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

Mark Townsend's profile page

Matthew Fox is the Associate Editor of Maisonneuve Magazine in Montreal. He holds a Master of Fine Arts from the New School University in New York, and a B.A. from Concordia University in Montreal. His work has been previously published in The Toronto Star, A Room at the Heart of Things, La Petite Zine, Maisonneuve, and Wascana Review. Matthew currently lives in Montreal.

Matthew Fox's profile page

Barbara Erskine is an English novelist. She was born in Nottingham in 1944. Her father was World War II Battle of Britain flying ace Squadron Leader Nigel Rose. Erskine is the author of a number of bestselling novels and collections of short stories dealing with both history and the supernatural.

Barbara Erskine's profile page

"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

"Compelling and provocative...a major contribution to freeing Christianity to live in the world that is emerging."—John Shelby Spong, author of Rescuing the Bible from Fundamentalism

"Whether Pagan, Jewish, Christian or other you will be amazed and inspired by this book."—Uri Gellar

"A truly remarkable work...I found myself asking 'Why did I never see this before?'"—Rev. Roger McLellan, Co-founder & Moderator of the Progressive Christian Alliance

"A must read for any Christian who is open to discovering the pagan mysteries that inform so much of the Christian myth."—Rev. Bruce Sanguin, author of If Darwin Prayed

"This is a quite remarkable work, which reveals the figure of Jesus from most unusual and fascinating perspectives, and it is likely to have value to convinced Christians, Pagans, and agnostics alike."—Prof. Ronald Hutton, author of Triumph of the Moon

"There are knowledge transmitters—and then there are knowledge makers who have the courage, skill, and experience to put things together in new and revelatory ways. Knowledge makers reconfigure our minds, our eyes, and our ears to receive bigger and better things. Mark Townsend is doing just that."—Fr. Richard Rohr, O.F.M., founding director of the Center for Action and Contemplation