James David Audlin - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
James David Audlin is a scholar and author, originally from northern New York state, now living in Panama after previously living in France.
He holds degrees from Eisenhower College (Rochester Institute of Technology) and Andover Newton. A retired pastor and university professor, his best known nonfiction book is "The Circle of Life", a study of Native American philosophy and spirituality. His most popular novel is "Rats Live on no Evil Star", also available in French ("Palindrome") and Spanish ("Palíndromo"), in his own translations.
However, Audlin is recognized most for his massive five-volume restoration of the original version of the Gospel of John, translating it afresh from Greek and Aramaic, with several hundred pages of textual history and commentary. "The Writings of John", the Presbyter's shorter works, is also in publication. The Revelation will follow, from the Aramaic not the Greek, and finally a book of the Presbyter's erotic spiritual poetry, in Aramaic, about Jesus and Mary meeting at the resurrection.
Audlin has besides written about a dozen novels, several full-length plays, several books of stories, a book of essays, a book of poetry, and two travel memoirs, all published by Editores Volcán Barú.
A slightly irreverent author interview conducted by Holly Jahangiri may be found at: http://jahangiri.us/2013/author-interview-james-david-audlin/
SCHOLARLY BOOKS BY JAMES DAVID AUDLIN
Circle of Life: Traditional Teachings of Native American Elders. Abridged Edition. James David Audlin (Distant Eagle). New York and Santa Fe: Clear Light Publishers, 2006.
The Circle of Life: A Memoir of Traditional Native American Teachings. Complete Edition. James David Audlin (Distant Eagle). Paso Ancho, Panamá: Editores Volcán Barú, 2012.
The Gospel of John: The Original Version Restored and Translated. Two Volumes. James David Audlin. Paso Ancho, Panamá: Editores Volcán Barú, 2013-15.
The Writings of John: The Original Versions Restored and Translated. James David Audlin. Paso Ancho, Panamá: Editores Volcán Barú, 2014-15.
Forthcoming:
The Revelation to John: The Original Version Restored and Translated. James David Audlin. Paso Ancho, Panamá: Editores Volcán Barú, early 2015.
The Songs of the Perfect One: The Original Version Restored and Translated. James David Audlin. Paso Ancho, Panamá: Editores Volcán Barú, October 2015.
Address: Paso Ancho, Chiriquí, Panamá
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Papers by James David Audlin
The Gospel of John: A Restoration of the Intended Original Version with a Translation and Commentaries, 2025
Everyone (but me) agrees that the woman next to Jesus in the center of the fresc... more Everyone (but me) agrees that the woman next to Jesus in the center of the fresco in the Sistine Chapel is Mary his mother. In this essay culled from the book I summon to account several issues that make this certain identification far from certain.
The Gospel of John: A Restoration of the Intended Original Version with a Translation and Commentaries, 2025
A new book - (“Mary Magdalene in Michelangelo’s Ju... more A new book - (“Mary Magdalene in Michelangelo’s Judgement”) by art restorer Sara Penco - correctly identifies an overlooked female face to the far right in Michelangelo's as of Mary Magdalene. But this essay culled from the book suggests that Penco gets some matters wrong and overlooks other important details in the fresco.
The Gospel of John: A Restoration of the Intended Original Version with a Translation and Commentaries, 2025
Justly celebrated is de la Tour’s series of paintings depicting, variously arranged, the Magdalen... more Justly celebrated is de la Tour’s series of paintings depicting, variously arranged, the Magdalene with a mirror, a skull, and a candle. Ignored, however, is a portrait of her in the tomb, on her knees before the body of Jesus. This essay seeks to analyze the meaning of various elements in the painting, in order to rectify this failure by art history to cherish a masterpiece.
The Gospel of John: A Restoration of the Intended Original Version with a Translation and Commentaries, 2025
This paper argues first that John 20:17b is Jesus's statement TO Mary, not to the male disciples ... more This paper argues first that John 20:17b is Jesus's statement TO Mary, not to the male disciples THROUGH Mary. It further argues that it deliberately echoes Ruth 1:16-17, the only other place in the Bible where there is a similar phrase. By comparing it to the Ruth passage and looking carefully especially at the Galilean Aramaic manuscripts of John, this essay hypothesizes that originally Jesus may have said "to my father and to your [Mary's] mother, and to my God and to your Goddess".
The Gospel of John: A Restoration of the Intended Original Version with a Translation and Commentaries, 2025
Accepted Academic Consensus has it that Paul never refers in his writings to the dogma that Jesus... more Accepted Academic Consensus has it that Paul never refers in his writings to the dogma that Jesus was divinely conceived by the Holy Spirit. This essay, from the book, argues that he does refer to it in Galatians 4, in his comments on the conception of Isaac in Genesis 18. But this Torah passage appears to have been excised in the Masoretic Text when it is compared to the wording in the Septuagint.
The Gospel of John: A Restoration of the Intended Original Version with a Translation and Commentaries, 2025
Caravaggio's masterful work has two distinct parts seemingly unrelated: Mary holding her sleeping... more Caravaggio's masterful work has two distinct parts seemingly unrelated: Mary holding her sleeping child Jesus and a nearly naked angel playing a musical work that is no lullaby. This essay sets out to determine exactly what Caravaggio had in mind.
The Gospel of John: A Restoration of the Intended Original Version with a Translation and Commentaries, 2025
The figures in the Jacob and Joseph lunette in the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel have posed diffi... more The figures in the Jacob and Joseph lunette in the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel have posed difficulties in identification ever since a cleaning of the fresco revealed that one of the children with Joseph and Mary is female. This essay offers a hypothesis of her positive identification.
The Gospel of John: A Restoration of the Intended Original Version with a Translation and Commentaries, 2025
Lavinia Fontana's masterpiece the "Wedding Feast in Cana" is loosely based on an earlier work by ... more Lavinia Fontana's masterpiece the "Wedding Feast in Cana" is loosely based on an earlier work by Giorgio Vasari - but with some significant changes, most notably the implied message in how she assembles the feast attendees that one is best advised to follow Jesus's example and teachings, and that there is no other couple evident who can possibly be the bride and bridegroom except for Jesus and Mary - who is evidently the Magdalene, not the Madonna.
The Gospel of John: A Restoration of the Intended Original Version with a Translation and Commentaries, 2025
The identity of the Samaritan woman in John 4 is of course often debated, but the book from which... more The identity of the Samaritan woman in John 4 is of course often debated, but the book from which this essay comes analyzes early texts of the gospel in Galilean Aramaic as well as Greek, etc., concluding that she is Mary Magdalene. What is amazing is that the motifs in this astonishingly beautiful canvas by Lavinia Fontana suggest the same identification.
The Gospel of John: A Restoration of the Intended Original Version with a Translation and Commentaries, 2025
Scholars universally agree that the figure kneeling at the foot of the cross in this magnificent ... more Scholars universally agree that the figure kneeling at the foot of the cross in this magnificent painting by the so-called Master of Nüremburg is Mary Magdalene. However universally looked is the significance of her queenly vestments. This essay from the book attempts to provide an analysis of this important aspect of the work.
The Gospel of John: A Restoration of the Intended Original Version with a Translation and Commentaries, 2025
This lovely Mannerist work is analyzed in this essay, which concludes that the official identific... more This lovely Mannerist work is analyzed in this essay, which concludes that the official identifications of the figures shown are incorrect, that it really depicts the infant Magdalene and Jesus with their respective mothers, Salome and Mary. This is supported by a careful look at a very similar Parmigianino work.
The Gospel of John: A Restoration of the Intended Original Version with a Translation and Commentaries, 2025
Jan Václav Mrkvička's "The Secret Supper" shows Jesus sharing the afikoman at the Last Supper not... more Jan Václav Mrkvička's "The Secret Supper" shows Jesus sharing the afikoman at the Last Supper not with Judas as we might expect, but rather with Mary Magdalene. This depiction, unique so far as I know, is carefully studied in this essay from the book.
The Gospel of John: A Restoration of the Intended Original Version with a Translation and Commentaries, 2025
Part of a major section of the historical context volumes of the book that look at the history of... more Part of a major section of the historical context volumes of the book that look at the history of Christian art especially for its portrayals of Jesus and Mary Magdalene that dare openly to flout the dogma. This passage looks at a sculpture by Rodin showing Jesus in the moment of death on the cross in the embrace of Mary Magdalene.
The Gospel of John: A Restoration of the Intended Original Version with a Translation and Commentaries, 2025
At some time centuries ago, the A in the title EPISCOPA THEODORA - in a mosaic portrait in the Ba... more At some time centuries ago, the A in the title EPISCOPA THEODORA - in a mosaic portrait in the Basilica di Santa Prassede all’Esquillino in Rome - was scratched at as if someone were attempting to change the gender of the term. And at some point in the 1980s, after a first visit by scholar Karen Jo Torgersen, the final two letters in the name itself, THEODORA, were removed and replaced by new tesserae. This essay from the book considers the very negative consequences of what appears to be officially ordered censorship of the name and title of an early female bishop.
PLEASE NOTE that this is a pirated edition of my book, cut to 1/3 its length and sold by a United... more PLEASE NOTE that this is a pirated edition of my book, cut to 1/3 its length and sold by a United States publisher that has never sent me a penny, despite the legal contract to send me statements and pay me my royalties regularly. I only include it here because Academia asked me if I wrote it, and of course I did. But I STRONGLY URGE those interested to purchase ONLY the edition published by Editores Volcán Barú, with the title as THE CIRCLE OF LIFE, with the complete text. It is available through Amazon and Barnes & Noble, or you can order it through your local bookshop.
The Gospel of John: A Restoration of the Intended Original Version with a Translation and Commentaries, 2025
Although it is widely assumed that the woman in this group of images is the Virgin Mary - inevita... more Although it is widely assumed that the woman in this group of images is the Virgin Mary - inevitably resulting in consternation and even anger that she is presented as an overtly erotic nude - this essay, from the upcoming book, suggests that Munch may have meant her rather as Mary Magdalene in the morning of resurrection.
The Gospel of John: A Restoration of the Intended Original Version with a Translation and Commentaries, 2025
Culled from the book, this essay considers how this apse mosaic reflects the dogmatic war of the ... more Culled from the book, this essay considers how this apse mosaic reflects the dogmatic war of the time in which it was made, originally designed in accord with the side that eventually lost the war but subtly yet substantially changed over the years to force it to conform to the dogma of the side that won.
The Gospel of John: A Restoration of the Intended Original Version with a Translation and Commentaries, 2025
Taken from the third and final edition of the book, in twelve volumes, this brief essay assumes t... more Taken from the third and final edition of the book, in twelve volumes, this brief essay assumes the reader is familiarr with conclusions reached elsewhere therein. Readers of this little selection who question such matters may read other selections from the book here on Academia, wait for the third edition to come out (soon), or if they are desperate, contact me. And, as always, your thoughtful comments and criticisms are warmly welcomed.
The Gospel of John: A Restoration of the Intended Original Version with a Translation and Commentaries, 2025
This lovely mid-fifteenth century altarpiece was prepared for a Roman Catholic chapel, but it sho... more This lovely mid-fifteenth century altarpiece was prepared for a Roman Catholic chapel, but it shows abundant signs of embracing Cathar beliefs as regards Jesus and Mary as a wedded couple. This may be because of the abundant presence of Cathars in the Girona region, especially after genocidal pogroms in Occitania forced many to flee south of the Pyrénées for their lives.
The Gospel of John: A Restoration of the Intended Original Version with a Translation and Commentaries, 2025
This important cartoon (preliminary sketch) is transitional between Michelangelo's first and most... more This important cartoon (preliminary sketch) is transitional between Michelangelo's first and most famous Pietà and his last two major works, the Florentine Pietà and the Rondanini Pietà. The model for Mary is identified as the great Renaissance poet Vittoria Colonna, the beloved (at least intellectually) of Michelangelo, and the Mary is identified not as the Madonna, as others have said, but rather the Magdalene. And the unity of male and female in the divine image and likeness, the main theme in the (restored) Gospel of John, is associated with the creation of the androgynous first human being in Genesis 1:26-27, the joint entry of Moses and Ziporah in the Holy of Holies, the later reproduction of this coupled presence with the coupled kherubim in the Holy of Holies, and, artistically, with this mirroring of couples also found in William Blake's Last Supper.
The Gospel of John: A Restoration of the Intended Original Version with a Translation and Commentaries, 2025
Everyone (but me) agrees that the woman next to Jesus in the center of the fresc... more Everyone (but me) agrees that the woman next to Jesus in the center of the fresco in the Sistine Chapel is Mary his mother. In this essay culled from the book I summon to account several issues that make this certain identification far from certain.
The Gospel of John: A Restoration of the Intended Original Version with a Translation and Commentaries, 2025
A new book - (“Mary Magdalene in Michelangelo’s Ju... more A new book - (“Mary Magdalene in Michelangelo’s Judgement”) by art restorer Sara Penco - correctly identifies an overlooked female face to the far right in Michelangelo's as of Mary Magdalene. But this essay culled from the book suggests that Penco gets some matters wrong and overlooks other important details in the fresco.
The Gospel of John: A Restoration of the Intended Original Version with a Translation and Commentaries, 2025
Justly celebrated is de la Tour’s series of paintings depicting, variously arranged, the Magdalen... more Justly celebrated is de la Tour’s series of paintings depicting, variously arranged, the Magdalene with a mirror, a skull, and a candle. Ignored, however, is a portrait of her in the tomb, on her knees before the body of Jesus. This essay seeks to analyze the meaning of various elements in the painting, in order to rectify this failure by art history to cherish a masterpiece.
The Gospel of John: A Restoration of the Intended Original Version with a Translation and Commentaries, 2025
This paper argues first that John 20:17b is Jesus's statement TO Mary, not to the male disciples ... more This paper argues first that John 20:17b is Jesus's statement TO Mary, not to the male disciples THROUGH Mary. It further argues that it deliberately echoes Ruth 1:16-17, the only other place in the Bible where there is a similar phrase. By comparing it to the Ruth passage and looking carefully especially at the Galilean Aramaic manuscripts of John, this essay hypothesizes that originally Jesus may have said "to my father and to your [Mary's] mother, and to my God and to your Goddess".
The Gospel of John: A Restoration of the Intended Original Version with a Translation and Commentaries, 2025
Accepted Academic Consensus has it that Paul never refers in his writings to the dogma that Jesus... more Accepted Academic Consensus has it that Paul never refers in his writings to the dogma that Jesus was divinely conceived by the Holy Spirit. This essay, from the book, argues that he does refer to it in Galatians 4, in his comments on the conception of Isaac in Genesis 18. But this Torah passage appears to have been excised in the Masoretic Text when it is compared to the wording in the Septuagint.
The Gospel of John: A Restoration of the Intended Original Version with a Translation and Commentaries, 2025
Caravaggio's masterful work has two distinct parts seemingly unrelated: Mary holding her sleeping... more Caravaggio's masterful work has two distinct parts seemingly unrelated: Mary holding her sleeping child Jesus and a nearly naked angel playing a musical work that is no lullaby. This essay sets out to determine exactly what Caravaggio had in mind.
The Gospel of John: A Restoration of the Intended Original Version with a Translation and Commentaries, 2025
The figures in the Jacob and Joseph lunette in the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel have posed diffi... more The figures in the Jacob and Joseph lunette in the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel have posed difficulties in identification ever since a cleaning of the fresco revealed that one of the children with Joseph and Mary is female. This essay offers a hypothesis of her positive identification.
The Gospel of John: A Restoration of the Intended Original Version with a Translation and Commentaries, 2025
Lavinia Fontana's masterpiece the "Wedding Feast in Cana" is loosely based on an earlier work by ... more Lavinia Fontana's masterpiece the "Wedding Feast in Cana" is loosely based on an earlier work by Giorgio Vasari - but with some significant changes, most notably the implied message in how she assembles the feast attendees that one is best advised to follow Jesus's example and teachings, and that there is no other couple evident who can possibly be the bride and bridegroom except for Jesus and Mary - who is evidently the Magdalene, not the Madonna.
The Gospel of John: A Restoration of the Intended Original Version with a Translation and Commentaries, 2025
The identity of the Samaritan woman in John 4 is of course often debated, but the book from which... more The identity of the Samaritan woman in John 4 is of course often debated, but the book from which this essay comes analyzes early texts of the gospel in Galilean Aramaic as well as Greek, etc., concluding that she is Mary Magdalene. What is amazing is that the motifs in this astonishingly beautiful canvas by Lavinia Fontana suggest the same identification.
The Gospel of John: A Restoration of the Intended Original Version with a Translation and Commentaries, 2025
Scholars universally agree that the figure kneeling at the foot of the cross in this magnificent ... more Scholars universally agree that the figure kneeling at the foot of the cross in this magnificent painting by the so-called Master of Nüremburg is Mary Magdalene. However universally looked is the significance of her queenly vestments. This essay from the book attempts to provide an analysis of this important aspect of the work.
The Gospel of John: A Restoration of the Intended Original Version with a Translation and Commentaries, 2025
This lovely Mannerist work is analyzed in this essay, which concludes that the official identific... more This lovely Mannerist work is analyzed in this essay, which concludes that the official identifications of the figures shown are incorrect, that it really depicts the infant Magdalene and Jesus with their respective mothers, Salome and Mary. This is supported by a careful look at a very similar Parmigianino work.
The Gospel of John: A Restoration of the Intended Original Version with a Translation and Commentaries, 2025
Jan Václav Mrkvička's "The Secret Supper" shows Jesus sharing the afikoman at the Last Supper not... more Jan Václav Mrkvička's "The Secret Supper" shows Jesus sharing the afikoman at the Last Supper not with Judas as we might expect, but rather with Mary Magdalene. This depiction, unique so far as I know, is carefully studied in this essay from the book.
The Gospel of John: A Restoration of the Intended Original Version with a Translation and Commentaries, 2025
Part of a major section of the historical context volumes of the book that look at the history of... more Part of a major section of the historical context volumes of the book that look at the history of Christian art especially for its portrayals of Jesus and Mary Magdalene that dare openly to flout the dogma. This passage looks at a sculpture by Rodin showing Jesus in the moment of death on the cross in the embrace of Mary Magdalene.
The Gospel of John: A Restoration of the Intended Original Version with a Translation and Commentaries, 2025
At some time centuries ago, the A in the title EPISCOPA THEODORA - in a mosaic portrait in the Ba... more At some time centuries ago, the A in the title EPISCOPA THEODORA - in a mosaic portrait in the Basilica di Santa Prassede all’Esquillino in Rome - was scratched at as if someone were attempting to change the gender of the term. And at some point in the 1980s, after a first visit by scholar Karen Jo Torgersen, the final two letters in the name itself, THEODORA, were removed and replaced by new tesserae. This essay from the book considers the very negative consequences of what appears to be officially ordered censorship of the name and title of an early female bishop.
PLEASE NOTE that this is a pirated edition of my book, cut to 1/3 its length and sold by a United... more PLEASE NOTE that this is a pirated edition of my book, cut to 1/3 its length and sold by a United States publisher that has never sent me a penny, despite the legal contract to send me statements and pay me my royalties regularly. I only include it here because Academia asked me if I wrote it, and of course I did. But I STRONGLY URGE those interested to purchase ONLY the edition published by Editores Volcán Barú, with the title as THE CIRCLE OF LIFE, with the complete text. It is available through Amazon and Barnes & Noble, or you can order it through your local bookshop.
The Gospel of John: A Restoration of the Intended Original Version with a Translation and Commentaries, 2025
Although it is widely assumed that the woman in this group of images is the Virgin Mary - inevita... more Although it is widely assumed that the woman in this group of images is the Virgin Mary - inevitably resulting in consternation and even anger that she is presented as an overtly erotic nude - this essay, from the upcoming book, suggests that Munch may have meant her rather as Mary Magdalene in the morning of resurrection.
The Gospel of John: A Restoration of the Intended Original Version with a Translation and Commentaries, 2025
Culled from the book, this essay considers how this apse mosaic reflects the dogmatic war of the ... more Culled from the book, this essay considers how this apse mosaic reflects the dogmatic war of the time in which it was made, originally designed in accord with the side that eventually lost the war but subtly yet substantially changed over the years to force it to conform to the dogma of the side that won.
The Gospel of John: A Restoration of the Intended Original Version with a Translation and Commentaries, 2025
Taken from the third and final edition of the book, in twelve volumes, this brief essay assumes t... more Taken from the third and final edition of the book, in twelve volumes, this brief essay assumes the reader is familiarr with conclusions reached elsewhere therein. Readers of this little selection who question such matters may read other selections from the book here on Academia, wait for the third edition to come out (soon), or if they are desperate, contact me. And, as always, your thoughtful comments and criticisms are warmly welcomed.
The Gospel of John: A Restoration of the Intended Original Version with a Translation and Commentaries, 2025
This lovely mid-fifteenth century altarpiece was prepared for a Roman Catholic chapel, but it sho... more This lovely mid-fifteenth century altarpiece was prepared for a Roman Catholic chapel, but it shows abundant signs of embracing Cathar beliefs as regards Jesus and Mary as a wedded couple. This may be because of the abundant presence of Cathars in the Girona region, especially after genocidal pogroms in Occitania forced many to flee south of the Pyrénées for their lives.
The Gospel of John: A Restoration of the Intended Original Version with a Translation and Commentaries, 2025
This important cartoon (preliminary sketch) is transitional between Michelangelo's first and most... more This important cartoon (preliminary sketch) is transitional between Michelangelo's first and most famous Pietà and his last two major works, the Florentine Pietà and the Rondanini Pietà. The model for Mary is identified as the great Renaissance poet Vittoria Colonna, the beloved (at least intellectually) of Michelangelo, and the Mary is identified not as the Madonna, as others have said, but rather the Magdalene. And the unity of male and female in the divine image and likeness, the main theme in the (restored) Gospel of John, is associated with the creation of the androgynous first human being in Genesis 1:26-27, the joint entry of Moses and Ziporah in the Holy of Holies, the later reproduction of this coupled presence with the coupled kherubim in the Holy of Holies, and, artistically, with this mirroring of couples also found in William Blake's Last Supper.
Forty years in the making, a translation of the restored original text of the Gospel of John from... more Forty years in the making, a translation of the restored original text of the Gospel of John from Greek and Aramaic, with essays, a history of the text, and commentaries.
The Gospel of John: The Original Text Restored and Translated, 2023
Academics often ride a circular logic wheel, insisting that the standardized texts of Hebrew and ... more Academics often ride a circular logic wheel, insisting that the standardized texts of Hebrew and Syriac scripture generally speaking have a single meaning that is widely accepted as consensus in the scholarly world. To reach that happy conclusion they must ignore the fact that the Masoretic vowel markings added to ancient texts in the early Middle Ages confirm the meaning they espouse, but at the expense of a plethora of other possible meanings. The effect is to destroy the multifaceted poetry of a text and reduce it to banal instruction.
The Gospel of John: The Original Version Restored and Translated, 2022
The Shem Tob Hebrew translation of Matthew, the Codex Bobbiensis text of Mark, the Galilean Arama... more The Shem Tob Hebrew translation of Matthew, the Codex Bobbiensis text of Mark, the Galilean Aramaic text of the Gospel of John, and the Gospel of Philip all conspire to put together a theory that Emmaus (whose location is debated) is actually close to Capernaum, and that this is the meeting where the risen messiah intends (in Matthew and Mark) to meet with the disciples.
The Gospel of John: The Original Version Restored and Translated, 2022
Many early sources that say the physical appearance of Jesus changed at different times or in the... more Many early sources that say the physical appearance of Jesus changed at different times or in the eyes of different people, this usually being explained as examples of Docetism and perceived polymorphism, of subjective perception rather than objective characteristics, varying according to each individual's unique way of observing him, largely based on preconceived expectations. The beginning of these fluid appearances, of course, are in the canonical resurrection stories: on the road to Emmaus and the appearance to the male disciples in John 20:19-20 -- and also, this essay suggests, the story of the transfiguration, which I think is a mislocated resurrection appearance (Mark 9:2-8 and cognates) which answers to the clear patchiness of the last few verses of the Gospel of Matthew, wherein the disciples go to a mountain in Galilee whither Mary-and-Jesus had said that it would meet with them. The most interesting and possibly earliest version is in §§ 89bff. of the Acts of John, which I will argue is a post-resurrection scene based on Petrine and Johannine material.
The Gospel of John: The Original Version Restored and Translated, 2022
The textbooks typically say that in earlier classical dialects of Greek there was, besides the si... more The textbooks typically say that in earlier classical dialects of Greek there was, besides the singular and plural forms, a dual form as well to guide the declension of words dealing with sets of two and only two members, but that this disappeared in all dialects from the koinē of the New Testament to modern demotic Greek. The only exception to this, these texts say, is the word δυο (duo, “two”) itself in its various declensions. However my conclusion is that there are a few exceptions that I have seen in the koinē, in the New Testament that are today unrecognized as such, but which are wrongly taken as declined in the dative case.
The Gospel of John: The Original Version Restored and Translated, 2022
Amongst the copies of Leonardo's fresco of the Last Supper several works by his male students and... more Amongst the copies of Leonardo's fresco of the Last Supper several works by his male students and imitators are customarily listed, but one that is perhaps the most interesting, by the foremost of the very few known woman painters of the Florentine Renaissance. Besides exhibiting a fine mastery of technique, Plautilla Nelli's Last Supper is also far more faithful to the gospel accounts of the Last Supper than those of Leonardo and his successors, and - for its presentation of Jesus and the Beloved Disciple - remarkably courageous.
The Gospel of John: The Original Version Restored and Translated, 2022
Unicorn tapestries, especially the most famous set displayed at The Cloisters in New York, are un... more Unicorn tapestries, especially the most famous set displayed at The Cloisters in New York, are universally considered to have the symbolism of Jesus's mother as the virgin who attracts the unicorn to its death and captivity. This essay, culled from a restoration of the theoretical original version of the Gospel of John, suggests otherwise.
The Gospel of John: The Original Text Restored and Translated, 2022
The following text comprises material from the upcoming third edition of The Gospel of John Resto... more The following text comprises material from the upcoming third edition of The Gospel of John Restored and Translated, Volume III of eight volumes, to be published by Editores Volcán Barú,
The Gospel of John Restored and Translated, 2022
After several essays in which I invade the territory of art history without the academic "visa" p... more After several essays in which I invade the territory of art history without the academic "visa" permitting me to do so, with this essay I return to "native territory", textual analysis. There is sure to be some defensive reaction to this hypothesis, yet I welcome, as always, all thoughtful comments with gratitude! As always, since this essay is culled from a book pushing up to 5,000 pages, it takes for granted some conclusions reached elsewhere therein which, for reasons of length, cannot be included, or else this essay starts to look like the entire book! The reader is welcome, of course, to peruse other essays of mine posted on this website or to ask me for more information about something.
The Gospel of John: The Original Version Restored and Translated, 2022
The origins of the famous Celtic Cross are reconsidered as not representing the wooden instrument... more The origins of the famous Celtic Cross are reconsidered as not representing the wooden instrument on which Jesus was executed but as coming from the natural world. The symbol is also viewed as representing the theology of the early Apostolic Brythonic Christianity that preceded Roman Catholicism in various parts of Europe and the British Isles.
The Gospel of John: The Original Version Restored and Translated, 2022
The famous Celtic Cross is considcered not as representing the instrument used to execute Jesus b... more The famous Celtic Cross is considcered not as representing the instrument used to execute Jesus but as rather coming from natural origins and representing the quaternine theology of the original Brythonic Apostolic Christians.
The Gospel of John: The Original Version Restored and Translated, 2022
An analysis of this painting in the context of scripture and contemporary art, concluding that it... more An analysis of this painting in the context of scripture and contemporary art, concluding that its semi-hidden symbolism informs the viewer that the figure is Mary wife of Jesus, not his mother.
The Gospel of John: The Original Version Restored and Translated, 2022
The identity of the Mary in the Marian series of frescoes in the Basilica di San Francesco d’Assi... more The identity of the Mary in the Marian series of frescoes in the Basilica di San Francesco d’Assisi is widely considered to be that of Jesus's mother. The author, whose research and recovery of the earliest text of the Gospel of John concludes that Jesus and Mary became one androgynous being in the day of resurrection, sees these frescoes -- like others about which essays have been posted here on Academia -- as depicting that united messiah in the image and likeness of Elohim. In support of this conclusion the La Stella altarpiece, which is based upon the Assisi frescoes, is also considered.
The Gospel of John: The Original Version Restored and Translated, 2022
A group of amateurs has published what they claim is a French translation of a travel memoir by P... more A group of amateurs has published what they claim is a French translation of a travel memoir by Pontius Pilate written in 37 C.E. while he was enroute to Rome to defend himself against charges of the excessive use of force. No antecedent Latin text is available, so far as this author knows, which does not bode well for considering it possibly genuine. This essay nevertheless reviews the contents and what is known of its provenance and reaches certain conclusions.
The Gospel of John: The Original Text Restored and Translated, 2022
Generally considered a Gnostic text with Docetic qualities, this Nag Hammadi work (which is neith... more Generally considered a Gnostic text with Docetic qualities, this Nag Hammadi work (which is neither an apocalypse nor the second of two) is reconsidered as closely related to the Johannine corpus and as lacking any especially Gnostic characteristics.
The Gospel of John: The Original Version Revised and Translated, 2022
A common motif in Mediaeval and Renaissance art depicts John the Evangelist holding a chalice hol... more A common motif in Mediaeval and Renaissance art depicts John the Evangelist holding a chalice holding poisoned wine, with a serpent or basilisk emerging from it. It is rarely discussed and, when it is, it is said to be based on an apocryphal story that in fact does not mention a serpent or basilisk. This essay offers a different understanding.
The Gospel of John: The Original Version Restored and Translated, 2022
A discussion of the apse mosaic, the Madonna della Clemena ikon, and the façade mosaic of the Tra... more A discussion of the apse mosaic, the Madonna della Clemena ikon, and the façade mosaic of the Trastevere Basilica in the context of the findings reached in the forthcoming new edition of a book seeking to establish an Urtext of the Gospel of John, reaching the conclusion that it is incorrect to identify the woman in these images as the mother of Jesus.
The Gospel of John: The Original Version Revised and Translated, 2022
All of the major analyses of koinë Greek grammar and syntax agree that the dual number is found o... more All of the major analyses of koinë Greek grammar and syntax agree that the dual number is found only in various forms of classical Greek, and not in koinë or any other later dialect, including modern Greek, except, rarely, in relation to the noun δυο, "two". This essay, culled from a forthcoming book, argues otherwise - that it does appear in the Johannine writings of the New Testament and also in the theologically related essay called the letter to the Hebrews, and that by means of the dual the word in question, υιω, indicates the androgynous nature of the risen messiah as the redivivus of the first human being made in the image and likeness of Elohim (Genesis 1:26-27).
The Gospel of John: The Original Version Restored and Translated, 2022
From a book restoring the hypothetical original version of the Gospel of John, in which the centr... more From a book restoring the hypothetical original version of the Gospel of John, in which the centrality of Mary called Magdalene is recovered, comes this discussion of the black madonna artistic tradition of Mediaeval Europe and elsewhere in the world. The contention is that many of these are not of the Virgin Mary but rather the younger Mary, and reasons are given for why it is rare that modern art historians are willing to entertain that possibility. Issues of badly conceived attempts at restoration, especially in Chartres, are also considered.
The Gospel of John: The Original Version Restored and Translated, 2022
The image depicting the marriage feast at Cana (Gospel of John chapter 2) in this little-studied ... more The image depicting the marriage feast at Cana (Gospel of John chapter 2) in this little-studied psalter is typical for its placement of Jesus in the center rather than off to one side of the banquet table, and with his bride rather than being artistically less able to draw the viewer's eye than an anonymous bridal couple. This short essay - from the forthcoming third edition of the book - considers why this would be the case in terms of the standard triclinium arrangement, and who then are the figures shown in this miniatrure.
The Gospel of John: The Original Version Restored and Translated, 2022
Scholars have been confounded by not only the relationship between two like-but-unlike versions o... more Scholars have been confounded by not only the relationship between two like-but-unlike versions of this masterpiece but also by the identities of the five figures. This essay offers a new interpretation in view of Leonardo's awareness of secret teachings about the origins of Christianity.