Several well-known South African archaeologists believe they have unearthed one of the most exciting documents of this century. Some of them even boast that it is of far greater importance than the 900 documents discovered between 1947 and 1956 in eleven caves in and around the ruins of the ancient settlement of Khirbet Qumran on the northwest shore of the Dead Sea in the present day West Bank. One of the leading archaeologists, who prefers to remain anonymous for the moment, said that the remarkably well-preserved document could probably “tsunaminize” (his own words) the entire Christian world. He elaborated by adding that it may even have an earth-shattering, earthquakish, kind of effect because billions of individuals in the Christian fold are going to change their present course from an old and tattered doctrinal road (which our most esteemed postmodern prophets, priests and apostles have been trying to deconstruct) to a new and fresh quest. Amazingly this quest, as archaeologists have since established from the document they found, was not inspired by Don Quixote’s well-known song in the Spanish author, Miguel de Cervantes’ novel, “The Ingenious Hidalgo Don Quixote of La Mancha” In fact, it is now believed that Cervantes copied it from the lips of . . . yes, you’ve guessed it . . . a Man called Jesus from (no! Not La Mancha) but Nazareth. One of the archaeologists explained it as follows:
The popular Christian notion that Jesus of Nazareth commanded his disciples to go into all the world and to preach his Gospel, to make disciples of all the nations and to teach them to observe everything He taught them, seems to have been a myth all along. In fact, some of our most distinguished biblical scholars assert that Christians should “not [follow Him] as the religious professional, as the guy with all the rules for right and wrong but as the Sage or Sophia from heaven.” [1] Post modernists have concluded that people no longer want to hear that they are lost sinners on their way to hell but that they already have the “imago dei” (image of God) imbedded in their innermost being. What they need to do is to get rid or let go of the constructed false self so that the pristine “imago dei” may shine through unhindered and that they may realize who they really are (also known as “self-realization” or God-realization”). This process of self-realization or transformative spirituality is not an instant and momentary experience; it takes up to forty years and sometimes an entire lifetime according to Thomas Keating. Therefore the radical pilgrim ought to brace himself for a long and protracted quest before reaching the unreachable star and the impossible dream.
This brings us again to our news breaking discovery of the document we have been discussing and which proves that Jesus never commanded his disciples or followers to preach the Gospel but to make them followers of Jesus, “not as the religious professional, as the guy with all the rules for right and wrong but as the Sage from heaven.” The words He conveyed to them was not said in an audible voice but He sang it for them in deep silent space of nothingness. This is his song called ‘The Impossible Dream.’”
This is my quest, to follow that star . . .
No matter how hopeless, no matter how far . . . To fight for the right, without question or pause . . . To be willing to march into Hell, for a Heavenly cause . . . And I know if I’ll only be true, to this glorious quest, That my heart will lie peaceful and calm, when I’m laid to my rest . . . And the world will be better for this:
That one man, scorned and covered with scars, Still strove, with his last ounce of courage, To reach . . . the unreachable star . . .
The site where the document was dug up, can be seen here.
Don Quixote, the man from La Mancha, could not be located for his commentary. However, we will keep you up to date as soon as we’ve found him. Rest assured, the quest for him is in full swing. As Lao-tzu, the Chinese philosopher, once said: “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”
Our Emerging Church friends are probably possessed by a “Quest demon.” Read here for more information on this QUEST.
[1] Stephan Joubert: Mosaiëk Congress You are invited on a spiritual journey . . .; 4 & 5 September 2009; Fairlands, Johannesburg.
