Madonna and Child with an Angel, Sandro Botticelli [16th cent.] (Public Domain Image)

The Aquarian Gospel of Jesus the Christ By Levi H. Dowling Introduction by Eva S. Dowling [1920]

This book is an extensive reworking of the Jesus story with strong Theosophical and Spiritualist influences. Of interest is the attempt to fill in the two decade gap in the Jesus's traditional biography. According to Dowling, Jesus spent a lot of time in the mystical East where he learned esoteric methods from the masters, while rebelling against the caste system. The narrative, unfortunately, has numerous historical inconsistencies, including Jesus meeting historical figures who lived hundreds of years before or after the first century, e.g. Mencius. The book has Jesus studying in India in the Orissa area; while this is an historically important ceremonial area, it didn't come into prominence until nearly a millenium later. In addition, this work appears to be derivative of The Unknown Life of Jesus Christ.

None of this lessens the charm or the esoteric insight of this book. Nor should its subterranean impact on popular spirituality in the United States be underestimated. The Aquarian Gospel was rediscovered during the spiritual ferment of the 1960s; a beat-up paperback copy of this book was de rigeur in every hippie pad, and it no doubt played an unsung role in naming the 'Age of Aquarius'. The Aquarian Gospel was probably one of the catalysts for the 'Jesus freak' movement. Although they would never admit it, many a staid evangelical Christian probably had their spiritual awakening while browsing this book in a head shop.

Section I: Aleph: Birth and Early Life of Mary, Mother of Jesus

Section II: Beth: Birth and Infancy of the Harbinger, and of Jesus

Section III: Gimel: Education of Mary and Elizabeth in Zoan

Section IV: Daleth: Childhood and Early Education of John the Harbinger

Section V: He: Childhood and Early Education of Jesus

Section VI: Vau: Life and Works of Jesus in India

Section VII: Zain: Life and Works of Jesus in Tibet and Western India

Section VIII: Cheth: Life and Works of Jesus in Persia

Section IX: Teth: Life and Works of Jesus in Assyria

Section X: Jod: Life and Works of Jesus in Greece

Section XI: Caph: Life and Works of Jesus in Egypt

Section XII: Lamed: The Council of the Seven Sages of the World

Section XIII: Mem: The Ministry of John the Harbinger

Section XIV: Nun: The Christine Ministry of Jesus--Introductory Epoch

Section XV: Samech: The First Annual Epoch of the Christine Ministry of Jesus

Section XVI: Ain: The Second Annual Epoch of the Christine Ministry of Jesus

Section XVII: Pe: The Third Annual Epoch of the Christine Ministry of Jesus

Section XVIII: Tzaddi: The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus

Section XIX: Koph: The Trial and Execution of Jesus

Section XX: Resh: The Resurrection of Jesus

Section XXI: Schin: Materialisation of the Spiritual Body of Jesus

Section XXII: Tau: Establishment of the Christine Church