"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
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