The Gospel of Martinus

Martinus Thomsen (usually just called Martinus) was a Danish neo-Theosophist. His message is known as Martinus Kosmologi, and his writings collectively as "The Third Testament". Of these, the seven-volume "Livets Bog" (Book of Life) is the most important. One obvious difference between Martinus Kosmologi and standard Theosophy is the strong emphasis on Christ found in the former. I recently looked at two shorter pieces by Martinus on that very topic. Both are available in Swedish translation. "Påsk: Världsåterlösaren och mänskligheten" (Easter: The World Redeemer and Humanity) was originally published in 1942. "Julevangeliet" (The Christmas Gospel) is originally from 1949.

It's not entirely clear to the present reviewer whether Martinus regarded Jesus as a real historical person or as mere allegory. The booklet on Easter suggests the former, whereas the piece on the meaning of Christmas strongly implies the latter.

To Martinus, Jesus Christ didn't appear on Earth to "atone" for anyone's "sins", a notion he considers absurd and barbaric. Rather, Jesus is the great example of divine love and forgiveness, who showed humanity how to truly live (and die) in order to manifest the Light. He represents an entirely new spiritual impulse in cosmic evolution, indeed, the highest one, being "one with the Father" and a direct emanation from the spiritual realm. It will take a long time before the Christ impulse works itself out on Earth and in human consciousness.

"Påsk" contains Martinus' retelling of the passion and resurrection of the Christ. Most of the events are taken from the Biblical narrative, but one is presumably a new revelation. Martinus claims that Jesus forgave and saved Judas in the astral world!

One annoying tendency with both booklets is Martinus' attempts to reinterpret the Bible in a "rational" manner. Annoying since it doesn't really help, Martinus Kosmologi being just as "supernatural" as any other religion. The virgin birth is declared to be impossible, Joseph being the real father of Jesus. The resurrection was a "materialization" of Jesus' astral body, while his physical body remained in the tomb, until it was "dematerialized" and stoved away at a secure location. The Second Coming of Christ is wholly allegorical. Another text by this author strongly suggests that *he* is the Second Coming!

"Julevangeliet" allegorizes virtually the entire infancy narrative. That Jesus was born in a manger with animals is a symbol of our animalistic natures. The three Magi are Muhammad, the adult Jesus and the Buddha, representing "the three world religions". By giving the infant precious gifts, they make possible his escape into Egypt (the domain of Light) from Herod (the realm of darkness). 

The piece on the Christmas Gospel also contain digressions on art, homosexuality and the plight of German refugees after World War II. The author attacks both capitalism and Communism. 

I admit that I wasn't *that* thrilled by this gospel according to Martinus Thomsen. Somehow, the original version makes more sense...