This book is an extensive reworking of the Jesus story with strong Theosophical and Spiritualist influences. Of interest is the attempt to fill in the two decade gap in the Jesus's traditional biography. According to Dowling, Jesus spent a lot of time in the mystical East where he learned esoteric methods from the masters, while rebelling against the caste system. The narrative, unfortunately, has numerous historical inconsistencies, including Jesus meeting historical figures who lived hundreds of years before or after the first century, e.g. Mencius. The book has Jesus studying in India in the Orissa area; while this is an historically important ceremonial area, it didn't come into prominence until nearly a millenium later. In addition, this work appears to be derivative of The Unknown Life of Jesus Christ.
None of this lessens the charm or the esoteric insight of this book. Nor should its subterranean impact on popular spirituality in the United States be underestimated. The Aquarian Gospel was rediscovered during the spiritual ferment of the 1960s; a beat-up paperback copy of this book was de rigeur in every hippie pad, and it no doubt played an unsung role in naming the 'Age of Aquarius'. The Aquarian Gospel was probably one of the catalysts for the 'Jesus freak' movement. Although they would never admit it, many a staid evangelical Christian probably had their spiritual awakening while browsing this book in a head shop.--J.B. Hare
Author(s): Levi H. Dowling (Author), Eva Dowling (Author), Eva S. Dowling (Introduction)
Year: 2009
Language: English
Pages: 308
Editorial Reviews
Review
"A restored classic! This one has truly withstood the test of time. The original copyright date is 1908. (I discovered it in the late 1980’s.) This new edition is based on the earliest existing version (1911). I still refer to it often when I teach. I’m delighted to have this new, restored edition on my shelf."
—Anna Jedrziewski, InannaWorks.com
About the Author
LEVI (Levi H. Dowling) was born May 18, 1844 in Belleville, Ohio. His father, of Scotch-Welsh descent, was a pioneer preacher among the Disciples of Christ. Levi, following in his father s footsteps, began preaching at the age of sixteen; and at the age of eighteen was pastor of a small church. He entered the US Army as a Chaplain and served in this capacity to the end of the Civil War. By 1866 he was a student at Northwestern Christian University in Indianapolis, Indiana where he soon began publishing Sunday School literature. After graduation, he studied at two medical colleges and went on to practice medicine for a number of years. After his retirement from medicine in the early 1900 s, Levi resumed his literary work and began to organize THE AQUARIAN GOSPEL OF JESUS THE CHRIST for publication. Levi passed from earth-life on August 13, 1911.
