The Aquarian Gospel of Jesus Christ (eBook)

Levi H. Dowling (1844–1911) was an American preacher best known for authoring 'The Aquarian Gospel of Jesus Christ' (1908), a spiritual text that purports to detail the unknown life of Jesus Christ. Dowling claimed to have accessed the Akashic Records - a compendium of mystical knowledge supposedly encoded in a non-physical plane of existence - to write this work. 'The Aquarian Gospel' attempts to bridge the gaps in the New Testament, offering an expanded narrative of Jesus's life, including his travels in India, Persia, and Egypt, and his encounters with Eastern sages. Dowling's theological exploration is emblematic of New Age syncretism, a movement that sought to harmonize Western and Eastern spirituality at the turn of the 20th century. A Civil War chaplain turned healer, Dowling spent forty years in the study of the divine laws and claimed his writing was an effort to transcribe the records of the spiritual chronicles of Jesus. While his work never achieved canonical recognition, it continues to intrigue believers and scholars interested in esoteric Christian texts. Despite its controversial nature, 'The Aquarian Gospel' stands as a testament to Dowling's enduring interest in the mystical aspects of Jesus Christ's teachings and life. Critics often discuss this piece within the larger conversation about non-traditional scriptures and the movements they inspire, particularly their role in the development of New Age religious thought. (Dowling, L.H. (1908). The Aquarian Gospel of Jesus Christ. London: Eva S. Dowling.)