Jesus’s words of wisdom can become a
companion onyour own spiritual journey.
The gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and
John are not the only record we have of the words spoken by
Jesus. Designed to challenge, enlighten and inspire, they are
also quoted in a wide variety of other ancient
sources—including the Qur’an, writings by early
Christian church fathers, and fragments of lost gospels only
recently discovered. Some of these sayings are familiar; many
are surprising; all expand our conventional understanding of
the scope and essence of Jesus’s original teachings.
More than a “Christian”
compilation, this collection of more than three hundred sayings
reveals a Jesus whose words encapsulate spiritual truths that
resonate across religious boundaries. From the encouraging
“I am hope for the hopeless,” to the wise and
practical “Love those who hate you and you
will not have an enemy,” to the candid “Give no
opportunity to the evil one,” these pointed sayings not
only reveal how Jesus was understood and portrayed across a
wide variety of cultures long ago—they will also
penetrate to your heart, challenge your assumptions, and
energize your own spiritual quest. Now you can experience the
wisdom and power of Jesus’s sayings even if you have no
previous knowledge of these little-known texts.
“Marvelous.... Will provide
spiritual seekers, committed Christians, and academic scholars
[insight into] sayings attributed to Jesus that they may not
know existed. A valuable sourcebook and significant
contribution to the study of the history of Christian
ideas.”
—Stevan
Davies, professor of religious
studies, College Misericordia and author of The Gospel of Thomas: Annotated & Explained
“A fascinating kaleidoscope of
‘other takes’ on Jesus from early
Christianity’s closest religious neighbors.”
—Cynthia Bourgeault, author of
Encountering the Wisdom Jesus
“An invaluable contribution to
historical Jesus research.... Insightful, even-handed and
refreshingly succint ... an essential collection.”
—Rev.
Jeffrey J. Bütz, author of The Brother of Jesus
and the Lost Teachings of
Christianity
“Compelling and enlightening....
Allows us to hear the wisdom that was Jesus.”
—Rabbi
Rami Shapiro, author of The Sacred Art of Lovingkindness: Preparing to
Practice
“If the gospels represent the tip
[of Jesus’s sayings], Andrew Phillip Smith has provided
the rest of the iceberg. Here is proof that [Jesus’s]
voice has never fallen silent.”
—Robert
M. Price, professor of scriptural
studies, Johnnie Colemon Theological Seminary
“Excellent ... an invaluable aid in
our endeavor to hear [Jesus’s] authentic
voice.”
—Ron
Miller, author of The Hidden Gospel of Matthew: Annotated &
Explained
Stephan A. Hoeller is professor emeritus of comparative religions at the
College of Oriental Studies in Los Angeles. He is a frequent
lecturer on Gnosticism and other spiritual traditions, and is
the author of Gnosticism: New Light
on the Ancient Tradition of Inner Knowing, and two other books on the relationship of
Gnosticism to Jungian psychology.
