above’ implies the sloughing off of an old paradigm and the willingness to accept a new one. This seven-year investigation has resulted in one of the most enlightening interpretations of the historical Jesus for decades. From simple numerology to complex biblical allusions, from deciphering commission names to recognizing parallels in historical texts, Our Man in Judea presents a new – or perhaps ancient – understanding of Jesus’ heritage, mission, and fate. It's time. Some of the conclusions are: - Jesus was a Samaritan (descended from Joseph), self-appointed high priest - He is the 2Esdras character, Salathiel - He attempts to symbolically unify the tribes by "gathering the Remnant," in preparation for the coming of God’s new kingdom - He challenges the temple priesthood by creating an alternative priesthood that is anointed, hereditary, and, it seems, legitimized by the Ark of the Covenant - The priesthood/kingdom is based on the religion of Abraham, Jacob, and Joseph…and rejects the monarchy of Judah - The link to Moses is all but broken, as Jesus rejects Moses’ Egyptian-based religion and the alleged erroneous choices made by those who followed him. The point, for Jesus, was that Joseph had been elected the head of Israel, not Judah, and that it was the northern, "lost" tribes that retained the true religion of their forefathers - Jesus chooses Lazarus, not Peter, as his successor and right-hand-man - Lazarus and Mary Magdalene are united in a symbolic marriage that represents the reuniting of the northern and southern tribes - Mary has Jesus’ child, though Jesus is already married to Martha - Mary, Lazarus, and the child become what later Christians referred to as the "Holy Family" - Jesus IS recorded in the histories of Josephus, but not where most people think - Jesus escapes death and lives to establish his new kingdom at Shiloh, a symbolically profound site in Samaria. There are implications for Dead Sea Scrolls research and other NT investigations, especially into the nature of the Johannine Community and Paul's anguish over the "other gospel" that was circulating at the time. Similarly, those seeking further insight into the role and significance of John the Baptist will find much to debate, here.

Hide more