FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sara Sgarlat, Publicity Director
434-296-2772, ext. 49
ssgarlat@hrpub.com

Are you spiritually curious but not religious?
Do you wonder what Jesus really taught,
apart from any church’s dogma?

     Actually, direct experience and transformation of consciousness were quite important to early Christians, even though those aspects of the religion are neglected and devalued by much of contemporary Christianity. A Church Not Made with Hands by Michael Roden is written for people who are seeking to know what Jesus really taught.  Using Jesus’ own words, Roden strips away centuries of organized religion’s dogma to reveal the mysticism underlying the New Testament and Christian spirituality.

     This book is not just another historical survey. It cites hundreds of Biblical passages to show that Jesus’ teachings sprung from inner experience which promotes ongoing transformation of consciousness. These changes that occurred in people’s attitudes and behavior led St. Paul to describe Jesus’ followers as “a new creation.”  A Church Not Made with Hands explores the overall concept of mysticism itself, revealing what St. Paul meant when he spoke of a secret and hidden teaching for the mature based in direct personal awareness of Divine Presence.

     Of particular interest are Roden’s explanations, illustrated through Biblical citations,of the symbolic meanings of such terms as the “living Word,” “salvation” being an inner experiential matter, “the end of the world” meaning a return to our original spiritual state, “resurrection” meaning a new spiritual identity, and “the holy city “  and “The Promised Land” meaning spiritual states of unity consciousness. Overall, Roden shows us that at the apex of Christianity is an individual experience of infusion with a deep sense of love.

     A Church Not Made with Hands brings home to readers the significance that direct transforming experience had for Jesus and the writers of the New Testament. Whether or not you are familiar with the Bible or Christianity, this book gives an easily accessible and compelling understanding of the teachings of Jesus that is in line with the teachings of spiritual masters the world over.  Love and forgiveness are the results of internal transcendent experience available to us all, and Christianity is a call for us to investigate our true nature and potential for consciousness transformation through direct experience.

November  2005  ●  Religion  •  ISBN 1-57174-448-7  •  Trade paper  •  $15.95