In Beyond the Biography of Jesus: The Journey of Quadratos, Book I & II, Dr. Alexander Shaia offers a fresh and important interpretation of the traditional gospels and answers current controversies about the Christian scriptures.
He says, "the gospels are not four stories about Jesus' life. Rather, when read in their original sequence, they lead us through a spirit-filled, universal process of transformation and healing." Shaia names this path "The Journey of Quadratos," a progression he has identified within the core traditions of Christianity as well as those of most great faiths and spiritual practices.
In fact, he believes that underneath Centering Prayer, labyrinth walks, the Christian year, Celtic spirituality, and most psychological systems - lies the same blueprint - The Journey of Quadratos- Grace Cathedral
Bio
Rev. Alan Jones
Alan Jones, Ph.D., has been dean of Grace Cathedral in San Francisco since 1985.
Jones was formerly the director of the Center for Christian Spirituality and Stephen F. Bayne Professor of Ascetical Theology at General Theological Seminary in New York City. Born and educated in England, Jones was also on the staff of Trinity Institute of Wall Street's Trinity Church. He became a citizen of the United States in 1975.
Jones is the author of several books, most notably, Soul Making, The Desert Way of Spirituality, Passion for Pilgrimage and most recently, The Soul's Journey: Exploring the Three Passages of the Spiritual Life with Dante as a Guide. He is widely known as a gifted preacher and travels throughout the world preaching, lecturing, and leading retreats.
Dr. Alexander Shaia
Born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, Alexander Shaia grew up as part of a large, extended family that had emigrated from Lebanon a generation previously. He grew up with the traditions of an ancient religion - Maronite Catholicism - and was expected to become a priest, a family tradition since the year 1300. Alexander chose otherwise.
He attended the University of Notre Dame and received a degree in cultural anthropology. Next came a Master's in Counseling Education, a Master's in Religious Education, a graduate certificate in Pastoral Psychotherapy, and a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. Then Alexander traveled to Switzerland where he studied with the originator of Sandplay, Jungian Analyst, Dora Kalff, and spent additional time at the Jung Institute. Returning to the United States, many years of teaching, and study continued to build on a life-long practice of prayer.
Dr. Shaia is the founder and creative director of the Blue Door Retreat; a place dedicated to the practices of depth spirituality and the nurturing of soul. The center is committed to providing guest quarters with a rustic elegance, as well as retreats and trainings that integrate depth psychology, spiritual practice, and creative expression. The center also offers weekly and seasonal meditation practices in the spirit of depth Christianity.
Any of the four New Testament books narrating the life and death of Jesus. The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are placed at the beginning of the New Testament and make up about half its total text. Since the 18th century, the first three have been called the Synoptic Gospels, because they give similar accounts of the ministry of Jesus. The term is also applied to apocryphal works of the 2nd century (e.g., The Gospel of Thomas).
MORE CHRISTIAN GARBAGE: "Jesus" was not the name given by Mother and Father but by a a sad unhappy malaria driven hallucinations on the road to Damascus, LETS GET REAL the RABBI Hammered on the ROMAN CROSS is the weapon to kill more Jews. Yes this horrid identity stolen, 2000 years of Lies, A border less war is the endless war. Distortions of Jewish History from Christians, to Muslims to Protestants,all for WHAT? so you christians can DRONE YOUR WAY OUT KILL AT A DISTANCE LIKE THE RABBI ON THE CROSS: WASTE OF TIME! PLEASE TAKE OUT THE GARBAGE!
The same case can ofcourse be made about Judaism regarding its Zoroastrian origins. Inventing monotheism by the way is not something to be proud over. It should be lamented. At least polytheism offers some diversity in the 1984 nightmare.
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