shows him as the opposite. "He is very tall and ugly... He is anything but prepossessing in his appearance, and he is as gross and glum as he looks. He is but a poor talker, and it seems that yes and no are the depth of his mind. I am satisfied he is very disagreeable to his family... He is very jealous...I discovered that all Joseph's ideas were of a selfish kind. All he thought of was himself. Mary is altogether a different character, and she is too noble to be the wife of such a man." pages 73-76
Conclusion: This book is a creation of the author who was removed from his church presbytery for his falsifications. He even copied a bit from Ben Hur by Lew Wallace. (This, I believe, has been removed from the 2nd Editions.) All scholars place these writings as spurious and faulty. The author Mahan wrote, "The book can't do any harm even if it were faulce." Well, it is false, and it does do harm when it presents characters and "facts" contrary to historical evidence and contrary to the Scriptures. Any discerning (not naive) reader should be able to see that this is a bogus counterfeit. For more info about this faux, read the Wikipedia article: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_A...
Displaying 1 of 1 review