Jesus Secret: The Unknown Life of Jesus

By Dr. Robert Siblerud

The Jesus Secret is the first fiction book written by Dr. Robert Siblerud based on his nonfiction book The Unknown Life of Jesus. It is a historical novel about the life of Jesus. It is an exciting adventure of two college professors, Carl Iverson and Katherine Ralston, searching for the truth of what really happened to Jesus. Dr. Iverson had received an ancient manuscript written in Aramaic at the time of Jesus, discovered in Israel. The manuscript described Jesus’s life after the crucifixion, giving evidence that he survived the crucifixion. (An actual manuscript was found called the Talmud of Immanuel.) The book provides the evidence that Jesus lived out his life in Kashmir and had a family.

The excitement comes when powers of the church try to prevent Carl and Katherine from finding the truth. The Jesus Secret describes the lost years of Jesus, how he survived the crucifixion, his family, a background on how the church was established, and the corruption within the church to hide the truth. The final chapters describe what may happen if the truth is discovered. After reading the book, the reader will have a better understanding, respect, and love for Jesus, the most evolved soul ever to help guide humanity on their spiritual journey.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trafford Publishing
• Release date: Oct 1, 2012
• ISBN: 9781466950467

Book preview

Chapter One

The package arrived at 2:45 P.M. delivered by certified mail to Carl Iverson’s home. Carl had a gut level feeling that its contents could change Christianity as we know it today. He was both excited and apprehensive as he carefully unwrapped the package hoping that its contents had been properly packed. Once opened, Carl was relieved that the manuscript had arrived in excellent condition.

At the age of 55, Carl had just retired from Colorado State University where he had been a history professor for nearly a quarter century. His field was early Biblical history with a specialty in Aramaic language, the language spoken by Jesus and His disciples. Being retired from the university would give him the freedom to analyze the enclosed manuscript without the encumbrance of university politics that stifled academic freedom.

Carl lived alone on ten acres north of Fort Collins with a beautiful view of the Rocky Mountains and a small lake that he never took for granted. Carl had lived there for nearly fifteen years following an amicable divorce from Karen, who remained a good friend and now lived in Phoenix with their daughter Susie who was attending Arizona State University. Carl enjoyed living by himself, but was open to another serious relationship if the right woman came along. Being retired gave him ample time to pursue his studies and research into early Biblical history that involved writing a fifth book. Carl had invested wisely in real estate allowing him financial freedom to retire early from CSU and to travel.

One week ago, Carl had received a phone call from Father Joseph Saed who lived in Beruit, Lebanon. Father Joseph was a Catholic priest whom Carl had met seven years ago in Jerusalem at a seminar on the Aramaic language. Father Joseph had developed a passion for studying Aramaic and befriended Carl at the seminar. That phone call was going to change Carl’s life forever. Carl had sensed both excitement and anxiety in Joseph’s nervous voice.

Carl, Joseph said, "I have come into possession of a manuscript discovered recently on the outskirts of Jerusalem. Parishioners of mine who were visiting the Holy Land discovered it. Their names are Rafael and Lisa Berem. Following a severe thunderstorm they had gone for a short hike in the hills outside of Jerusalem. After walking for about twenty-five minutes they noticed a small crevice about one hundred feet off the trail where some rocks had been washed away apparently during the storm. They looked into the crevice to find that it led into a small cave which looked like an ancient tomb. They pulled away rocks to enlarge the opening until they could see in and noticed what appeared to be an urn in the cave. Rafael slipped through the opening, grasped the urn and then handed it to Lisa. After returning to their hotel room, they noticed the urn had been covered with a resin to protect it from moisture they had assumed. After cutting through the resin, Rafael carefully removed the urn’s lid and to their surprise there was a manuscript in the urn. Carefully, Rafael removed the manuscript and realized they may have discovered something of great importance. It was written in a script they had never seen before.

Both Rafael and Lisa thought they may be in trouble for removing an antiquity without Israel’s permission, but they were to return here to Beruit in two days and knew I might be interested in the manuscript because of my interest in early Biblical history. They made the decision to take it back to Lebanon and not report the find to Israeli authorities. They were able to pass through Israeli customs and returned home.

Father Joseph continued, The next day they visited me at the church and showed me the manuscript. Instantly, I knew it was valuable. I recognized the script as being Aramaic. They wanted me to have it. As you know Carl, my grasp of the Aramaic language is not great, but from what I could decipher, the manuscript talks about the life of Jesus after the crucifixion. Carl, I am scared. This means that Jesus survived the crucifixion. If this is true, I know the Vatican will suppress it or even destroy the manuscript. The conflict in Lebanon is getting worse, and it is not safe here. I want to get the manuscript out of Beruit, and I would like you to have it so it can be translated. You are somebody I can trust. Tomorrow I will mail it to you by certified mail. Hopefully, it will not be confiscated. I will do my best to wrap it properly to protect it.

After Father Joseph hung up, Carl did not know what to think. His mind was racing with excitement and plans of what to do once the manuscript arrived.

Chapter Two

The day after the phone call, Carl called his long time friend Ralph Benson in the Department of Archeology at CSU. Over the years, they had shared many good times and both professors shared similar views about academia. They knew that academia wanted to preserve status quo and did not want their professors to think too much outside the box. Carl could trust Ralph. Hi Ralph, said Carl, I soon will be in receipt of an ancient manuscript that may be 2,000 years old. It appears to have been written in Aramaic and was discovered in an urn outside Jerusalem. At this stage, I don’t want to get the university involved until I decipher it. Can you advise me on the proper care of the manuscript until I get it deciphered? Ralph was as excited as Carl and told him he would get back to him in several days after he researched the latest techniques for preserving ancient manuscripts.

Two days later Ralph called back with instructions for the care of the manuscript. Keep the manuscript out of the sun, wear latex gloves without powder on them while handling the manuscript, and, if possible, keep the humidity below fifty percent. Carl thought to himself that it was fortunate that Colorado has low humidity. Carl thanked Ralph and knew exactly what room he would use for his research. Carl had a study on the north side of his home with horizontal blinds. As an extra precaution, he wanted to blacken the windows so he went to the pantry and cut black garbage bags to fit the windows. After taping the garbage bags to the window he went downstairs to retrieve his fire proof safe to store the manuscript once it arrived. When he had checked with the post office to get an estimate on a delivery date, he was told it would take about a week. During the next week, Carl was a nervous wreck thinking of all the things that could go wrong with the mail. Luckily, he was at home when the postman rang the doorbell asking for his signature.

Carl carefully removed the wrapping paper and was relieved that Father Joseph had wrapped the manuscript in a plastic bubble wrap before placing it inside the packing box. Remembering what Ralph had advised, he put on the latex gloves before removing the plastic wrapping. Then he saw the manuscript for the first time. He recognized the script right away and smiled. Father Joseph was correct; it was Aramaic text.

There appeared to be forty to fifty pages Carl guessed, that were of a paper-like substance he thought might be papyrus. Carl knew the manuscript was old as it had discolored over the centuries. There were no water stains that he could see, the resin coating of the urn had worked. The pages seemed to be readable. Carl carefully turned each page and counted them. Each page had survived two millennia in great shape and numbered fifty two. He slipped the manuscript into a plastic bag and placed it in the fire safe.

Carl sat down at his desk and phoned Ralph who had just returned home from work. He told him about the manuscript and the great shape it was in. Ralph suggested that Carl take photos of each page of the manuscript which Carl thought was an excellent idea. After hanging up, Carl went to the closet and dug out his Canon SLR camera. He would photograph the manuscript the next morning using the several rolls of Fujichrome film still in his camera bag.

Chapter Three

Carl got up early the next morning eager to get started on the deciphering. Because it was Tuesday morning, Carl went for his three-mile run, showered, and then had breakfast. He then loaded his camera, placed the manuscript on his desk, and began taking pictures of each page of the manuscript using his macro lens and built in flash. After he used up the roll of 36 Fujichrome slides, he put another roll in and finished the photography. He would finish that roll later. The camera and exposed roll were placed into the small fire safe.

Carl gathered his arsenal of Aramaic reference material including dictionaries, to begin his translation of the manuscript. He was surprised at the quality of writing in the manuscript, and if he had trouble, he would refer to the Aramaic dictionary. After several hours, he was getting into a routine and was able to translate one page every one and one-half hours. Usually on each page, there were three or four words that he couldn’t translate because of the manuscript’s age or because the dictionary did not have the word. He would write the Aramaic word along with the translation. Not far into the translation, he realized the earth shattering importance of its contents. What he was translating would turn Christianity upside down.

For two weeks, Carl began translating around 8:00 A.M., broke for lunch at noon and worked again until 5:00 P.M. before breaking for dinner and watching the evening news. In the evenings, he would type the translation of the day. He talked to very few people during this translation period and only Ralph and Katherine, a colleague in Florida, knew what he was doing.

Once the translation was completed, Carl called Ralph to seek advice. Ralph, I need to talk to you as soon as possible. It’s about the manuscript. Can you come over to my house this evening? Would 7:30 be satisfactory? answered Ralph. That would be perfect, replied Carl. At this time, I don’t want you to tell anyone why you are coming over. This has to be a confidential meeting. At 7:35 the door bell rang and Carl led Ralph into the living room offering him his usual Bud Light. They chatted for a few minutes about university politics, the CSU Rams, and the weather.

Finally Carl blurted out, Ralph, I don’t know what to do next. The manuscript says that Jesus survived the crucifixion, left Israel and went to Damascus for several years before heading East. If this gets out to the public, what would it do their faith? Christianity is based on the physical resurrection and Jesus’ ascension into heaven. I don’t want to damage people’s faith. You and I have talked several times about the resurrection being a spiritual resurrection and not a physical one. The manuscript says Jesus was a mortal like you and me. Ralph listened as Carl was explaining the dilemma. Before I comment on what I think should be done, I need to read the manuscript, said Ralph. Carl replied, I will read it out it out loud to you, and then we can make a decision. Can I get you another beer? It may be a long night.

Carl began to read aloud the translation to Ralph. After several breaks and another beer, it was a little before midnight when he finished and Ralph sat back dumbfounded. You are correct, said Ralph. The Church will not want this information out. In fact, I would be concerned about your safety if some radical Christians or perhaps the Vatican want to suppress this knowledge. Have you talked to Katherine about this? Carl replied that he talked to Katherine just before he received the manuscript several weeks ago and once afterwards and mentioned that he may have a manuscript shedding light on the era of Jesus.

Chapter Four

Katherine Ralston received a phone call at 10:45 A.M. the following morning. Katherine was a Biblical scholar at the University of South Florida in Tampa. She was several years younger than Carl, who first met him in graduate school at Harvard. Originally from Florida, she had done her undergraduate work in Gainesville, at the University of Florida. Both Carl and Katherine were engaged to other people while at Harvard but had developed a good friendship. Katherine was from Clearwater across the causeway that linked it to Tampa. When a faculty position opened up in the history department at the University of South Florida, Katherine applied and was hired nineteen years ago. Katherine was a beautiful woman of 52 years with brunette hair, brown eyes, and a runner’s figure. Seven years ago her husband had been killed in a small airplane accident in northern Florida. They did not have children. Her widowed mother had passed away recently in Clearwater after a lengthy fight with cancer. Katherine had received a year-long sabbatical to care for her ailing mother. She had sold her Tampa home and was now living in her mother’s condo on Lake Arbor, fifteen minutes from Tampa Bay.

Hello, this is Katherine, she answered. Katherine, this is Carl. Do you have several minutes? Carl, it is so nice to hear your voice. How is the translation coming along? Carl answered, That is why I am calling. I need to talk to you about it. It is unbelievable what I have discovered. I am not sure what to do next. Your thoughts about early Christianity may be challenged. Thank goodness early Christianity is your specialty. He caught Katherine up on his work of the past several weeks and asked her, Would you be available anytime in the next several days to discuss strategy about the manuscript?" Katherine agreed and invited Carl to stay at her place while they worked. They agreed that Carl would fly to Tampa in several days and she would pick him up at the airport. After hanging up, Carl was relieved and confident that Katherine would help him make the right decision regarding the manuscript. He trusted her judgement.

Chapter Five

Shortly after Carl walked out the door to leave for Tampa, the telephone in his study rang. Carl, if you are there please pick up the phone, said a frantic voice. "This is Father Joseph calling from Lebanon. I am very concerned for your safety and the manuscript. Rafael, the young man who discovered the manuscript, had been at a social gathering several days ago and was talking about his discovery of the Aramaic manuscript in Israel that suggested that Jesus survived the crucifixion. Needless to say, it raised quite a stir. One of the people he told was Russell Jahem whose cousin attends another Catholic parish in Beruit. The cousin is a member of Opus Dei. Yesterday two men came to my office saying they were from the Vatican. They had heard he was in possession of an ancient manuscript and asked to see it. They told me they were acting under the Pope’s directive. I told them I had given the manuscript to a scholar in America. They asked who it was and I told them it was confidential, and only if the Vatican contacted me directly would I divulge the scholar’s name.

This morning when I came to work, my office was in a shambles. All the desk drawers had been rifled and my files were scattered on the floor. I am afraid they may have found your name and address. I am very concerned for you and the manuscript. Please call me when you get this message."

Carl’s plane arrived on time in Tampa, and Katherine was waiting for him in the baggage area. Carl quickly spotted her and they exchanged a warm hug. I am glad to see you, and it is sure nice to be in Florida, said Carl. You look great as this sunshine does wonders for you. As they were crossing the Courtney Campbell Causeway leading into Clearwater, Carl swooned, It sure was great being back near the ocean. Katherine’s condo was located about fifteen minutes from the causeway. After arriving, Carl commented how beautiful the view was of Lake Arbor. Katherine said it should take her about 45 minutes to an hour to commute to USF next year when she resumes teaching. You can put your things in the guest room that overlooks the lake, and I will fix us some iced tea, said Katherine, then you can bring me up to date.

As they were sitting in the Florida room, Carl said, I may have stumbled upon something that is a ‘can of worms.’ I am not sure how to handle this knowledge that I have come upon. He reviewed the activities of the past three weeks and said he had stored the manuscript in the fire safe located in the study.

"The manuscript is extremely heretical to the Christian Church. It says Jesus was removed from the cross before he was dead. The Romans had thought he was dead, and that is the reason why they didn’t break his legs which would have killed him because he wouldn’t have been able to support himself. He was given a potion that appeared to slow down his body functions causing him to appear dead. Pontius Pilate was surprised that Jesus had died so quickly.

"Joseph of Arimathea removed Jesus from the cross and transported him to his personal tomb. Joseph had created a second entrance to the tomb and was able to enter unseen. There he was able to administer first aid. For three days Joseph and helpers tended to his wounds allowing Jesus to recover. They then took Jesus to an undisclosed home where he made a full recovery according to the manuscript. On two occasions he appeared to the disciples showing them his wounds and sharing a meal with them.

The manuscript said that his name was not Jesus but Jmmanuel. When he left Palestine for Dasmacus, he changed his name to Yuz Asaf. He traveled incognito to Damascus and was later joined by his mother Mary and brother Thomas. The family lived in Damascus for a period of two years. Jmmanuel received word that Saul was traveling to Damascus in pursuit of Thomas. This is when Jesus appeared to Saul with a little homemade concoction made of powder and salves that temporarily blinded Saul. He told Saul to get up and go into the city and let yourself be taught how you should live. This was Saul’s transformation into Paul.

Let me get you some more iced tea, said Katherine. Carl continued, "After two years in Damascus, Jesus traveled to the lands of present day Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Turkey, and India preaching along the way. The manuscript says when Jesus was 38 years old, his mother died and was buried in a tomb on their way to present-day Kashmir. Jesus and his entourage finally made it to present day Kashmir where Jesus died of natural causes between the age of 110 and 115.

According to the manuscript, the scribe for the manuscript was Judas Iscariot who accompanied Jesus to India. It was Judas Ihariot that betrayed Jesus, not Judas Iscariot.

Katherine asked how the manuscript ended up in Jerusalem. Carl explained. When Jmmannuel was 45 years old, he married a young and pretty woman who bore him many children. Following the death of Judas Iscraiot, who was buried in Srinagar at the age of 90, Joseph, the oldest son of Jmmanuel, continued to write his father’s story. Joseph had been instructed by Jmmanuel to bring the manuscript to Jerusalem after his death. It took Joseph three years to reach Palestine, and he lived in Jerusalem where he spent his last years. Joseph hid the original manuscript in the burial cave where Jmmanuel had been placed. Jmmanuel had told him that would be the safest place and gave him instructions to its location.

Katherine sat in the couch overwhelmed with tears streaming from her eyes. Carl, she said, this is unbelievable. Do we keep this information covered up or do we tell the world? Carl answered, I don’t know. That is why I am here. There are more unbelievable things in the manuscript that I want to share before you read it. The manuscript talks about reincarnation. We have lived past lives. Another startling revelation is that Mother Mary was impregnated by the angel Gabrielle. Katherine, the manuscript suggests a UFO and extraterrestrial connection. Carl, replied Katherine, I don’t know how much more I can take. Let’s continue this over dinner.

Chapter Six

For the next several days Carl and Katherine got caught up with each other’s lives and discussed various strategies for handling the manuscript. Both agreed that radio carbon dating needed to be done by the University of Arizona which had a reputation for dating religious relics.

Carl discovered that Katherine was a great cook and was pleasantly surprised by her running ability when they went running at Phillippe Park located on Tampa Bay in the midst of the large Live Oak trees that made the park so special. The past several days were exactly what Carl needed to collect his thoughts and wind down from the stress of the past three weeks. The more he got to know Katherine, the more he liked her. She was attractive, intelligent, and had a wonderful sense of humor. He wondered if Katherine had any feelings for him. She wasn’t seeing anybody, but he didn’t want to jeopardize a good friendship by pressing for more.

It was mid-afternoon when Carl realized he needed to check his telephone messages back in Colorado. He was shocked after listening to the first one by Father Joseph. When he heard that Opus Dei might be involved, he knew he may be in for some trouble. Opus Dei was a conservative Catholic organization that had somewhat of a sinister reputation to preserve traditional Catholicism. He knew they had members around the world. It dawned on Carl that the manuscript could easily be stolen if thieves stole the small fire safe that housed the manuscript. Panic overcame him. He raced to find Katherine in the Florida room to explain the predicament. They both agreed that he needed to return to Colorado as soon as possible.

Being of frugal nature, Carl knew a last minute plane fare was going to be expensive but he bit the bullet and purchased one on United. The plane arrived in Denver shortly after 11:00 P.M.. After gathering his luggage, taking the shuttle to his car, Carl arrived home at approximately 1:30 A.M..

His worst fear was realized when he walked into the house. The house had been broken into. Broken glass lay on the carpet by the door leading to the deck. He rushed to his study and his heart almost stopped. The fire safe was missing and papers were scattered all over the floor. The manuscript, film, and camera were all gone. He then called the Larimer County sheriffs office to report the break in. He agreed they come early the next morning and he would clean up afterwards. After spending a restless night, he called Katherine the first thing in the morning to report the bad news.

Katherine was devastated and realized her contribution to biblical history had just vanished. Thank goodness, Carl had made copies of his translation but what good would that do if there was no physical proof.

After calling Katherine, Carl checked his mail box on the county road. There was a stampless letter addressed to Dr. Iverson. It read:

Dr. Iverson,

If you know what is good for you, do not pursue any investigation of information found in the manuscript. Accidents do happen! We will be watching.

There was no signature.

This sent a shiver through Carl’s whole being. He assumed the Vatican was behind the theft but there was no proof. He had read a book about the life of Pope Jean Paul I. The author