FAR ROCKAWAY, N.Y., August 6, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- For over 2000 years, people have taken the "Kingdom of Heaven," a pillar of both Judaism and Christianity, to be a Judeo-Christian concept. Author Seymour Rettek tells readers that the "Kingdom," known today as the Messianic Era, actually originated with Zoroastrianism, the Persian religion prevalent during Persia's 200-year occupation of the "land East of the Euphrates." In his well-researched volume, The Kingdom of Heaven Through the Ages (now available through 1stBooks), the author traces the vicissitudes of this concept from the time of its inception to the time Christianity separated from Judaism in the second century.
Over the centuries, the "Kingdom of Heaven" has taken on different meanings. Jewish freedom fighters, along with the Maccabees, successfully established Judah and believed it would be their long-awaited "Kingdom of Heaven." Later, the Essenes, renegade Jewish priests of the desert, took the concept to be a Messianic Era reserved for the just and righteous (i.e. themselves). By moving the "Kingdom" from an earthly to a spiritual realm, their vision of it contributed to the development of Christianity.
The author discusses Jesus' electrifying announcement that the "Kingdom" was actually unfolding in his time. In addition to presenting Jesus' parables, Rettek takes a fresh look at the relationship between the Sanhedrin and the Roman authorities with some surprising revelations. He also offers a new view of the circumstances surrounding Jesus' arrest and crucifixion. Other sections examine the "Kingdom of Heaven" in relation to "the End Times" and the "Day of Judgment," Jewish Christianity's rise and fall, and the "family feud" that took place between Christianity and Judaism.
The author takes a controversial step by placing the gospels in the context of the times in which they were written. In so doing, he accounts for biblical scholars' almost universal agreement that they had been politicized and therefore cannot be taken as gospel.
Rettek, a physician, has written extensively. His portfolio includes magazine articles, biographies, short stories, a screenplay, a two-act play and several religious books. Trained by the Air Force as a specialist in aerospace medicine, Col. Rettek was sent on trouble-shooting assignments to bases both in the United States and Europe. In 1991, he retired as commander of a medical service squadron and was the oldest crewmember on flying status with prior World War II service. He currently lives in New York with his wife, Susan, a jewelry designer. They enjoy visiting with their children and grandchildren and live each day in "joyous celebration of God's many gifts."
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