| Original Christianity: A New Key to Understanding the Gospel of Thomas and Other Lost Scriptures Contributor(s): Novak, Peter (Author) |
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ISBN: 1571744452 ISBN-13: 9781571744456 Publisher: Hampton Roads Publishing Company OUR PRICE: $15.26 Product Type: Paperback - Other Formats Published: September 2005 Annotation: . Due to the recent work of scholars such as Elaine Pagels and Marvin Meyer, the Gospel of Thomas and other rediscovered teaching of Jesus are capturing the imagination of a public increasingly committed to pursuing their faith outside the bounds of orthodoxy. Original Christianity, however, proposes that a critical element essential for fully understanding these scriptures has been lost until now. Novak suggests that the authors of these early texts believed in something he calls the Binary Soul Doctrine?a belief that allows for both reincarnation and an eternal afterlife. Novak's startling new theory offers fresh insights on the beliefs and politics of the early church founders and helps explain the current flight from traditional religions. |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Religion | Biblical Studies - General - Body, Mind & Spirit | Ancient Mysteries & Controversial Knowledge - Religion | Christianity - History |
| Dewey: 229.8 |
| LCCN: 2005015665 |
| Physical Information: 0.76" H x 6.1" W x 8.98" (0.86 lbs) 280 pages |
| Themes: - Religious Orientation - New Age - Topical - New Age - Religious Orientation - Christian |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: Whoever finds the interpretation of these sayings will not experience death. --from the Gospel of Thomas The work of scholars such as Elaine Pagels and Marvin Meyer have captured the imagination of the public by setting forth the Gospel of Thomas and other lost teachings of Jesus. Now Peter Novak, in Original Christianity, brings forth a critical element essential for fully understanding these scriptures. Novak argues that the authors of these early texts subscribed to the Binary Soul Doctrine--an ancient belief system that allows for both reincarnation and an eternal afterlife. Novak's interdisciplinary approach offers fresh insights on the beliefs and politics of the early church founders. He points out that reincarnation was a commonly held Christian belief until it was voted out of official Christianity and the record expunged. This newfound key reveals the true identities of many mysterious Biblical figures, such as Lazarus, Barabbas, Judas, and especially the Apostle Thomas, who may not only have been Jesus' identical twin brother, but indeed a second Christ in his own right, who lived to produce a genetically identical bloodline. More important still, the rediscovery of the lost theology of Original Christianity means Christ's central message of personal integrity can again take center stage. |