The Traditions of Glastonbury

Raymond Capt is one of my favorite authors. He is a historian coupled with the certification of a respected archeologist. Mr. Capt has gone through painstaking efforts to seek out the truth. He is like a private investigator and he always gets his facts. A truly out of the box thinker produces great results. He has made a correlation between the Druids and the Ancient Hebrews and the building of Stonehenge. The modern day Druids do not know their roots but Mr. Capt connected the dots and his theories can provide proper ownership. The term for the plant, wandering Jew, is not far from the truth as the ancient Hebrews found their way to distant isle and they are the one of the early inhabitants of the British Isles. These people were God fearing people and their beliefs were evident in the early writings and pictographs of the Druids. If you are interested in a different view of history and are mindful that recorded history is not always acurate, then this is a perfect addition to your library. I highly recommend it.

The silent years of Jesus between 12 and 30 and an examination of the historical records concerning Joseph of Arimathea the great uncle of Jesus as a provencial Roman Senator and metal merchant. It was rumored that he owned many of the merchant ships that came to England from Rome and Phoenicia to barter for metal and other goods. Did Jesus accompany his uncle to this isle of the west? Mr. Capt reveals that there is substantial evidence to support that he did. EXCERPT: One day a small boat, from one of the large merchant ships anchored in the Bristol Channel, tied up at the causeway of the Lake Village. A bearded man and a slim young boy in his early teens stepped ashore. They were no strangers to the villagers who crowded around to welcome them. The merchant had been coming by their village for many years, on his way to the lead mines of the Mendip Hills. It was known that he held a very important position in the powerful Roman government and carried the title "Nobilus Decurio". It was rumored that he owned many of the merchant ships that came to these Isle of the West, from Rome and Phoenicia, to barter for metal and other goods The auburn haired lad was also known. He had accompained His uncle on a prior visit, staying at the village and exploring the surrounding territory, while His uncle conducted his business at the nearby Mendip lead mines. But this time a woman, perhaps in her early thirties was with them. As the boy helped the woman ashore, the crew proceeded to unload various sized chests and sacks, obviously belonging to them. Accommodations were soon found and the baggage was carried to one of the tiny huts facing the estaury. In the weeks that followed, the merchant and the boy constructed a wattle hut, similar to those of the village, on a nearby island. The site they chose was at the base of a hill from which ran a spring of fresh water. Hawthorne and oak trees dotted the landscape. Small game and fish were in abundance and the marshy fertile shores promised bountiful crops. When the hut was finished, the woman and the boy moved from the village to their new home. The merchant and his men sailed away. Jesus and His mother, Mary, were alone . . . Excellent book...gets a top rating by all who read it.

The Traditions of Glastonbury is a book that gets you to think. It speculates that Jesus spent years as a youngster in Britain with his uncle, Joseph of Arimathea, who was in the sea trading business. Although there is no concrete proof that Jesus was there, there is a long tradition that places Joseph there. It is also established fact that Glastonbury was the first Christian church built, outside of Jerusalem, after the ascension of Jesus. How did the church get there? Many mysteries of the Bible are shrouded in mystery. That doesn't make them untrue! Also, well documented and supported scholarly work does not necessarily make for historical truth. It only makes it more accepted. History has been altered and truth is many times concealed in speculation and tradition.

If all we Christians are honest, we have to admit that no one is really sure where Jesus spent his "lost years"; nor do we really know what became of Joseph of Arimethea, the Holy Mother, or most of the Disciples after the Resurrection. However, Capt makes most persuasive arguments in support of the theory that Glastonbury traditions figure prominently in all the above and more, as regards Christian history. The Glastonbury traditional tales make great reading in their on right. However, Capt connects them to Scripture and Bible history, as well as with acheological finds in this century (1900's), in such a way as to leave one nodding one's head and murmuring, "Yes, it could have happened just so." A must-read for all students of Christian history, a real treasure.

Jesus Christ as a young lad in Glastonbury, England.....very probable