Saving the Savior: Did Christ Survive the Crucifixion? [Paperback]

[The writer gives a hint on page xxxi of the Preface, stating that one Dr. Deardorff advised him to write the material in a way that was accessible to most people. That he draws from other sources is a strength, not a weakness, in my opinion. I am now aware of things I didn't know before, and without my having to have previously read 900 other books on the subject. Now to the review].

I was fortunate to have viewed Richard Denton's August, 2003 BBC television documentary, "Did Jesus Die?". When I picked up Saving the Savior, I went, "Yea!" It was all there, and had BEEN there a few years before Denton produced the documentary. [Like, PBS, where ARE you?!]

Saving the Savior does it right--slowly. Salahuddin begins with an introduction that summarizes the tenents of Christianity, as well as its source books, both Canonical and non-Canonical, including Gnostic and other works. This is important, because he does not simply assume that most people understand Christianity. This gives the book broad appeal, educates the non-Christian and sets the stage for his presentation of the Jesus-in-India theory.

He then outlines the various debates within, and without, Christianity regarding the historical Jesus. Then, for those of us who ask, "Well...so what?" he places the subject within an historical context, examining both Western and Eastern philosophy and religion--in detail--beginning on page 76 and ending on page 115. Stunning!!

As I read the book, it was clear [well, this is my guess, anyway] that the writer intentionally started slowly, and built up momentum gradually. So that by the time you got through Chapter 9 (also entitled Saving the Savior), you were like, "Whoa!!" Then the subject like, just sticks there--right in your gut, and you can't let it go.

There are numerous photographs, and the Sanskrit, Persian, Tibetan and other documents--presented in their original script, but also the translations--gives authenticity to the book, as those documents actually mention the life of Jesus in India [Why don't we read about that in history classes? Don't answer].

The only drawback of the book is that it's not 400 pages longer! One serious drawback, in my opinion, is the title of the book. It's a turn-off for non-Christians, especially atheists and agnostics. Obviously the author probably enjoyed the play on words: "Saving the Savior." But he should have thought twice, I think. Certainly other titles could have been chosen

Jesus is the "savior" in Christian eyes, not non-Christians. He chose a title that might turn people off. And this is bad, because the book is so good that it would be a shame if non-Christians were turned off by the title, and decided not to read it--big mistake. It certainly is not a Christian book, that's for sure.

Nevertheless, it does the job, BIG time. This is not a book to read--it is a book to study!