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Fr. Paul Keenan
1946-2008

Fr. Paul died suddenly and unexpectedly on Tuesday June 10th. He was a man and a priest of great wisdom, care and humility - and a dear friend to Quadratos.

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"Beyond The Biography of Jesus: The Journey of Quadratos, Book I"
by Alexander J. Shaia, Ph.D.

Did Jesus marry, or even have children who carried on his bloodline? Have Jesus' words been lost? Did Jesus die and rise, only to die again?

Alexander Shaia, psychologist, religious educator, and now author, responds, "Interesting questions, but they aren't about faith."

Shaia's groundbreaking research unearthed the sayings of the early Christian teacher Bishop Ireneaus. At the end of the second century, the Bishop watched his congregation die brutally at Roman hands. In his devastation, he was determined to preserve the true gospels. But which ones to save? He knew the gospels must not simply tell the life of Jesus, but something more. According to Ireneaus, Christianity was built on the number four-four questions, four practices, four points on the cross, four prayers. So, the Bishop knew that of some 30 gospels written, that number had to be narrowed to 4. Each text chosen must answer one of the four great questions: How do we face change? How do we face suffering? How do we receive joy? How do we serve? And they must answer the question which tore at his heart and still renders our hearts today. How does God let this happen?

Beyond the Biography of Jesus: The Journey of Quadratos Book l answers all of these questions. Shaia discovered that the four traditional gospels, combined with the sequence in which they are read, is the universal path to faith and transformation. He calls this path, "The Journey of Quadratos."

How do we face change? We can all remember a searing experience of loss. The Gospel of Matthew opens just after the Jewish temple is destroyed, leaving no leaders, no temple, no heirs. Matthew says over and over, "God is with you." This is the first path of quadratos, when you realize God is with you despite the devastating loss. Matthew says, "Go forward into the unknown. Go with Jesus as he lives in all." How do we face suffering? The Gospel of Mark, the second path of quadratos, is the unknown. It is the horrendous feeling of the unfamiliar and the question, "Can I survive?" This gospel opens after Emperor Nero let Rome burn. Jews, blamed for the fire, were asked if they believed in the Messiah. If they answered yes, they were killed. If no, they had to turn on other Jews who would then be put to death. This is the part of struggle where we don't know which way to turn. Mark said, "God pushes us further to find Him on the other side."

How do we receive joy? In The Gospel of John, we've gotten to the other side, the third path of quadratos. We've all experienced an epiphany. We can't believe we lived through the pain and made it to the other side. We feel joy again. In the time of John's gospel, life was abundant and harmonious. People then knew, as we do, that such joy and harmony are not for ourselves alone. How do we serve? In The Gospel of Luke, the fourth path, Jesus says, "Pray for your bread daily." During Luke's time, Christians and Jews realized they were not of the same faith, and separated from each other with difficulty. But faith had taken hold Ð and allowed forgiveness, compassion and trust to be a daily practice. On the fourth path, conflict is handled with serenity. Joy is shared with others. And love is expressed through service.

Each gospel answers a moment in our lives and the cycle begins once more--testing our faith yet again. The sequence of the Gospels of Mathew, Mark, John and Luke, read for two thousands years, is as much a path to healing today as it was centuries ago.

Beyond the Biography of Jesus satisfies our heads, touches our hearts and shows how these gospels are relevant to everyoneÐChristian and non-Christian alike. Shaia offers a new interpretation of The Four Gospels and answers today's questions about the Christian Scriptures. He discloses how the gospels - in the restored reading sequence (Christianity's Universal Lectionary) - are a pragmatic map for our never-ending journey of psychological growth and spiritual transformation.

Valerie Andrews

Writer/Editor/Producer, San Rafael, CA

"This book is about a universal process that has the power to bring all religions back to their roots and to help us move beyond the notion of 'who's right' and 'who's wrong.'"

Rev. JeanAnne Swope

Interim Presbytery Executive, Presbyterian Church (USA), retired

"This is the most refreshing look at the Gospels that I have seen since seminary over 35 years ago. My faith has been invigorated and renewed."

About the Author

Born in Birmingham, Alabama into the Maronite Christian tradition, Shaia holds degrees in cultural anthropology, counseling education, religious education, pastoral psychotherapy, and a doctorate in clinical psychology, as well as a specialization in Jungian Sandplay.

A resident of Santa Fe, New Mexico, Dr. Shaia speaks internationally, conducting retreats, workshops and presentations on Quadratos, Christian spirituality and rites of passage. He is adjunct faculty at numerous universities and colleges, and is the creator of the Blue Door Retreat in Santa Fe, a place of beauty for contemplation and deepening in spiritual practice. To learn more about Dr. Shaia's work, please go to www.quadratos.com and bluedoorretreat.com

About the Books

Notes to the editor: Beyond the Biography of Jesus: The Journey of Quadratos, Book I
Published by Cold Tree Press, Nashville, TN
Hardback $22.95     Paperback $14.95     ISBN: 1-58385-043-0     171 pages 9x6
Regional on-sale date: June 23, 2006     National Pub Date: September 15, 2006
Distributed by Ingram

Beyond the Biography of Jesus: The Journey of Quadratos, Book I, reveals how Quadratos formed early Christianity's choice and sequencing of the four gospels, and the Gospels of Matthew and Mark as exemplars of the first and second paths of Quadratos.

Study Guide to Book I by Alexander Shaia with Darcy Wharton - available mid-August by purchase and download from www.quadratos.com.

Beyond the Biography of Jesus: The Journey of Quadratos, Book II available Holiday 2006 from Cold Tree Press. Book II reveals the Gospels of John and Luke as exemplars of the third and fourth paths of Quadratos, and describes the seven spiritual practices to move Christianity and all of us forward.

Study Guide to Book II available Winter 2007 from www.quadratos.com

To arrange an interview, speaking engagement or to receive a review copy, please contact: Melissa Weiner/ straydogmedia8@aol.com, 505-920-4006.