The Second Messiah

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View books by Christopher Knight, Robert Lomas.

Very original for a Turin Shroud book - Rated
I was given this book as a gift, and was impressed at its orginality. I have encountered many a Shroud theory before but the idead presented in this book and the research that went into them make it an extremely interesting read, and I have re-read it many times. I had no background knowledge of Freemasonry, but this didn't matter too much as the bits they drew on were well explained. The only thing that stopped me from giving it 5 stars was that I hadn't read the authors' previous book, 'The Hiram Key'; this book referred to it frequently and seemed to assume that its readers would have done so.

All in all I would definitely reccommend this to anyone interested in religious conspiracy theories as it it well written, well researched and utterly captivating.

Support to explain the Shroud as Medieval - Rated
I thought this book was bold and well researched. Aware of the scientific set backs (carbon dating) in establishing the Shroud of Turin as the burial shroud of Jesus, this alternative explanation made perfect sense! This book has inspired me to accept more reason in my spirituality. I truly have trouble accepting the biblical miracles as true. (i.e. Immaculate conception, raising the dead, resurrection etc.) It is of some comfort to read a perfectly rational explanation for the politics behind promoting religious myths of miracles and supernatural events. I wish more books debunked the miracles and supernatural events of the bible with learned academic research exposing the reality behind the story. Books by Laurence Gardner come to mind. This is not a good read for the religious apologist or follower of blind faith.

I will never view Friday the 13th the same way again!

Have they arrived there? - Rated
All research books are written as a journey which arrives at this place, while the cynics suspect they decided on the sellable outcome and engineered the research in order to arrive there.

I actually suspect this case is genuine, haveing read the interesting prequel a coupe of times and had an interest in their interests.

It is interestingly written despite the detailed foray into history. Whenit came to getting to a conclusion they decided to go for what was likely rather than proven, and as such I am not convinced their conclusions about where the Shroud of Turin came from is true. But it is a valid theory, and I want them to do more research into this.

The Templar research is fascinating - OK I'm biased because I was already int that area of history, but it's properly researched, interesting, and their masonic interests take them a little bit further.

It deserved 5 stars and I felt was worth a second read.

Interesting - Rated
Book: The Second Messiah
Writer: Christopher Knight & Robert Lomas
Style: Hardback
Length: 259 pages
Rating: *** (3 stars, good)

The book asks some hard questions for hard core Christians. Questions like, is the Bible the true word of God? Should it be considered to bring forth the only true form of Christianity? What happened during the “missing years” right after the crucifixion of Jesus? Did Peter or Jesus’ brother James actually lead the “approved” church of Jesus Christ. How do the two differ and why would or could the wrong on prevail? Why is there no record in the Bible of the almost annihilation of the Jews (God’s chosen people) by the Roman’s? These are some of the tough questions asked in the first chapter alone.

Through painstaking research many of the questions are answered in with historical reference. There is quite a case presented for the “Shroud of Turin” being the image of a master mason and not that of Jesus Christ. Read the history of the shroud that was tracked down along with the many missing years and it’s first documented appearance. Find out the origin of the Temple in Roslyn Scotland.

This book also offers much of the history of the freemasons and the persecution and flight from Jerusalem to Scotland and their spread across the world. It offers historical and analytical presentations on many subjects involving and surrounding Christianity. The book was enjoyable as one of many possibilities involving Christianity over the years. There are many books out there regarding the subject of Christianity’s evolution and this should be read as only one of the many.

It goes without saying that this book will offend many. It will be written off as hogwash by many. But I believe that any student of Christianity, Religions or Freemasonry should certainly read it. Read it with an open mind and consider what is presented before passing judgment on the book.

SIMPLY BRILLIANT - Rated
This is the second of a series of four books co-authoured by Knight and Lomas. Of the four it is the shortest yet probably, in my opinion, the most shocking and interesting.

Extremely well researched and very well written this controversial book is a must read for those interested in the Knights Templar or Jesus Christ. However you need to be open minded about the Christian faith as it will leave the reader with a completely altered view of the historical Jesus. Never again will you think of the original messiah in the same light. That said you may find it strengthening your Christian beliefs.

I would however strongly recommend reading the 'Hiram Key' by the same authors first to help set the scene. After the Second Messiah you will want to carry on by reading Uriel's Machine and the Book of Hiram which continue to develop Knight and Lomas's theories and findings.