Review (4-star) of A. Seidel book from Vivienne Claire for Goodreads

August 17, 2026

The Secret Code of The Gospel by Albert Seidel is a bold attempt to uncover Christianity's deep secrets through the lens of history, the Bible, and self-examination. The author does not try to give the reader easy formulas and simple answers to basic questions. He asks about the nature of gospel's secretiveness and the way cultural paradigms prevent people from understanding it. However, he also offers a road map for those who are interested in getting answers. One of the strong sides of the book is that the author is mature and deliberate in his exposition of theology and practical Christianity. The use of the term "code" adds a unique element to his presentation of ideas and allows him to be more specific and concrete. Although, sometimes the author seems to stretch the metaphor of code and secrecy, the reader should admit that he is frank enough. It is not a fast-paced devotional. This is a guide to those who want to find the answers. The book is definitely successful in its challenging of believers to think critically about gospel's secrets and mysteries. (Disclosure: I received a free ARC copy of this book to give me a chance to do an honest review on here.)

5-star review of A. Seidel book from Francis Jimenez for Amazon

 

An Interesting but Very Controversial Look at the Gospels

 

Reviewed in theUnited States on August 19, 2026

Format: Kindle

This was definitely an interesting read, but it is also a book that I think you have to read with discernment. The author takes the Gospels and tries to uncover what he calls the “Earthly Story” hidden underneath the biblical account. He presents theories about Jesus, Mary Magdalene, the resurrection, the Nativity, Constantine, and even who actually wrote the Gospels.

I liked that the book made me stop, think, and go back to Scripture for myself. The author does spend a lot of time comparing passages and explaining how he reached his conclusions. However, some of the conclusions felt like very large jumps from the evidence being presented. At times, an interpretation or possibility seemed to quickly become treated as if it had already been proven. There was also some repetition, especially with the “Earthly Story” theory.

I would have liked to see more attention given to evidence that challenges the author’s conclusions, especially because the book makes some extremely significant claims about Jesus and the origins of Christianity. Even though I did not agree with many of the conclusions, it was still interesting to see how the author built his argument. I would recommend reading this as an alternative theory rather than taking everything presented as established historical fact.

 

5-Star Revew of "The Secret Code of the Gospel. The Earthly Story" (Kindle customer for Amazon)

Great Book! Very Insightful and Interesting

Reviewed in the United States on August 12, 2026

I did receive a complimentary copy of this book, however I thought that this book did a really great job of picking apart biblical stories and really honing in on what the secular story is to get a more well-rounded understanding of what biblical stories are based around, giving the context surrounding the biblical passages as well as outside elements that were happening in history at that time. Growing up in a religious environment that cut out every belief that wasn’t religious in its context, this book offered a refreshing outlook on being able to understand more of the earthly story behind these passages as well as gave me food for thought to think about what I knew vs what I know now with this book having been written. To me it highlighted these elements: always dig deeper and farther than you think, because logic and critical thinking can get you anywhere you want to go!

Review (4-star) of A. Seidel book from Elizabeth Vaughn for Goodreads

August 12, 2026 

In The Secret Code of The Gospel, Albert Seidel presents a strict secular deconstruction of the New Testament, stripping away all the accumulated layers of theological supernaturalism and offering an exclusively political "Earthly Story." In this case, the character of Jesus Christ, whose divinity is the core of Christian faith, is portrayed as an earthly King of the Jews who deliberately arranged his execution in order to compel Roman prefect Pontius Pilate to accept him officially. Moreover, Seidel makes an absolutely different interpretation of the resurrection, understanding it as a dynastic succession performed in secret. In particular, according to this version, Mary Magdalene turns out to be a secret wife of Jesus who comes forward to legitimize the royal bloodline of her future child. The new perspective on the Bible is applied even to the apostles, being represented as the royal entourage, and Joseph, being presented as the bodyguard of a widow queen. Although the book gets rather complicated when it works on ancient chronology, it offers interesting arguments against conventional dogma. (Disclosure: Read a review copy to provide an honest assessment).

https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Code-Gospel-Earthly-Story/dp/1038360293

5-star review of A. Seidel book from Dexter Karl for Goodreads

August 9, 2026 

★★★★★

I’ve read quite a few books on religion, but this one honestly surprised me with how interesting and well-researched it was. Its unique theories challenged my perspective and made me reconsider long-held assumptions. I’d definitely recommend it to anyone willing to explore new ideas, even for those deeply entrenched in their beliefs, as this book offers a compelling alternative viewpoint.

I was given a free copy

5-star review of A. Seidel book from Jennifer Sullivan for Goodreads

August 10, 2026

★★★★★

Being a Sunday school dropout who has been tired of the sterilized version of biblical history, I found Albert Seidel’s "The Secret Code of The Gospel: The Earthly Story" as the badly-needed reboot. Freeing from two thousand years of spiritual "love and light" nonsense, Seidel considers the traditional Gospels to be a thrilling political story waiting to unfold. Through highly critical method, Seidel uses religion against itself as an argument that the term "resurrection" actually stood for survival of the royal title through Jesus's pregnant widow, Mary Magdalene. In the shocking logic offered, the Nativity actually represents the birth of Jesus's son after the crucifixion, with Joseph representing a royal bodyguard instead of a stepfather figure. Even more impressively, Judas turns out to be not a traitor but an extremely loyal ally carrying out a meticulously planned suicide to make Pilate to recognize Jesus's royal position. Although it is definitely going to annoy all the religious conservatives, the extremely brave and mind-boggling analysis is the most truthful account of biblical history that I've seen in a while. (Disclosure: I received a free ARC for this honest review.)

5-star review from Abby for Amazon

 

★★★★★

Interesting and non-traditional way of looking at the gospel

Reviewed in the United States on August 3, 2026

I found this book to be very interesting. The author does a great job of using logic to walk through the background of the gospels and he brings up great questions to think about. After reading some of the thoughts, ideas, and questions seem it would seem so simple and obvious but it’s not traditionally taught that way. Overall, great writing and a well put together book. Would definitely recommend to someone that is interested in learning more about the Bible in a less traditional way. I received an advanced reader copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review.