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HomeShop at BookSurgeFictionAnthologies (multiple authors)Secret Teachings of the Angelic Kings: New Translation of the ancient Aramaic "Drashia d-Malkia" scroll, containing lost Gnostic sermons of Jesus, Mary Magdalene, and John the Baptist |
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3 of 3 found the following review helpful:
 Secret Teachings Excellent Mar 10, 2008
By M. Brock
"M. Brock"
I really enjoyed this book, I do not agree with these other reviews. They seem unfair and I wonder if they read the same book?
Mead only partially translated 27 of the 77 chapters. This is the first English translation of the additional 50 chapters. All competent Mandaean scholars admit that the original text was altered in the 7th century by someone who didn't like the Bryzantinian version of Jesus or Islam. The author has carefully shifted these well known alterations to footnotes, and by doing so has restored the text to its original condition while still giving the reader access to the additions. In the introduction he explains how an Islamic period Mandaean named Ramuia was the author of these later anti-Jesus alterations which were so clumsily added to the original text.
The author's argument that the text came down to the Mandaeans from Gnostic Christian sources seems plausible and is not absurd. The famous Muslim scholar `al-Nadim, who died in 995 AD, wrote that the Mandaeans of the Iraq marshes regarded Elchasai, a Gnostic Christian visionary who started the Elchasaites, as their founder. This belief was reinforced by Mandaean scholars like Lidzbarski, Chwolsohn, Renan, Segelberg, Mead, Gunduz and others. Gündüz wrote: "The similarities between the Mandaeans and Elchasaite baptism point to a common sphere of origin of both traditions." A Gnostic Christian source is also the best explanation for the prominent presence of Miryai, or Mary Magdalene, in this text. Jesus is also the best candidate for the person she addresses as the Knowledge of Life in the texts, a person that the Jews promised to crucify because he converted her away from Judaism. This Knowledge of Life is the main teacher in the text and the similarities of his words to words attributed to Jesus in the New Testament is quite striking. Mead also agreed that these were the inspiration behind the New Testament parables like the Good Shepherd and the Fisher of Men.
I also see no evidence of New Age philosophy, Mormonism, or hidden agendas either in this book or on the web site mentioned by the previous reviewer. These seem like false assumptions and a continuation of the age old slander of the Christians against Gnostics.
4 of 5 found the following review helpful:
Yeah right Feb 14, 2008
By Mark Gibbs
This was a disappointment. Most of the content is available in GRS Mead's "Book of John." The parts that aren't have been edited openly by the book's author to suit a particular translation that he feels is most appropriate to his own theology. Consequently, attacks on Jesus that were made in the text by the Mandaean writers are explained away as later abberations. So according to the author, the early Mandaeans - who were followers of John the Baptist - actually revered Jesus, and not John, as the Christ. They were the true Essenes and the true Christians.
Not only is this absurd, it contradicts everything that is known about the Mandaeans, and other early groups that followed John the Baptist. They were united by their disdain, not veneration, for Jesus. So this book is a lame attempt to claim original Essenism, and Jesus at the same time.
On the previous reviewer's point about polygamy - it is quite possible that it was practiced by Essenes. It was a common practice in ancient Judaism, and throughout the Middle East. That is not to say that it was practiced by Jesus, but there are clues to suggest thst it was practiced by Essene priests.
4 of 8 found the following review helpful:
 Secret Teachings of the Angelic Kings: New Translation of the ancient Aramaic \"Drashia d-Malkia\" scroll, containing lost Gnost Sep 12, 2007
By Carol Mckay
"MFA-artist-cultural historian"
This book by Davied Asia Israel (David Gilbert), the founder of The Order of the Nazorean Essenes, is remarkable in many ways as is his gorgeous, beautifully designed, and multilevel web site. He launches a claim for Jesus of Nazareth and Mary Magdelene as husband and wife. So do I. However, when all of Israel's remarkable research seem to exist to the end to support the notion that with the permission of partners it is evolved and desirable to have multiple sexual partners at the same time. On the web there is a drawing of Jesus sitting in a pasture with two women that he implies are both mates. Since I am monogamous, I will not ever be an ideal of a spiritually evolved human being that Isarel describes on his web site referring to his idea of multiple simultaneous sexual relationships.
".............. for only very advanced and mature souls can transcend the instinctual urges of jealousy and possessiveness upon which worldly marriages operate. Those who feel called to these special types of spiritual bonding are forced to rise above their lower instincts and abide in a state of continual compassion, patience and awareness that is beyond the normal range of more base souls."
Though the personal proclivities of a writer or artist in most cases should not be included in a review of a book, as a visiting member of The Order of Nazorean web site and purchaser of this book, I am have become aware that I may be supporting the hidden agenda of a New Age Mormon Fertility Cult. That being said I am cautious that the translator may skew this translation from German of an ancient Mandaic-Aramaic text. Israel's other book, Yeshu-Essene Jesus of Gnostic Nazoreans with chapter as "Aramaic Hints of Polygamy " clearly philosopically supports the ideal of a new age fertility cult.
Carol McKay
0 of 3 found the following review helpful:
Garbage Jul 22, 2008
By Truth Seeker
Don't waste your time.
The author is just another New Age Pseudo-Guru, and anything written by him isn't worth the paper it's written on.
There is NO scholarship here, just self justifying meglomania.
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