Jesus Through Pagan Eyes: Bridging Neopagan Perspectives with a Progressive Vision of Christ

For Pagans and Christians alike, Jesus Through Pagan Eyes offers a provocative portrait ofJesus—as a compassionate, life-affirming, nature-inspired spiritual teacher, freed from the limiting ideology of the Church. Rev. Mark Townsend sets the stage by exploring the historical evidence of who Jesus was as a human being before delving into the realm of metaphor and mythology, the notion of Christ, and the Church's conception of Jesus as Christ.

The heart of this unique book lies in the thoughtful and deeply moving collection of stories, essays, and interviews about Jesus from today's most respected Pagan, Wiccan, and Druidic leaders. Contributors such as Maxine Sanders, Christopher Penczak, Janet Farrar, Diana Paxson, Philip Carr-Gomm, Oberon Zell-Ravenheart, John Michael Greer, Selena Fox, and Raven Grimassi explore the historical figure of Jesus in relation to Witchcraft, the tarot, goddess worship, and shamanism—while illustrating how this god of the Christian church blesses and inspires those who embrace non-traditional spiritual paths.

Whether you envision Jesus as an ascended master, a human teacher, or a mythic god-man, this remarkable book will introduce you to a Jesus who fits fully into the Pagan imagination. 

Praise:

"Townsend uses Jesus to initiate dialogue, and he does so in way that is accepting and inclusive of many understandings and interpretations of Jesus, his purpose, and his relevance (or irrelevance) in the religious practices of contemporary Pagans." —Huffington Post

"This work admirably promotes understanding between belief systems that have a sometimes uneasy relationship."—Publishers Weekly 


1110782266
Jesus Through Pagan Eyes: Bridging Neopagan Perspectives with a Progressive Vision of Christ

For Pagans and Christians alike, Jesus Through Pagan Eyes offers a provocative portrait ofJesus—as a compassionate, life-affirming, nature-inspired spiritual teacher, freed from the limiting ideology of the Church. Rev. Mark Townsend sets the stage by exploring the historical evidence of who Jesus was as a human being before delving into the realm of metaphor and mythology, the notion of Christ, and the Church's conception of Jesus as Christ.

The heart of this unique book lies in the thoughtful and deeply moving collection of stories, essays, and interviews about Jesus from today's most respected Pagan, Wiccan, and Druidic leaders. Contributors such as Maxine Sanders, Christopher Penczak, Janet Farrar, Diana Paxson, Philip Carr-Gomm, Oberon Zell-Ravenheart, John Michael Greer, Selena Fox, and Raven Grimassi explore the historical figure of Jesus in relation to Witchcraft, the tarot, goddess worship, and shamanism—while illustrating how this god of the Christian church blesses and inspires those who embrace non-traditional spiritual paths.

Whether you envision Jesus as an ascended master, a human teacher, or a mythic god-man, this remarkable book will introduce you to a Jesus who fits fully into the Pagan imagination. 

Praise:

"Townsend uses Jesus to initiate dialogue, and he does so in way that is accepting and inclusive of many understandings and interpretations of Jesus, his purpose, and his relevance (or irrelevance) in the religious practices of contemporary Pagans." —Huffington Post

"This work admirably promotes understanding between belief systems that have a sometimes uneasy relationship."—Publishers Weekly 


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Jesus Through Pagan Eyes: Bridging Neopagan Perspectives with a Progressive Vision of Christ

Jesus Through Pagan Eyes: Bridging Neopagan Perspectives with a Progressive Vision of Christ

Jesus Through Pagan Eyes: Bridging Neopagan Perspectives with a Progressive Vision of Christ

Jesus Through Pagan Eyes: Bridging Neopagan Perspectives with a Progressive Vision of Christ

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Overview

For Pagans and Christians alike, Jesus Through Pagan Eyes offers a provocative portrait ofJesus—as a compassionate, life-affirming, nature-inspired spiritual teacher, freed from the limiting ideology of the Church. Rev. Mark Townsend sets the stage by exploring the historical evidence of who Jesus was as a human being before delving into the realm of metaphor and mythology, the notion of Christ, and the Church's conception of Jesus as Christ.

The heart of this unique book lies in the thoughtful and deeply moving collection of stories, essays, and interviews about Jesus from today's most respected Pagan, Wiccan, and Druidic leaders. Contributors such as Maxine Sanders, Christopher Penczak, Janet Farrar, Diana Paxson, Philip Carr-Gomm, Oberon Zell-Ravenheart, John Michael Greer, Selena Fox, and Raven Grimassi explore the historical figure of Jesus in relation to Witchcraft, the tarot, goddess worship, and shamanism—while illustrating how this god of the Christian church blesses and inspires those who embrace non-traditional spiritual paths.

Whether you envision Jesus as an ascended master, a human teacher, or a mythic god-man, this remarkable book will introduce you to a Jesus who fits fully into the Pagan imagination. 

Praise:

"Townsend uses Jesus to initiate dialogue, and he does so in way that is accepting and inclusive of many understandings and interpretations of Jesus, his purpose, and his relevance (or irrelevance) in the religious practices of contemporary Pagans." —Huffington Post

"This work admirably promotes understanding between belief systems that have a sometimes uneasy relationship."—Publishers Weekly 



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Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780738731650
Publisher: Llewellyn Worldwide, LTD.
Publication date: 06/08/2012
Sold by: Barnes & Noble
Format: eBook
Pages: 408
Sales rank: 392,350
File size: 2 MB

About the Author

A former clergyman in the Church of England, Reverend Mark Townsend now leads his own inclusive and ecumenical ministry that nourishes a strong appreciation for the diversity of faith beyond Christianity, and which strives to honor the divine in all people, regardless of their faith, culture, sexuality or background.

A priest of the Open Episcopal Church and member of the Progressive Christian Alliance, in addition to being a member of the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids, the author has been featured on the BBC and several other news programs throughout Britain. He is the author of The Gospel of Falling Down, and Jesus Outside the Box (O Books). He lives in Hereford, England.

Find out more at: http://www.marktownsendministry.co.uk.

Table of Contents

Contents

 

Acknowledgements

 

Preface – by Barbara Erskine

 

Foreword – Welcoming this Book, by Matthew Fox

 

Introduction - ‘Divine’ Babies and ‘Dirty’ Bath Water

 

Part One – The Naked Nazarene!

 

Chapter 1) The Tri-part Jesus

 

Chapter 2) Will the real Mr. Jesus please stand up!

 

Chapter 3) The Naked Jesus

 

Chapter 4) I am not the way (and other ‘alternative to the church’ Jesus wisdom)

 

Chapter 5) Jesus and the Tarot Twelve card.

 

Chapter 6) Reclaiming Jesus Christ

 

Chapter 7) The Cosmic Christ

 

Part Two – Jesus Through Pagan Eyes - A selection of stories and essays by Respected Pagan Elders

 

Chapter 8) Jesus: a view from the earth, by Emma Restall Orr

 

Chapter 9) A Witch’s Tale of Christmas, by Reni at ‘Spells and Witchcraft.’

 

Chapter 10) A Confession, by Adele Nozedar

 

Chapter 11) The gift of Jesus to Pagans and Christians, by Joyce Higginbotham

 

Chapter 12) Jesus Through the Eyes of a Witch, by Christopher Penczak

 

Chapter 13) The Lily Cross and the Green Man, by Maria Ede-Weaving

 

Chapter 14) A Goddess Advocate Talks about Jesus, by Karen Tate

 

Chapter 15) The Shamanic Christ, by James Carrington

 

Chapter 16) Encountering the Galilean, by Stephen Critchley

 

Chapter 17) The God from the House of Bread, by John Michael Greer

 

Chapter 18) Jesus, Horse of God, by Diana L. Paxson

 

Chapter 19) I Have No Temple, A Consideration of Jesus as a Pagan Teacher of Gnosis,

by Marcus Katz

 

Chapter 20) The Fertile Christ, by Philip Carr-Gomm

 

Chapter 21) Jesus and the Devil’s Picture Book, by Sarah Kral

 

Chapter 22) Soul Friends - A Wiccan / Jesus based Spirituality, by Erin Dragonsong

 

Part Three – Thirteen Interviews with Respected Pagan Elders

 

Chapter 23 - Maxine Sanders

 

Chapter 24 - Selena Fox

 

Chapter 25 - Raven Digitalis

 

Chapter 26 - Sorita D’Este

 

Chapter 27 - Caitlín Matthews

 

Chapter 28 - Janet Farrar

 

Chapter 29 - Gavin Bone

 

Chapter 30 - Oberon Zell-Ravenheart

 

Chapter 31 - Cassandra Eason

 

Chapter 32 - Raven Grimassi

 

Chapter 33 - Scott Blunt

 

Chapter 34 - Kerr Cuhulain

 

Chapter 35 – Gill Edwards

 

Conclusion

Epilogue – A Druid Magician and the Son of God, by Rob Chapman

 

Bibliography

 

Footnotes

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