The Third Jesus

[zengrifter]

I love these condescending books from non-Christians who seem to think that
they know more of Christ than Christians themselves. zg (Ps - They do!)

The Third Jesus

By Deepak Chopra

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.

Editorial Reviews

“Distinguishing between the historical Jesus and the Christ of Theology and Philosophy developed over 17 centuries Dr. Chopra captures an intriguing vision of a “Third Jesus,” who, while living on Earth, developed a deep relationship with God. Deepak calls this “God-consciousness.” Dr. Chopra brilliantly uses the sayings of Jesus to demonstrate how his basic mission and ethic of love grew out of his God-consciousness. Through Jesus’ own words and spiritual exercises Deepak beautifully elucidates a beginning, middle and unity pathway for growing in deep God-consciousness to anchor our life on earth and our life after death.”
—Rev. Edward J. Ruetz, retired Catholic priest of the Diocese of Fort Wayne/South Bend in Indiana

"In this book, Deepak Chopra proposes a Copernican revolution in our understanding of Christianity by replacing the theological version of the holy trinity with the triptych of Jesus as possessing a human, an institutional and a mystical dimension. By emphasizing the mystical dimension and identifying Jesus as a spiritual revolutionary, he invites Christianity to perform yet another miracle in his name- that of transforming the world once again."
—Arvind Sharma, Birks Professor of Comparative Religion, Faculty of Religious Studies, McGill University

"The hardest thing to see is what is hidden in plain sight. After 20 centuries of doctrine and dogma we have nearly lost sight of the Jesus who was a wandering teacher of mystical truths. In his imaginative reconstruction of the inner meaning of the gospels, Deepak Chopra reminds us of The Third Jesus, the enlightened master of God-consciousness. It will disturb the minds of the orthodox, and delight the spirits of mystics and progressive Christians."
—Sam Keen, Philosopher and Author, Sightings: Extraordinary Encounters with Ordinary Birds

"An insightful and clarifying glimpse into the life of one of the most radical spiritual teachers the world has known. Chopra gives us the gift of knowing that we may walk in the enlightened footsteps of our brother, Jesus the Christ."
—Michael Bernard Beckwith, founder Agape International Spiritual Center and author of Inspirations of the Heart, 40 Day Mind Fast Soul Feast, A Manifesto of Peace

"In The Third Jesus Deepak Chopra unfolds for us the spirit of Jesus and with a reverence that is at once simple and profound makes his spirit accessible to us in our everyday lives."
—Father Paul Keenan, Host, "As You Think," The Catholic Channel/Sirius 159

MORE- http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/pro...283155&s=books

[Opinion]

The Islamic Fascists need an Enlightenment like Christianity had several centuries ago!

[moo321]

If the Jesus of Theology isn't also the Jesus of history, we shouldn't be listening to the teachings in the first place. If a religion is made up and false, what value does it have?

The question is: WHO is the Jesus of history, and is he the Jesus of theology? I think they're the same, and I think anyone who explores the issue for themselves would agree. Jesus was a real person, who really was the son of God, really did miracles, really died for your sins, and you can believe in him with intellectual integrity.

[zengrifter]

Originally Posted by Opinion

The Islamic Fascists need an Enlightenment like Christianity had several centuries ago!

What Christians had was no "enlightenment". However, Islam has Sufism which is highly evolved.

Stop saying 'Islamofacist' unless you acknowledge the Christian fascist and Jihadist as well as Jewish zionist elements. zg

[cmon46345]

I dont think GOD,at least the one I pray too,wants mankind picking teams.I have a deep faith in GOD[the one who is responsible for my existance]I believe in the priciples of the bible,but dont take the stories literally.Religion has done nothing but caused civil war for mankind.Is this what our creator wants?

[Opinion]

Originally Posted by zengrifter

What Christians had was no "enlightenment". However, Islam has Sufism which is highly evolved.

Stop saying 'Islamofacist' unless you acknowledge the Christian fascist and Jihadist as well as Jewish zionist elements. zg

I disagree. The Christian religious wars stopped in Europe. I don't believe you see Christians all over the world killing over religion. The Islamic Fascists are killing all over the world. They are killing Christians, Jews and mostly other Muslims over faith!

I can't think of any Christian or even Jewish suicide bombers. Maybe can consider McVey loosely.

No Enlightenment? There was no movement in the west to use reason instead of religion in matters of state and commerce? The religious wars stopped in Europe centuries ago, the Islamic Fascists are centuries behind the west in their thinking.

Much of the Islamic world is suffering because religion is used for political and social policy.

[moo321]

Originally Posted by cmon46345

I dont think GOD,at least the one I pray too,wants mankind picking teams.I have a deep faith in GOD[the one who is responsible for my existance]I believe in the priciples of the bible,but dont take the stories literally.Religion has done nothing but caused civil war for mankind.Is this what our creator wants?

I'm confused. Are you saying it doesn't matter if the stories are true or not? Or are you saying you don't care if they are true or not? Or are you saying that deep faith is what matters?

[Automatic Monkey]

Originally Posted by Opinion

The Islamic Fascists need an Enlightenment like Christianity had several centuries ago!

The "enlightenment" they need is the kind Japan got several decades ago.

[zengrifter]

Originally Posted by moo321

If the Jesus of Theology isn't also the Jesus of history, we shouldn't be listening to the teachings in the first place. If a religion is made up and false, what value does it have?


The question is: WHO is the Jesus of history, and is he the Jesus of theology? I think they're the same, and I think anyone who explores the issue for themselves would agree. Jesus was a real person, who really was the son of God, really did miracles, really died for your sins, and you can believe in him with intellectual integrity.

See - Just a few of the OTHER "Saviors"

..........Everything You Know About God Is WRONG

[zengrifter]

Originally Posted by Opinion

I can't think of any Christian or even Jewish suicide bombers.

I rest my case. zg