The Fourth 5-Star Review (Grant Leishman for Readers’ Favorite)

 

"The Secret Code of the Gospels: The Earthly Story by Albert Seidel is a serious and scholarly effort to critically examine the Gospels of the New Testament. The author asks the pertinent questions: Did Jesus truly exist? Are the Gospels a truthful retelling of actual historical events that occurred some two thousand years ago, by those who witnessed them? Who actually wrote the Gospels and why? The author believes that the Gospels themselves give readers a clue to the answers to those questions, with markers indicating the writer, the purpose, and indeed the entire basis of the largest religion on earth, Christianity. The idea of applying earthly logic to these supposed supernatural events allows readers to consider the events described in the Gospels dispassionately and draw their own conclusions.

Albert Seidel has raised issues in this treatise that threaten to shake the very foundations of Christianity. The Secret Code of the Gospels is an absolutely fascinating read, whether or not you have any foundation or interest in religious thought. The idea that the entire foundation for modern-day Christianity could actually be the creation of a Roman Emperor, determined to unite his disparate empire with a common cause and a monotheistic God, is earth-shattering. The author reminds readers that when viewed through the concept of earthly principles, modern-day science, and understanding of physics, much of what is revealed in the Gospels is beyond logical belief. The author’s basic premise is that the Gospels were actually penned in the fourth century by a scribe of Constantine, and based on the writings of Flavius Josephus, a Jewish historian from the first century. Readers will have to make up their own minds about some of the sometimes tenuous links claimed. This book presents a compelling rationale to help us understand what may have happened in Judea all those years ago. All thinking and rational people will gain a lot from this book, and I highly recommend it." — Reviewed by Grant Leishman for Readers’ Favorite

New 5-Star Review (Frank Mutuma for Readers’ Favorite)

 "Is the historicity of Jesus Christ provable? Proving the existence of a figure who lived more than 2000 years ago can be an uphill task, yet he influenced not just the formation of the Christian religion but also some major philosophical thoughts still in use today. Despite being authored by different people, the gospels provide a similar account of Jesus Christ. Should they be viewed as purely religious texts, or do they provide more context? According to the gospels, Jesus is both God and man. Ignoring the religious aspect, many people would assume that Jesus, as a man, would adhere to worldly laws while living as a man in the world. In the Christian religion, Jesus is represented at the end of his life on a cross as the king of the Jews, which raises many questions if he was divine. The Secret Code of the Gospels by Albert Seidel reconstructs the earthly story of Jesus.

The Secret Code of the Gospels by Albert Seidel is an interesting read. This thought-provoking work got me thinking not only about the Christian religion but also about the historicity of other major religions, such as Buddhism. The careful examination of the gospels shows the work is well researched. Albert also explained everything well, which ensured the work was effective in passing on the intended message without alienating anyone. I loved the numerous references, which means this work can be used as a stepping stone to further exploration of the scriptures. The reader will also appreciate the easy-to-understand language, which makes the work accessible to all audiences. This was a very informative read, and I look forward to reading something else by Albert Seidel." — Reviewed by Frank Mutuma for Readers’ Favorite

Another 5-Star Review (Leonard Smuts for Readers' Favorite)!

 

"The four Gospels in the New Testament lay the foundation for the Christian faith, but were written solely as religious texts and meant to be accepted as a matter of faith. Written in ancient Greek, the Gospels have been widely translated and interpreted. How accurate is the biblical portrayal of the events of some two thousand years ago? Albert Seidel ventures into this debate with The Secret Code of the Gospel: The Earthly Story. He points out that the authorship of the Gospels is far from clear. The timing is also uncertain, although conventional belief is that they were written sometime during the first century. The incidents portrayed have been largely overlooked by the official historians of the day, making verification difficult. The author highlights the many anomalies that exist in the Gospels. Memories fade over time, and details become blurred. He questions whether the authors actually witnessed the events portrayed at first hand, and whether Jesus was human or divine. The book examines happenings from the nativity to the crucifixion, contrasting Jesus the preacher with Jesus the king (the latter a secular title). The author’s reconstruction paints a totally different picture of history that makes for interesting reading.

Albert Seidel has produced some radical and intriguing explanations for what may have transpired from the birth of Jesus to his ministry, crucifixion, and beyond. Early Christian history is also examined. This is approached from a secular perspective to provide a historical context, without promoting or disputing any religious belief. The earthly story is substantially different from that accepted by conventional Christianity and will have readers reaching for their Bibles. As an example, the role and status of Mary Magdalene is becoming a regular topic of debate, so this book should not be dismissed as a flight of fantasy. This work also echoes a growing body of thought that the Gospels have been selectively edited through the ages to support a particular narrative. The writing is concise and backed by copious references. The Secret Code of the Gospel may not find favor with mainstream Christians, but it should be read with an open mind. It will certainly raise questions and spark healthy debate. It is highly recommended for those interested in Christian belief and history." — Reviewed by Leonard Smuts for Readers' Favorite

First Review! 5 of 5 Stars! (Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite)

 

"In Albert Seidel's The Secret Code of the Gospels: The Earthly Story, Albert takes the path less traveled and reframes the Gospels as a hidden account of power built around a single outcome that begins at the cross. He presents Jesus as a claimant to kingship whose trial before Pontius Pilate secures the title “King of the Jews,” turning the execution into a legal transfer that does not end with death. Seidel identifies Mary Magdalene as his wife and says she carries an heir, so the declaration that Jesus has risen becomes a public statement that the title continues through that child. He follows how this claim is established, protected, and carried forward, then connects it to later rule by showing how this structure supports authority grounded in inherited succession.

As a person who spent many Sundays growing up in the hard pews of a sweltering Baptist church, I could almost hear the collective pearl-clutching as I read Albert Seidel's The Secret Code of the Gospel...and it made me smile. What I found really interesting are the parallels that can be made to the world we live in today. Seidel talks about imperial legitimacy, culminating in the identification of Constantine as the intended beneficiary, covering the current interest in how historical texts are constructed, and still used to support governing systems. Seidel writes in a comfortably instructional style, and I always knew what he was saying with little effort, and he definitely keeps the material accessible while still presenting detailed reasoning. This is the perfect read for those willing to think beyond traditional teaching, with a strong argument that reframes the familiar Gospels into a unified claim about power, lineage, and institutional formation. Very highly recommended." — Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite

My New Book: "The Secret Code of the Gospel. The Earthly Story"

Did the heroes of the Gospels live in history, or only in story? What truly happened in Judea two thousand years ago? Who was proclaimed King of the Jews, and what led to his condemnation to death? Can a religious text reflect real “earthly” events?

These questions form the heart of Albert Seidel’s exploration, presented in The Secret Code of the Gospel: The Earthly Story—a bold journey into the origins of the Gospels, unfolding like a detective investigation. Together with the reader, Seidel examines the clues concealed within the sacred texts. Guided by logic and common sense, he uncovers a secular narrative woven into the Gospels—what he calls the “Earthly Story.”

By cracking the secret code embedded in the Gospels, Seidel uncovers this hidden "Earthly Story", revealing historical figures obscured in the text and reconstructing the true context in which the Gospels were created. He not only determines when the Gospels were written but also identifies their author—a discovery that reshapes our understanding of Christianity’s beginnings.

Written with clarity, thought-provoking insight, and grounded in reason, this book invites readers to rethink traditional perspectives on human history. The author challenges long-held perspectives, showing that the Gospels are not only religious texts but also the earliest documents preserving vital information about humanity’s past.