The Jesus Sutras: Rediscovering the Lost Scrolls of Taoist Christianity
 

The Jesus Sutras: Rediscovering the Lost Scrolls of Taoist Christianity

by Martin Palmer

It's no secret that there were Christians in China as far back as the seventh century. But exactly what they believed has been difficult to discern. In his book The Jesus Sutras, translator and interfaith pioneer Martin Palmer begins to shed light on what he has come to call Taoist Christianity, referring to ancient texts found only a century ago and drawing on his own sleuthing in China.... (read more)

Top tags: historyreligionreligion & spiritualitysacred writingseastern thought (all tags)

 

Member Reviews

  • CDXY
    • Rated 4 stars

    Remarkable! "The Jesus Sutras" may well sound like the title of yet another lame East/West syncretism New Age book, but the actual sutras were written during the 7th century. Apparently, Christian missionaries from the Assyrian Church of the East were astute enough to recognize the overlappings between some of the teachings of Jesus and Taoist and Buddhist thought. Instead of declaring those philosophies de facto heretical they prefered to adapt the Christian message to the far eastern sensibilities. The result was a set of beautiful texts harmoniously blending two currents of spirituality. The book offers a historical context for the sutras as well as the story of their discovery and a translation in English of their content. I recommend it highly.

    CDXY wrote this review Tuesday, February 26 2008. ( reply | permalink )
  • Jimmy M
    • Rated 4 stars

    This is a really interesting story on the discovery of the writings, monastery and other relics of the Nestorian Christian missionaries in China in the 7th century. It contains the full text of what the author calls the "Jesus Sutras" - the writings of these missionaries. The author isn't evangelical, but the dialogue is well worth your engagement.

    Jimmy M wrote this review Monday, November 5 2007. ( reply | permalink )
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