The Third Jesus: Book on the Way
It's been a little while since I've been excited about a new book that is being released. I don't tend to be ahead of the curve that much and only pick up books that have been out for a while. That said, I happened to open an email from Amazon.com about some new releases and found this. As a fan of Mr. Chopra's work (generally) and as someone who is always looking for fresh and ever-widening ways to understand my Christian faith, I'm very much excited to dive in. Watch for a review in the coming weeks.
The Third Jesus: The Christ We Cannot Ignore (Deepak Chopra)
From Amazon.com's book description:
"Who is Jesus Christ?
In The Third Jesus, bestselling author and spiritual leader Deepak Chopra provides an answer to this question that is both a challenge to current systems of belief and a fresh perspective on what Jesus can teach us all, regardless of our religious background. There is not one Jesus, Chopra writes, but three.
First, there is the historical Jesus, the man who lived more than two thousand years ago and whose teachings are the foundation of Christian theology and thought. Next there is Jesus the Son of God, who has come to embody an institutional religion with specific dogma, a priesthood, and devout believers. And finally, there is the third Jesus, the cosmic Christ, the spiritual guide whose teaching embraces all humanity, not just the church built in his name. He speaks to the individual who wants to find God as a personal experience, to attain what some might call grace, or God-consciousness, or enlightenment.
When we take Jesus literally, we are faced with the impossible. How can we truly “love thy neighbor as thyself”? But when we see the exhortations of Jesus as invitations to join him on a higher spiritual plane, his words suddenly make sense.
Ultimately, Chopra argues, Christianity needs to overcome its tendency to be exclusionary and refocus on being a religion of personal insight and spiritual growth. In this way Jesus can be seen for the universal teacher he truly is–someone whose teachings of compassion, tolerance, and understanding can embrace and be embraced by all of us."
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christianity,
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7 comments:
Hey Trev...
thanx for the heads up on this book. I really like reading your blog. It makes me think...which is never a bad thing...be well friend and keep the movie reviews, book finds and whatev is on your mind coming.
Trev,
I agree with you and that I don't rush out to buy the latest "craze" in books...but I will definately check out this book :) Mucho thanks for the tip. Gary D.
This sounds like it might be "The Coming of the Cosmic Christ" for a new generation. Sounds good. (But whoever designed the cover... Arrrrgh!)
Chopra is expanding on what Borg has written about the pre-Easter and post-Easter Jesus, adding a third "cosmic" Jesus. I hope he views these three facets of Jesus as integral and not just different perspectives that can stand on their own. There are those who see the historical Jesus or the Son of God Jesus as singular perspectives, which has brought us to where we are today. Considering this third dimension of Jesus as integral with the other dimensions, like the proverbial three-legged stool, brings a balance that is often lacking.
Jesus' message to his followers was to follow him to a new way of living on earth - the kingdom of God. Denying Jesus' spiritual message ignores a big part of the gospel.
I agree with Tom (the 3-parts of Jesus are very much connected and should NOT be taken as seperate entities, a very good analogy about the three legged stool, this is very key to understanding the COMPLETE picture of Jesus)
Right on, Tom
Hope you all check it out. I'm enjoying it immensely and think it's going to really mean a lot to my spiritual journey.
Balance IS often lacking, Tom ... it will be interesting to see where the book comes out on that.
Trev; I hope it'll be everything you hope.
Jon; good cover art is so often lacking. Sigh.
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