The Light of the World

Winner of the eLit Silver Award 2015! (See eLit reviewer notes below *) A unique and fresh work that presents Jesus of Nazareth by his own words as HE intended people to view him and hear him. The four gospel books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John form the core of the book. The author adds some content before and after the four gospel books, which content seeks to accomplish one primary thing - to clear away the dirt and fog that is thrown over Jesus of Nazareth by religion and religious people. There are many people who know some facts about "Jesus Christ," but there are very few people who have a good and solid understanding of his person and teachings. For example, did you know that Jesus did not teach that he was a sacrifice for people's sins? As bible religion spreads across the earth like cancer, fewer and fewer people understand the one who calls himself the Light of the world and the Son of Man. What is Jesus' core message? What claims does he make about himself, and can those claims be trusted? Does Jesus give humanity answers to its problems? You will never be able to know the answers to those questions unless you read his words yourself. If you are a skeptic, be a good skeptic and read his words to make a good judgment - don't rely on others. If it is possible his words and story could have been recorded accurately and preserved - and it is possible - what have you got to lose by listening to him? If you are a physicalist - one who believes the human experience can be satisfactorily explained by atoms, molecules and proteins - are you 100% certain that belief best explains your personal human experience? To use a computer as an analogy, the hardware cannot account for, nor did it create, the software. In the same manner, the physical human body cannot account for our sentience, our abiliity to reason, our ability to forgive, nor the moral compass that we posses. If call yourself a christian or believe you are somehow "his," this book might provide some critical information that will significantly change your perspective on his person and teachings. As the 'church' experience get's more and more like regular western entertainment, perhaps you can see the negative trend there and search for answers as to how to escape...perhaps the real, historical Person of Jesus of Nazareth really does have the answers? Tired of the fast food culture of the western world? Can you see the shallowness and emptiness of the 'please myself as my top principle of life' philosophy? Tired of the un-reasoning culture of much of the eastern world? Hopefully, perhaps even tired of the world? Out of all the 'great works of literature', are not the words, teachings and story of the person who is arguably one of the most influential and controversial figures in history, worth reading and considering? There is a single great adventure that waits for those with eyes to see. Just know, it is not an easy adventure, but rather a very difficult one, but the journey and results are more meaningful and satisfying than the greatest adventures the earth can provide. It all starts with giving Jesus of Nazareth your sincere and undivided attention. May this work - which contains his words, story and teachings - be the beginning of that journey. Enjoy! * "A deep, well executed and thought out approach on the diversion of belief - mainstream Christian biblical sacred teachings versus the actions and words/teachings of the first hand Jesus of Nazareth. "Mind bending insight that creates many questions (more than answers). By highlighting scriptures from the NASB, Spiess eats away through fads to get to facts to better understand true interpretation first hand. - Interesting points - Unique approach -Well written and good examples - Very in depth writing" Be sure to get my companion book, "Christianity: A Successful Failure, Finding Faith in an Age of Fear and Falsehood"