Author Kania offers a stunning premise regarding the Christian religion and its central figure, Jesus Christ, in this wide-ranging treatise. The book’s basic theme is that the Christianity that has pervaded the world and garnered millions of followers is “theologically bankrupt.” A credible version of Christianity would be inclusive, embracing all world religions and their founders (known as avatars), and be based on the few facts that are known about Jesus as a real person. Kania points out that there are no eyewitness accounts concerning the life of Jesus; writings about him did not emerge until after his death. The complex Christian organizations that have evolved, operating in today’s world, are largely centered on gathering members, collecting funds, and making empty spiritual promises to their congregations.

Using material from a large body of sources—professors, philosophers, scientists, and even comedians—Kania builds the rational case for seeing Jesus not as a teacher or preacher but as a spiritual guide who spoke in parables and whose purpose, like that of Zoroaster, Buddha, and other God-imbued incarnations, is to promote unity, love, spiritual realization and universal principles for all. Kania’s professional and religious background is remarkable for its breadth, clearly contributing to his understanding of the issues he raises. Raised in the Russian Orthodox Church, he served in the US Air Force, attained degrees in science and divinity, and has worked as a psychotherapist, a church-based youth director, and a counselor in the Billy Graham Crusade. He has researched his subject extensively, offering a lengthy bibliography for his audience’s benefit. He urges his readers to diligently examine, as he does, the traditional tenets of Christian teaching, a process that will lead, he asserts, to “saving Jesus” from misconceptions and uncovering his true identity as a universal spiritual exemplar not bound by rituals and creeds.

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