40 years passed between the time Jesus was crucified and the first surviving book, the Gospel of Mark, was written. In those four decades Christianity developed at a rapid pace, but it's evolution was not recorded in any documents that have survived. Virtually every Christian institution operates on the basis that the religion began with the New Testament accounts, but there were 40 critical years of Christian development that preceded Mark's writings. Delving into the many alternative contemporary albeit nonbiblical sources that have survived, the author has attempted to capture the spirit that existed when the Christian faith was in its infancy. The core values that existed before the Christian church became institutionalized are remarkably similar to those that ostensibly are the underpinnings of our 21st century Western society.
About the Author: Jerry Ford is not an academic, his lifelong interest in history and religious studies resulted in this book. From a Christian perspective he found that there were so many questions for which there were no adequate answers, just the kind of challenge needed to put him on a course to try and determine the true facts insofar as possible. He is a chartered professional accountant who spent his working career in public accounting, adult education, financial consulting and administration. Research and writing had been an integral part of his consulting work and he continued on that path following his retirement at 55, a change necessitated by health issues. He has written a number of articles for newspapers and magazines on a broad range of topics, this is his first book. His next goal is a work of fiction that deals with the slow but inevitable descent of apparently normal people into the black hole of evil. Services to the charitable and not for profit sector were an important part of Jerry's life before he retired, and that expanded significantly following retirement with a particular emphasis on community radio and television. In the past two years he has had to cut back on these activities, which has allowed him to concentrate more time on his research and writing. Jerry has been living with multiple sclerosis for 40 years, reluctantly making the life style changes that were required to accommodate the relentless progression of this disease. Knowing what the future held for him provided him with the incentive to live life to the fullest, living deliberately is his mantra. He did not complete everything on his bucket list before being sidelined, but he is still working away at it. He still manages to garden vicariously, enjoying the beauty of the deck flower boxes planted and tended by his grandchildren, friends and helpers.