A Victor Garaffa

Jesus of Nazareth: Revisited A Victor Garaffa

Publisher Marketing: In the course of a history that extends over two thousand years, the 'Church' has formulated and expanded certain theological positions that, by historical standards, cannot be proven. They are a compilation of theological and doctrinal assumption formulated to cement a position taken by the 'Church' in a matter of 'faith'; a belief in the dogma associated with Messiah, namely Jesus who was called the Christ. However, the true historic treasure that has lain hidden 'before our very eyes' for two thousand years has been ignored by the religious 'body politic' and has denied the Gospel facts concerning the priestly implications caused by the birth of both Jesus and John the Baptizer. In effect, the clergy has ignored the biblical message of the Christ and failed to deliver to its general congregations the true character of both Jesus and John. The purpose of this thesis is to challenge the position of the 'Church' and its scholars who present a 'birth in danger' narrative due to an ancient cult legend whose existence is doubted by many scholars. It is meant to present a true picture of the historical Jesus and his impact on the known world in the first century due to the overwhelming political dilemma caused by his, and John's, birth. It changes the entire structure of our knowledge of the Christ and the influence he and John had within Palestine and the Judaic priesthood of the first century. It also imparts to those who would follow the Christ's path a new course to travel evidenced by the events of his own era in history. It provides additional impulse to Jesus' Messiahship as it reveals him not only as a sacrifice for sin, but his and John's role as pretenders to the office of High Priest after the order of Aaron; the Levitical priesthood.