Jesus an Essene

by Edward Planta Nesbit

Edward Planta Nesbit (d. 1900) was a schoolmaster, author and land agent in Angaston, South Australia, during the 19th century. Aside from a thin book of poetry, this was the only book of his which ever saw print.

171 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 26, 2009

Reviews

[Frans Vermeiren · Rating 4 out of 5]

During my decades long research on the origins of Christianity it has become clear to me that Jesus was an Essene. Therefore I was pleasantly surprised when I discovered this book with the explicit title ‘Jesus an Essene’. The opening sentences of the preface were quite recognizable: ‘Christianity, its rise, progress and influence on the human race, must necessarily ever cause the deepest interest among thinking men. In the present day, in particular, reflecting persons in various parts of Christendom appear to be moved by one common spirit to examine the foundations of the faith in which they have been brought up.’

This ‘present day’ is the year 1894, long before the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls, which have greatly contributed to the exposure of the close link between Essenism and Christianity. Planta Nesbit only had the accounts of Josephus on the Essenes and of Philo on the Therapeutae (the name of the Essenes in Egypt) at his disposal to bring Jesus forward as an Essene, and he does so con brio.

For example Planta Nesbit convincingly counters the objection that the Essenes are never mentioned by name in the Gospels, contrary to the Pharisees and the Sadducees. The Essenes are not mentioned because Jesus as well as his disciples and the Gospel writers were Essenes. As the Gospels were written from an evidently Essene viewpoint, there was no need to say ‘we are Essenes’.

Apart from this central theme Plana Nesbit makes some digressions which show his critical, independent mind. This is what makes this kind of books so liberating. The atmosphere of 'Jesus an Essene' reminds me of 'The Court-Martial of Jesus – A Christian Defends the Jews against the Charge of Deicide' written by the German lawyer Weddig Fricke.

A minus is the compactness of this edition, and the bizarre numeration of the footnotes. It took a lot of effort to match the text with the corresponding footnotes.

[Susan Mills · Rating 1 out of 5]

A THEORY ON CHRISTIANITY'S ROOTS

The author is obviously sincere in his arguments. However, most of his theory is SUPPOSITION and is as solid as a piece of Swiss cheese. This work is aimed as discrediting Jesus and Christians will see through its numerous holes easily.

[Alysha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Learned alot!