Spiritual Interpretation of Scripture Paperback – 12 Jan. 2000

Ordered as a present, was well received and I believe is working his way through Joel's extensive book list.

Good book

A wonderful book of real spiritual value.

Not quite an exact re-print of Joel Goldsmith's original book. However, I found the layout and larger print & layout very easy on the eyes.Would definitely recommend.Negative - the cover is easily damaged!

I found this a very interesting book but I have mixed feelings about it. Having read one of Goldsmith's other works prior to this I had a reasonable understanding of his ideas already, but a beginner would probably struggle since there is no explanation of the terms he uses, or of his views on the true nature of reality, just an assumption that they are already understood by the reader.I found some of it very positive. I have always thought of the Bible as more symbolic than literal so I found Goldsmith's analysis of some of the stories, people and events in the Bible deeply relevant and interesting to my own approach. He describes well known stories as such as 'The Loaves and the Fishes' and Moses' journey into The Promised Land and illustrates his view that all these so-called historical events are in fact symbols of Divine Consciousness that is in every individual. This can be compared to night time dreams which are also very symbolic, if understood at the level they are trying to speak.However, I didn't like or agree with all Goldsmith's views, namely that 'sin' (I dislike that word) and issues such as illness and suffering, do not actually exist. I understand that love is the fabric of existence and that the human mind can be seen to be creating hell on Earth by living through fear. But in my view things like illness, death and decay are part of a physical existence in a human body and try as we might we can't shed our bodies while on this Earth. Goldsmith seems to argue that once we accept Divine Consciousness and live through spiritual awareness, things like illness will no longer be in our lives. Well this goes against the fact that many deeply spiritual men and women who devoted their lives to such understanding have developed chronic illness and in some cases have died. I myself have long term painful health issues and while I wouldn't call myself enlightened, I have followed a spiritual approach and have had great awareness of the spiritual for many years, including vivid experiences through meditation.Also, not intending to knock Goldsmith further, but it's worth pointing out for the review's sake that he refers to Mary Eddy Baker as someone who had similar views to him and who argued that there was no need to seek healing other than to realise our Divine Consciousness and know illness doesn't actually exist. However, on research I found that Baker herself underwent natural physical decline, suffering from various ailments for which she accepted medical treatment despite the fact her views argue against it.So I guess to sum up I found parts of this book very useful, but I didn't agree with the fundamental views underlying it. Personally I have great difficulty with the notion that once you realise you are 'God' (or whatever term you feel most comfortable with) all your Earthly worries will disappear. I believe that yes we are spiritual beings but this doesn't change the fact that we are currently in a material world where there is life and death decay, aging and the rest. It's as much part of life as our spiritual reality. That is what I believe.

This book by Joel Goldsmith is probably more suited to a reader who has acquired a taste for J Goldsmiths literature and 'philosophy'. I was introduced to J. Goldsmith with 'The Art of Meditation' and I would definitely recommend this book to anyone with a Christian background looking for a deeper spiritual meaning to the teachings of the bible and church.Spiritual Interpretation of Scripture is better understood when you have achieved some measure of J. Goldsmiths 'concept' and understanding of the invisible infinite. In this book he seems to assume that the reader has already grasped an understanding of oneness with God and creation and anybody who has not read a more detailed description of J. Goldsmiths 'philosophy' may easily get lost among the lines and paragraphs of his chapters. Again, 'The Art of Meditation' is a wonderful introduction. With only 150 pages, it is a book I would usually eat in an afternoon. But three weeks later I was at long last coming to the end of not only a wonderful book but also a wonderful journey within.