Kieren Barry has done the entire religious world a great service with this volume. In it he presents in a very readable form the definitive history of Qabalah, with a particular emphasis on origins.While religious readersmay take offense at his secular scholarly approach and certain conclusionshe reaches based on that approach, they should not use that as a reason toset the book aside. When those conclusions, derived from pre-conceivednotions of what can and cannot be with regard to true divinity, areignored, we have a masterfully told drama of the origin of man's attempt tounderstand God by means of scientific exploration.
The science inquestion is mathematics, and the results are predictable. God is created inman's image, and is discovered by man's knowledge, not be revelation. Thisis a fascinating story, and should not be overlooked, because it tells usmore about ourselves than about God.
At the same time, the seriousstudent of the Qabalistic mysteries should not overlook this book, whetherfor understanding of the number of the Beast of Revelation 13:17-18, or forhis own interest. Barry has conclusively shown all of the key elements ofthe techniques, and their origins, beginning with the Egyptians,Pythagoras, and eventually to Plato and the Gnostics. The Jews are notignored, but are shown to be latecomers, with the first real activity inthe 13th century AD.
Definitely a work not to be ignored.
Product Description
This study uses academic research to reach a conclusion many consider controversial - the Hebrew Qabalah has Greek origins. The author documents the use of the alphabet in philosophy, religion, oracles and magic in ancient history, focusing on the use of the qabalah in the Bible and Gnosticism.
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