The Search for Truth

by · john temple

With pen & ink illustrations by
kateryna zubakhina

¶ In the twelve chapters of this unusual book, occult writer and theologian John Temple explores and investigates the many links between Religion and the Occult, focusing especially on the hidden meaning concealed within the Bible and its many correspondences with the Wisdom Teachings of ancient Egypt. The subjects include, but are not limited to: folly and wisdom; hidden wisdom in the Bible; the problem of good and evil; the true nature of God and man; the esoteric meaning of the birth and death of Christ; the real meaning of the parables of Jesus; original sin; the fall of man; the facts and fictions of the Christian Church; the secrets of the ancient Egyptian religion; and the magical power of prayer.

¶ The Bible is regarded by many scholars as belonging to a special category of literature, sometimes called sacred texts. The distinguishing characteristic of this kind of writing is that, while many of its narratives have a historical basis, the language itself is largely, though not entirely, allegorical and symbolical; it is constructed of symbols and myths containing profound spiritual truths. Why this is so, and why the Bible was written in this way, is masterfully explained by John Temple in his book. Not everyone is convinced there is any hidden meaning in the Bible. There are many people who accept nothing but the most literal interpretation of this sacred text. There are others who, whilst they acknowledge that there is a hidden meaning, insist on confining it within the straitjacket of Christian dogma, and are horrified and repelled in equal measure at the very suggestion that it has any connection with the ‘occult’, which they have been taught to believe is rank superstition at best and tantamount to devil-worship at worst.

¶ As John Temple demonstrates, approaching the Bible with an open mind and full attention we can experience not a few surprises and a broadening of our understanding of many of life’s mysteries, regardless of our religious convictions, or even if we have none at all. It is not the author’s desire to undermine the faith of any Christian in the literal reading of the Bible with all its beauty, consolation and inspiration. On the contrary, his aim and hope are that such faith may be strengthened by an understanding of the hidden wisdom which is concealed in plain sight of all. The Bible, like other sacred texts, is written in a particular language full of allegory and symbolism. This very ancient language was designed to reveal the hidden truths of life, to convey metaphysical ideas, and to describe higher and lower states and planes of consciousness. It is constructed of symbols, metaphors, myths and allegories, none of which were intended to be taken literally. This at once answers the criticism of atheists and sceptics alike that the Bible “piles the incredible upon the impossible.” It does so only for those who cannot, or will not see beneath the surface and know nothing of the Mystery Language.

¶ The authors and compilers of the Bible were very learned men, steeped in Greek philosophy, Jewish mysticism and the remnants of the Mystery Teachings of ancient Egypt, Chaldea and Persia. Without some prior knowledge of these sources the Bible will remain a closed book to us. In The Search for Truth, John Temple provides the reader with some of the lost occult keys without which it is impossible to unlock the hidden meaning concealed within the many biblical stories, symbols and sacred teachings, some of which pre-date Christianity by many millenia.