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Motivated by the desire to clarify relationships between the Edgar Cayce readings and mainstream Christian teachings, Jim Brown has come up with a remarkable treatment that will be welcomed by most students of the readings. Having been met with skepticism and resistance, if not downright antagonism, from members of his own church—as well as others—the author desired to demonstrate that he found little conflict between the two approaches to spiritual understanding. While the concept of reincarnation created momentary pause, as it does for most devout Christians, even that resolved itself in time. The result of his efforts—this book—is exceptional.

Brown, a committed Christian, a teacher, and an elder in his church, went through several experiences that led him to seek a closer association with Jesus the Christ, the Master. Embarking on a study of the Edgar Cayce materials more than 30 years ago, he finally began to anticipate fulfillment of his yearnings. With his wife sharing the search, they found that the information in the Search for God readings, (the 262 series) and participation in several SFG study groups, presented the basis for genuine integration of their accepted orthodox beliefs and the concepts found in the readings.

His book—divided into five sections and liberally laced with quotes from the readings, the Bible, and other spiritual texts—traces the couple’s quest, which ended in an unqualified blending of the orthodox and the unorthodox. He neither challenges anyone’s faith nor causes dissent, because of the unusual nature of the readings. At the outset there is a distillation of the readings’ concepts pertaining to humankind’s spiritual nature. That, followed by an in-depth look at the development of the major religious systems, particularly the Christian, leads naturally to discourses on the relevance of the Cayce readings to Christianity’s teachings. (I was quite taken with a brief but potent section, “Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up”—varied viewpoints concerning the importance of Jesus, historically and theologically.) Brown then discusses the applicability of Christian spirituality, as presented in the readings, and offers a Christ-centered view for world transformation.

Finally, the author presents his belief that the Edgar Cayce readings have two valuable offerings for modern-day Christianity: 1) a balanced understanding of the life and mission of Jesus; and 2) the application of that understanding in daily life.

Jim Brown has done a brilliant job of juxtaposing the churches’ teachings and the readings’ contributions to those teachings without setting them against each other. His is surely a must-read for all serious students of both fields of thought.

Jim Dixon
(The reviewer is A.R.E.’s Spiritual Growth/Search for God Program Representative.)
(This review was published in VENTRE INWARD magazine May/June 2002)

“I must say that I find your book the finest and most helpful—especially for Christian believers—summary account of the Edgar Cayce readings that I have read. It is also the most comprehensive account in one volume that I know. Your interpretations and explanations are, to my mind, almost without exception, perceptive and wise. There is consistently fine balance maintained throughout, and, I may add, good taste throughout.

I do think that you have largely succeeded in achieving what appears to be your primary purpose: That is, not only to make the man and his work understandable and acceptable to the larger public of church members, but especially to broaden, enrich and indeed purify our understanding and practice of Christian faith.”

Richard Henry Drummond, Ph.D.
Professor of Ecumenical Mission and History of Religions, Emeritus
University of Dubuque Theological Seminary
Author of: A Broader Vision: Perspectives on the Buddha and the Christ,
A Life of the Christ and numerous other books and articles.
(Used with permission)