1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Nothing New Here, 5 Nov 2010
There seem to be far too many of this type of book which does not really enlighten those who already have a grasp of the various theories surrounding the person known as Jesus Christ. Lena Einhorn to my mind does not really contribute much to a fascinating subject and much of what she says has been written elsewhere to possibly greater effect. However, for somebody who is coming to this subject for the first time it may provide a useful starting point as the language style is easy. But do read on especially the book that she refers to briefly which to my mind is possibly quite mind blowing and that is "The Original Jesus" by Gruber and Kersten (Element 1995) and the Buddhist sources of Christianity. Equally another book "Jesus lived in India" (Penguin of India - you may have to search on the internet for this one) is another useful resource. I might be branded a heretic but Theologians ( and I have studied Theology at Post Graduate level)strictly have been unable to come to terms with an historical figure known as Jesus. What makes Lena Einhorn think that she might hold the key. Vermes and Schonfeld give an excellent rendition of proof or otherwise of Jesus as he might have been The so called Messianic figure is perhaps contrived in the written accounts. The door is open and this is what makes it such a fascinating subject. Personally I would subscribe to Jesus as being a Buddhic figure who like other Buddhas (mythic or otherwise) has really quite a lot of karma going for him. Lena Einhorn doesn't really succeed for the serious reader to my view. As for Paul of Tarsus...............
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3.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting but a bit pye in the sky, 26 Dec 2011
This review is from: The Jesus Mystery: Astonishing Clues to the True Identity of Jesus and Paul (Hardcover)
First I would like to note that the book is well written and well-structured and is very interesting to read, hence the three stars!
However, despite being all this as well as being very illuminating in parts it doesn't offer any real substance as far as the Historical Jesus goes. The author is obviously a 'Lena' (sorry about the pun) towards the Jesus seminar stuff and thinks Crossan is a voice for the mainstream, not sure about that! Also the 'hypothesis', despite being very honest about it being a 'Hypothesis' is nothing more than a personal idea and lacks any concrete evidence. Paul and Jesus being the same person is just pie in the sky! I raise much more problems than it solves and is just unconvincing to say the least. For example, when Paul goes to Jerusalem to find out about the man he encounters in his vision there is clearly a community in place with its own take on Jesus, and Paul is clearly in one accord with the main thrust of the movement, though they do obviously have their major differences. For me, the hoo har created about circumcision and food laws is one thing, but Paul proclaiming himself in Jesus is quite something else! Also, I am not surprised in that much of Jesus is not mentioned in the pagan and Jewish text, Jesus, to them is just one of many who fell by the power of Rome, though there are strong fingerprints over the texts concerned that Jesus did exist as Lena, leans towards, (sorry I will stop it now. However, the worst part or me is the psychological intellectual bullying hinted at, i.e., if you don't agree with me then you are simply not a 'free thinker'. I find this sentiment quite childish and sill. Just because people don't agree with your views does not mean they are not 'free thinker', perhaps you simply haven't demonstrated the evidence strongly enough, if it's there, and in this case it certainly is not! Often the most acclaimed 'free thinkers' I have encountered have been the most myopic and dogmatic characters I have ever met, ironically with no 'freedom' in their own thoughts. On a childish level it's a bit like someone asking, `agree with me or if you can't it's your stupidity getting in the way'.
Nevertheless, well written, but not very well argued, but I admire her honesty about it being 'A Hypothesis', unlike some.
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4.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting Book, but I am not convinced....., 31 Dec 2010
This review is from: The Jesus Mystery: Astonishing Clues to the True Identity of Jesus and Paul (Hardcover)
I found the book interesting but was not convinced with regard to the theory put forward. Still, it held my attention and it is always interesting to hear new theories on topics such as this. I would recommend it to people who have an interest in early christianity.
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