Jesus the Phoenician

A first class analysis and explanation of who Jesus was and on what his ministry is based. The book investigates historical, geographic, theological and textual/canonical sources in order to elucidate "traditional understanding" if I might put it that way and in order to create the foundation for the author's conclusions. His primary conclusion is, of course, his initial contention that Jesus was a Gentile out of Galilee and not a Jew out of Judea and who is related to a god other than Jehovah.I attempt to live my life in accordance with Proverbs 9:9 and so even though I found some of the book to be the antithesis of what I "know" I accepted that the author is sincere in his descriptions and explanations thus encouraging me to read on. I spent quite a long time getting through the book because I wanted to double-check a number of his statements and also some of his sources that he references in the book. Time and again I ended up agreeing with him! (I rarely change my mind but I sometimes rearrange my prejudices - well on more than a few occasions because of what I read in this book, I changed my mind!)For my own part I was always confused as to why the God of the Old Testament encouraged war and destruction and required death penalties for his followers so frequently, yet the God of the New Testament is a loving and forgiving God. The explanation given to me by Christian ministers never rang true - now it does. I wondered why Jesus retreated from Judea to Tyre, Sidon and other Gentile cities so frequently - now it's rather obvious. I wondered why In John's gospel, for example after Lazarus is raised, Jesus is cautioned about going back to "the Jews" who want to stone him to death instead of staying where it's safe - if he was a Jew why would his disciples refer to the Jews as though they are "foreigners"? And I never understood why the Bible would refer to Jesus as a high priest from the line of Melchisedic - now I know.There are many contradictions and inconsistencies in the Bible (many referenced in Thomas Paine's 'The Age of Reason' but many more which are not) and this book goes a very long way to explaining and making real sense out of them.I congratulate the author on a fine piece of work and I recommend this book to anyone who is in search of the truth.It might be worth mentioning that the book's author is a Christian himself and so has researched and written the book from "within the fold"

This book is not light reading. One must be truly a seeker to remain focused to the end. I am a seeker. It has taken time because there is so much information provided, my brain needed time to process and regroup. He does not disclaim Jesus as the son of god nor does he deny his miracles, death and resurrection. With great reverence to the Christ, Mr. Koussa questions the human identity that has been assigned to Jesus in history. He has also presented evidence that the Christian Jesus served a different deity than that of the characters of the Old Testament. I have always been baffled at how the God of Abraham Moses, and David could harshly destroyed thousands with merely a word while the God of the New Testament instructed love, forgiveness and tolerance. If for no other reason this provided for me, reason to ponder his interpretation. It inspires me to re-read the new Testament in this light as well as research religious history of the Gentile ancient peoples.

I like this book. The author makes a good argument that Jesus was not a Jew nor did he speak Hebrew. I always knew Jesus was a Galilean and spoke Aramaic. I did not know there were two Bethlehem's. I also knew that Jesus did not "follow" Jewish laws as it pertains to the Sabbath and other restrictions. I knew Jesus did not need nor prompt Moses' laws. The only law Jesus promoted was love they neighbor as thyself. If one truly does this, one cannot break any law. However, the author's book, a guide really, allowed me to pulled all this information together which I already knew but because of my poor geographical knowledge of the region, did not fathom. I was disappointed that the author did not tie the information coming out of Sumeria, as the oldest civilization with a written record, of that region. El, the God of Love, I believe, emanated out of Sumeria, to Babylonia and the Phoenicians. Important to me are the eastern Magi that brought Frankincense Myrrh. and gold to the infant Jesus. Two of which are resins, most often used in burial rituals, one of which might be needed to purchase a crypt. The Magi knew at his birth who Jesus was and the outcome of his ministry. They honored him indeed. So although I think the author pushes too hard on the Phoenician angle, not that he is incorrect, but in so doing he left out some very important facts. I recommend any reputable book on Sumeria, Babylonia and Phoenicia and this book and then re-read the New Testament with new lenses, It will give you a different perspective of the whole region and who Jesus was and where he came from.

Jesus the Phoenician by Karim El KoussaThis is a NECESSARY BOOK; by that I mean, it is a book that you, if you are serious about religion and history, must buy and read. This book calls into question who wrote the Old Testament, what was really in the Middle East and where, and who Jesus was and from whence he came; this book will upset a lot of people, but not those who are always searching for the truth at all costs.This book is thoroughly researched, thoroughly documented, and proves things that will open your mind—there is more here than I can write of but among the most important matters he brings forth evidence for is: 1. Jesus was not a Jew; 2. the Old Testament saying that Jews are the Chosen People is not from God but their own invention; 3. Why Jesus left certain areas and why his disciples called Jews “foreigners”; 4. what we know as The Old Testament existed before Moses and that Moses claimed something that was not his. I could go on with other examples, but I feel it is best that you read the book and draw your own conclusions; however, I am sure when you finish reading this groundbreaking work you will vote on Mr. El Koussa’s side, that what he has brought forth is an important, truthful and very important book about Jesus and the real spirit of Christianity.Professor Sam Hamod, Ph.D. (Princeton University, ret.)

I used the book to verify certain impressions I had received during a unique trip to North Israel many years ago. I have a deep interest in the early Christians and this book gives explicit information about the likely location of Jesus, Mary Magdalen and his other followers.I felt the book contains a lot of truth (I am an empath).Fortunately I also hold a certificate in Theology from Edinburgh University so I was able to follow a lot of the argument. Kharim has written in great detail and especially in the early chapters you have to pay attention to the way he builds his case.I also have a background in deciphering very early glyphs that predate the Hebrew language. These were sacred glyphs indeed.To me there is not any point in being divisive if it can be avoided-and I did find at times in the book repeated and passionate dismissals of various historical facts connected with the Bible. The overall effect led me to feel there was a dearth of investigation as to anything outside the author's native land that could relate to the Christ authentically. I do believe that there are beneficial messages in the Hebrew documents too in that they conceal spiritual light codes too. I am unfortunately totally ignorant of Aramaic apart from the Lord's Prayer that I recite, and I am sense there is a higher spiritual truth in that language too, when examining spiritual texts.Overall I felt the book did much to address the origins of Jesus. A further book looking at the way these Middle Eastern families may have branched out into the far western fringes of Europe would interest me, particularly as I feel the British/Irish Culdees and the (perhaps non-Jewish) Essenes were tied. I would like to know more about these non-Jewish Essenes he wrote of.Even though I seem to be criticizing the book a little I recognise the immense amount of research that was put into writing it. I also think the communication style was a bit clumsy at times but English is not Kharim's native tongue and he brings an intelligence applied to a systematic approach to research. This book moreover is of immense importance in setting the record straight as we move into the fairly new millennium. It is not for the feint-hearted seeker. It has true grit within its pages.

Makes a good and reasoned argument to question the origins on the religion. A very interesting and enjoyable read from a different perspective - shedding more light on the subject. eg the gods of the new and old testament are clearly not the same god....look at the character, words and deeds of both these gods and it is obvious. It would be great if more people could read this

Very enlightening and well written. Everyone should read the real truth about christ.

This book is definitely worth a read, it is very interesting. Recommended!

There is no doubt that this book is extremely well researched. It comes across as very thorough. My only reservation is the writing style which, at times, comes across as too insistent. (That is why I'm only comfortable giving 3 stars instead of 4.) It is, however, very thought-provoking and worth reading with an open mind.