About the Book
Christianity is in crisis. Increasing numbers of people are "opting out." Why? Have recent discoveries in archaeology uprooted our faith in the Bible? Do the gospels no longer serve our modern, complicated lives? In The Hidden Power of the Gospels, Dr. Alexander Shaia moves beyond the typical approach to reveal an undiscovered truth that's been dormant for over one thousand years.
In the tradition of such writers as Thomas Moore and Don Miguel Ruiz, Shaia reveals how the recurring cycles of change, loss, enlightenment, and maturation are illuminated by the Bible's four gospels. Combining ancient Christian traditions, anthropology, and modern psychology, he reveals what has been in front of our eyes for two thousand years: that each of the gospels is centered on a different core metaphor and each focuses on a vital spiritual question.
Matthew begins with the question "How do we face change?" Mark poses the hard question of "How do we move through suffering?" John stirs and elevates the soul as he asks, "How do we receive joy?" And Luke moves us forward on the practical path, as he inquires, "How do we mature in service?" Shaia weaves these questions together in what he calls the quadratos journey, a recurring fourfold cycle that lives on as a constant companion throughout our lives.
Shaia unravels the divine inspiration of this mysterious sequence and links its ancient truths to universal, modern understandings. By using this lens, the gospels become practical guides for creating faith-filled lives that are relevant and useful in a time that is much more complex than village life millennia ago. In the sequence Shaia discloses, the gospels become the map for our never-ending spiritual journey.
Review :
"[This] book is an important contribution that truly highlights the wisdom contained in the Bible and gives us teachings that are relevant to our lives no matter what faith we espouse. My prayer is that it... is recognized for the gift it is."--Justine Willis Toms, Co-founder of New Dimensions Radio
"Alexander Shaia reclaims the Christian gospels as religious practices shared across spiritual traditions--minds abiding in peace, guided by love, mandated to serve. This book is a jewel."--Sylvia Boorstein, Ph.D., bestselling author of Happiness Is an Inside Job
"An inspirational book, of value to anyone who turns to the gospels for insight and guidance. Readers will find themselves engaged, encouraged, and energized for their life-long Christian pilgrimage."--Robin Griffith-Jones, author of Beloved Disciple
"Eye-opening, intelligent, and practical, The Hidden Power will transform the way you read scripture and reveal a path for a vibrant Christian way of life."--Diana Butler Bass, author of Christianity for the Rest of Us
"In his new book, The Hidden Power of the Gospels, Dr. Shaia moves beyond the surface of the gospel accounts and blends his journey of 'quadratos' into the narrative.... A provocative, pleasant piece of work."--SeattlePI.com
"It's a rare treat to have someone show you a previously undiscovered layer of meaning and import. Alexander Shaia has given us a tremendous resource."--Brian McLaren, author of A New Kind of Christianity
"The book is loaded with insight, and it is one of those texts that will appeal to any with an interest in psychology, counseling, and spiritual direction."--NextReformation.com
"The liveliest presentation of the Gospels that I have seen in a very long time."--Phyllis Tickle, author of The Great Emergence
"The Hidden Power of the Gospels... is a formidable work which can bring new life to the teaching and preaching ministries of Christian churches and added zest to the burgeoning interspirituality movement."--Spirituality and Practice
"This book will enrich your prayer life. Every word is delicious."--Mpho Tutu, coauthor with Desmond Tutu of Made for Goodness
"This is a wonderfully wise and profound vision of the Gospels, illuminating their inner meaning and our inner lives with them."--Jack Kornfield, co-founder of Spirit Rock Meditation Center and bestselling author of A Path with Heart
"This work on the gospels is breathtakingly liberating. Dr. Shaia is redirecting the last hundred-and-fifty years of gospel scholarship."--Alan Jones, author of Soul Making
"Trust me on this. . . . Shaia isn't luring us into some esoteric corner. He's leading us out of the stress and confusion most of us face in daily life--toward joy and stronger communities."--David Crumm, Read the Spirit
[This] book is an important contribution that truly highlights the wisdom contained in the Bible and gives us teachings that are relevant to our lives no matter what faith we espouse. My prayer is that it is recognized for the gift it is. --Justine Willis Toms, Co-founder of New Dimensions Radio
Alexander Shaia reclaims the Christian gospels as religious practices shared across spiritual traditions minds abiding in peace, guided by love, mandated to serve. This book is a jewel. --Sylvia Boorstein, Ph.D., bestselling author of Happiness Is an Inside Job
An inspirational book, of value to anyone who turns to the gospels for insight and guidance. Readers will find themselves engaged, encouraged, and energized for their life-long Christian pilgrimage. --Robin Griffith-Jones, author of Beloved Disciple
Eye-opening, intelligent, and practical, The Hidden Power will transform the way you read scripture and reveal a path for a vibrant Christian way of life. --Diana Butler Bass, author of Christianity for the Rest of Us
In his new book, The Hidden Power of the Gospels, Dr. Shaia moves beyond the surface of the gospel accounts and blends his journey of quadratos into the narrative . A provocative, pleasant piece of work. --SeattlePI.com
It s a rare treat to have someone show you a previously undiscovered layer of meaning and import. Alexander Shaia has given us a tremendous resource. --Brian McLaren, author of A New Kind of Christianity
The book is loaded with insight, and it is one of those texts that will appeal to any with an interest in psychology, counseling, and spiritual direction. --NextReformation.com
The liveliest presentation of the Gospels that I have seen in a very long time. --Phyllis Tickle, author of The Great Emergence
The Hidden Power of the Gospels... is a formidable work which can bring new life to the teaching and preaching ministries of Christian churches and added zest to the burgeoning interspirituality movement. --Spirituality and Practice
This book will enrich your prayer life. Every word is delicious. --Mpho Tutu, coauthor with Desmond Tutu of Made for Goodness
This is a wonderfully wise and profound vision of the Gospels, illuminating their inner meaning and our inner lives with them. --Jack Kornfield, co-founder of Spirit Rock Meditation Center and bestselling author of A Path with Heart
This work on the gospels is breathtakingly liberating. Dr. Shaia is redirecting the last hundred-and-fifty years of gospel scholarship. --Alan Jones, author of Soul Making
Trust me on this. . . . Shaia isn t luring us into some esoteric corner. He s leading us out of the stress and confusion most of us face in daily life toward joy and stronger communities. --David Crumm, Read the Spirit
."..breathtakingly liberating." -- -Reverend Alan Jones, Dean, Grace Cathedral, San Francisco
"[Shaia] gives us a map of faith that allows Christianity to move forward in new and constructive ways, yet keeps us firmly anchored in the Gospels and in our history. This is exactly the clarifying and transformative message we need to hear at this moment." -- Bishop David G. Mullen, Lutheran Sierra Pacific Synod, ELCA
"For people who have found the Bible a strange and intimidating tome and have studiously avoided it, it's a great gift to have a wise guide lead you into the text so that you actually feel at home there." -- -Brian McLaren, author of A New Kind of Christianity
."..breathtakingly liberating."--The Reverend Alan Jones, Dean, Grace Cathedral -- No Source
"As a Jew and psychiatrist, I find Dr. Shaia's work to be a comprehensive understanding of the Gospels, and useful template for psychological growth." -- Lawrence Greenberg, M.D., Professor Emeritus, the School of Medicine, University of Minnesota
"Dr. Shaia has cut through all the scriptural controversies to the deep places of wisdom. He confirms what my heart has always known." -- Rev. George Wenzinger, Roman Catholic pastor
"Quadratos gives us a map of faith that allows Christianity to move forward in new and constructive ways, yet keeps us firmly anchored in the Gospels and in our history. This is -- Bishop David G. Mullen, Lutheran Sierra Pacific Synod, ELCA
"This lyrical, passionate book takes one of the world's greatest sacred scriptures and offers it as a map of the universal spiritual journey, the transformation from the isolated suffering of the separate self to the liberation of selfless, shared compassion. What a gift for us all." -- Sylvia Boorstein, author of It's Easier Than You Think
