....For readers new to this historical approach to Christian origins, this book will be a revelation and an invitation to an expanded view while appreciating the pervasive influence of the mysteries and earlier spiritual traditions on the gospel story....Ultimately, the book’s message brings our focus back to our own inner experience and journey that involves questioning authority and examining open- mindedly the evidence presented here in order to draw our own conclusions. ~ David Lorimer, Paradigm Explorer Scientific and Medical Network

Synopsis: With all the evidence compiled in "The True Origins of Jesus: The myth behind the man" by Geoff Roberts (including some which has only come to light relatively recently), readers can draw their own conclusions from a story which will look very different to the one they learned at Sunday school. Was Jesus Christ a mythical figure who was never intended by the early founders of the religion to be a walking, talking historical person? By examining the earliest historical sources referred to in "The True Origins of Jesus" with an open mind, readers will be free to decide who Jesus is for them today. Critique: Of special appeal to readers with an interest in Christology, religious philosophy, and the history of Christianity, "The True Origins of Jesus: The myth behind the man" is an inherently fascinating, informative, and occasionally iconoclastic study that is highly recommended for personal, community, seminary, church, and academic library Christian Studies collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of clergy, theologians, seminary students, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "The True Origins of Jesus" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $8.49). Editorial Note #1: The late Geoff Roberts was a respected freelance photographer and columnist from Merseyside, England, who worked in regional press for more than three decades. After spending many years researching the early origins of Christianity, he dedicated the final years of his life to collating his findings to present an honest and unbiased historical perspective. Like many, Geoff was an intelligent, non-academic who wanted to conduct his own research into the evidence available to all of us, regarding the origins of "the greatest story ever told", and to ask the question of whether it can be supported by any historical evidence outside the pages of the Bible. Editorial Note #2: As an editor Colm Holland (https://www.colmholland.com/) spent twenty-five years working in sales and marketing in the publishing industry. He was a member the Harper Collins team which published Paul Coelho's The Alchemist in 1993. Colm teaches the art of alchemy in everyday life, and he has devoted his life to true empowerment through inner transformation. He lives in Somerset, UK. ~ Midwest Book Review, http://www.midwestbookreview.com/wbw/feb_23.htm#christianstudies

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book! Reviewed in the United States on July 30, 2017 Verified Purchase This book should be on a best seller list. It's a must read for anyone interested in the foundations of Christianity. Thanks to the author for all of your hard work in putting such a introductory comprehensive work together. He does a great job in pointing the reader to related topics, historians/authors, and texts to further ones research since such research is of a gargantuan undertaking due to the many directions in which it will lead you. ~ Verified puchaser, Amazon

Investigations of the historicity of Jesus have by now become ... Reviewed in the United States on January 25, 2017 Verified Purchase Investigations of the historicity of Jesus have by now become a genre. I would contend that it is one of the most interesting of genres, since Christianity lies at the fundament of our culture, and its origins are by no means a clear and settled matter. This book has been one of the many sources I have gone to, in order to write something which I believe is the first of its kind: a series of novels which, it is my hope, present these matters to the pulbic in the most digestible possible way. So far "Mysterium I Rome" and "Mysterium II Greece" have been published. "Jesus 888" is an eminently readable and insightful addition to the genre which explores Christianity's largely unknown wide-ranging origins, within traditions from Greece, Persia, Egypt, Palestine, India, and more. ~ Verified puchaser, Amazon

Good, Reviewed in Germany on March 7, 2013 Verified Purchase This is a very interesting book about an increasingly common topic (as far as I can see). I'd even say the subject matter should constitute the core of any religious studies course. I enjoyed reading it very much. This book is, to me, a 'must' if you want to delve into whether or not J.C. was a real, historical man, or whether you wish to find simple, 'plain English' arguments to deliver in a discussion somewhere or... Whatever your motive is this book will inform you in a way you can understand. I'd like to finish by saying that we need fewer 'stiff academic' presentations of this subject and more easy-to-read stuff. For this reason I give it five stars. Read and enjoy! ~ Sjidj Dgijj, Amazon

The True Origins of Jesus by Geoff Roberts, will save you years of research by giving the answers your inquiring mind is thirsting for. It bridges the gap between truth and myth, with a common sense that is difficult to find these days in discourses about Jesus. ~ Dean Wilkinson, Founder of Epochwork.com.

What caught my attention about Geoff’s book is his honest and open desire to explore the origins of Christianity from an unbiased historical perspective, and his non - theological approach is refreshing and illuminating. ~ Colm Holland, author of The Secret of The Alchemist.

Through the ages, religious faith and historical fact have enjoyed a slippery relationship. Taboo and group-think make it hard for those who wish to question entrenched beliefs. In "The True Origins of Jesus" Geoff Roberts brilliantly clears away the fog. With clarity and courage, he walks us through the origins of the Jesus stories and the various sources of the New Testament writings. Unafraid to set the original Jesus stories in their proper setting among contemporary bodies of philosophical literature, Geoff reveals some truly arresting correlations, with far-reaching implications for how we understand the figure of Jesus and the Biblical literature which surrounds him. Whether you begin with a perspective of faith or non-faith, you will certainly enjoy sharing Geoff Roberts' scholarly and open exploration. And I guarantee you will come away stimulated and challenged. ~ Paul Wallis, Author of Escaping from Eden, The Scars of Eden, and Echoes of Eden

‘The True Origins of Jesus’ is an important and timely book. It disrupts, challenges and invites you to look at the teachings of the Bible through a more enlightened, unbiased and informed lens. Geoff Roberts’ direct, humble, articulate voice speaks softly but with great power to present a well researched and informed account of Jesus the man, not Jesus the myth. Be prepared to accept that your understanding of who you thought Jesus was may be entirely wrong. The layers of false teachings are exposed with an elegance and compassion that only those touched by a more divine hand can do. Geoff Roberts is no false prophet. He speaks a truth that many will not want to hear but one that we all (especially at these times of turmoil, falsehood and fake news) desperately need to hear. This book may bring you to the end of a road that you have been travelling. It will also set you on a path that will liberate, inform and help you understand, in this lifetime, the power of love that connects us all. Always has. Always will. The truth about the origins of Jesus really will, as Jesus (probably) said, ‘set you free’. ~ Roy Leighton, Co-author of ‘A Moon on Water - activities and stories for developing Children’s Spiritual Intelligence’ and Co-chair of the ‘Cambridge Peace and Education Research Group’ (CPERG)