Michael LaFond's Blog
May 8, 2022
Backwards logic
The scholars see that many of the texts contain advanced doctrines and indications of developed Church organization, and they do not believe that was possible in the earliest Church. Why?
The scholars have devised a logical theory that Christianity developed over a long time. Why?
They believe that it is more reasonable that Christianity developed by accidental means. Why?
They do not think that anyone would purposefully posit a radical theology like Christianity, and certainly Jesus could not. Why not?
Well, that part is unclear, because we have many examples of radical theologies being invented whole-cloth at once. In fact, most of the Gnostic religions were invented exactly in that manner. But scholars will not allow Jesus to create theology, nor the apostles for that matter, and so they ascribe the texts that offend their theory to later disciples of disciples.
They are defending their theory by censoring the evidence. They give this censorship a cloak of reasonability, but to be clear this methodology cannot be tested nor proven. The method only acquires authority and respectability by popularity amongst the scholars.
This is editing the evidence to fit the theory, which is clearly a fallacious method. It is backwards logic.
What if the New Testament is written mostly by the attributed authors? These scholars will never know because they have set aside the evidence.
Jesus Christ Divided starts with the opposite assumption--- that the traditions are probably right. Mostly, the texts themselves prove this assumption correct through an unexpected coincidence of details, although not entirely. But the backwards logic of modern scholars has been completely undermined by finding a narrative that does not exist until the texts are placed in order.
Without support for a long, slow development of ideas, the only conclusion left is that Jesus and the apostles were in fact Christians of a kind or another. And one of the texts, Revelation, states it plainly, once it is put in its proper context.
amazon.com/dp/B00JBPPYF6
April 28, 2022
Book Description
I have been working on mine off and on for a year. It has been agony! My book is nonfiction Christian, but I am a lay author without a strong platform. That means I have two strikes against me. Which readers should I try to attract, and how shall I attract them?
Today, I am excited because I think I have found exactly what I want, and I will share it with you:
"Must read! Striking dive-in into the depths of the New Testament..." —Reedsy Discovery
"...intriguing, thought-provoking work on the historical and theological development of Christianity..." —BlueInk Review
"...a fascinating read for those interested in early Christian history." —IndieReader Reviews
"This thoughtful, scholarly work takes Biblical criticism in a unique direction..." —The Book Review Directory
"A well-written reinterpretation of early Christian history..." —Kirkus Reviews
"LaFond’s enthusiasm is infectious. He lays out his ideas in the manner of a scholastic mystery... The result is a compelling text that ably makes its case:..." —Clarion Review
Find out the original meaning of the book of Revelation, the letters, and ultimately the Gospels.
The order of the books of the New Testament hides their real meaning. Jesus Christ Divided reorders the letters chronologically to reveal an amazing story, yielding secrets about early Christianity. Decipher symbols such as the First and Second Beasts of Revelation and the Man of Lawlessness. We can compare the gospels of the apostles and wonder at a betrayal greater than Judas. We can find proof that Jesus survived the Crucifixion, and he taught new and mystical doctrines. We will see prefigured in the apostles the ultimate split between Jewish and Gentile Christianity.
Solve the mystery!
❈❈❈❈❈Includes the Didache, the Epistle of Barnabas, and Paul's Letter to the Laodiceans.
Jesus Christ Divided: Solving the Mystery of the New Testament
April 18, 2022
DO NOT READ MY BOOK
Atheists and agnostics sometimes like my book, but when they do not it is because I do not insult the religion and religious people. Some atheists are evangelical, ironically, wanting to push an anti-Christian, anti-religion agenda. Jesus Christ Divided is not that book.
Some Christians like my book, happily, but when they do not it is because, as an authentic history, Jesus Christ Divided does differ with some of the Church story that was presented to them, forcing uncomfortable questions. Some Christians are fearful of questioning and prefer a book that reinforces only their orthodox judgments. This is not that book.
Whenever you seek to tell the unvarnished truth, as in a nonfiction history, some people are not going to like it. However, you know that you have succeeded in objectivity, when you anger some people from every philosophy and you also please some people from every philosophy.
My goal is that most of my readers will not be disappointed, and honesty is the only way to ensure that. Jesus Christ Divided is a challenging book, no doubt about it, but without being insulting. Challenging books are the most rewarding. Jesus Christ Divided is that book.
October 3, 2021
What's next?
When I wrote Jesus Christ Divided, I had to limit my focus to produce a readable book. That meant I had to set a lot of information aside and focus on the new discoveries that were proven beyond question. In doing so, I ignored the opinions and scholarly argumentation purposefully, because the reader has the evidence right in front of them. The scholarship became useless because the new evidence showed the truth beyond argument. However, this sleight of hand was not much appreciated by reviewers, as you can see:
The Book Review Directory
Nonetheless, even years later, I am happy with my choices. By avoiding many scholarly references, the reader sees the evidence directly and makes their own decision. The reader is not burdened with all the apparatus and can read more easily. Furthermore, the reviewers agree that I made my case and know my stuff, so why distract from the history with junk that I did not need anyway?
What I do regret is that Saint Paul deserves more respect for his heroic efforts, and I do not think that I emphasized that enough. I desired very much to appear objective and I did not give him the full praise he deserves. So, I am beginning a novel of historical nonfiction to bring his dramatic efforts into stronger relief."
