The Crucifixion: Mistaken Identity? John the Baptist and Jesus the Christ by Agron Belica

What you will read may change you forever... published online for free download.

(BOSTON) - Perhaps one of the most important books written about religion in the modern age, The Crucifixion: Mistaken Identity? John the Baptist and Jesus the Christ by Agron Belica explores what came to be known as "The Crowned Theory." It makes too much sense to dismiss easily. It is important to understand that Muslims believe Jesus lived and performed miracles. He is honored as a prophet, but Islam rejects his divinity and the belief that he is the son of God. Rather, Muslims believe that he is a Prophet of God as Muhammad is a Prophet. In Islam, Jesus is a somewhat mystical figure and is the subject of a considerable amount of Islamic literature. His death on the cross, the centerpiece of Christianity, is denied by the Quran. This book is a fresh examination of the crucifixion with surprising results.

John the Baptist on the cross instead of Jesus? Before you dismiss such a bizarre theory, you might want to read “The Crucifixion: Mistaken Identity?” by Agron Belica. Having re-examined the relevant extant documents about perhaps the strangest figure in the New Testament, he presents his interesting theories, supported by sound scholarship and copious annotation, that challenge the traditional view of John as a minor character in the Messianic drama. Belica’s ideas have already attracted considerable attention. In order to make the results of his studies available to a wider audience, he has published his book for free download on the Internet. Let the reader decide for himself the merit of his controversial arguments. -Tim King

Of Albanian descent, first-generation American Agron Belica is largely self-educated. He accepted the responsibilities of life after his undisciplined teen years, spent mostly on the street with reckless gangbangers and brushes with the law. He is now married and the couple now have three children, all boys. His about-face was total and he began to study inspirational works and comparative religion.

He attended classes on Islam in New Jersey focusing on religious tenets, doctrinal differences, and the claims and beliefs of various Muslim sects. He also studied the proper recitation of the Quran and attained such proficiency in it that he was selected to perform the call to prayer, a great honor in a mosque, second only to leading the formal prayers.

Belica had a special interest in the history of the Prophet Yahya—John the Baptist. In 2008, this interest resulted in the issuance of his first essay on the neglected prophet: The Revival of the Prophet Yahya, a small article presenting an unorthodox view of Yahya/John. His revolutionary ideas attracted critics, vilifiers, and supporters. Among the latter, was the enterprising reporter, and award winning journalist, Tim King of Salem-News.com, who interviewed Belica. With the publication of that interview, Belica’s ideas went global.

The following year, he released a more thorough exposition of various aspects of the Yahya question: The Crucifixion: Mistaken Identity? (harvardbookstore.com). This time, the historical circumstances of the career of John the Baptist, extra-Biblical sources were carefully studied and cited and Belica’s contention that John was not beheaded was reinforced by the inclusion of Dr. Jay R. Crook’s essay. Rethinking John the Baptist, that strongly contests the validity of the Biblical version of John’s death on chronological grounds. Dr. Crook has also included that essay as an appendix in the revised edition of the volume on Jesus in his The Bible: An Islamic Perspective.

Belica’s work on some key words in the Quran has been referenced in Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar’s The Concordance of the Sublime Quran, a supplemental study resulting from translation of the Quran, The Sublime Quran, the first such translation by an American Muslim woman. Dr. Mahmoud Ayoub of the Hartford Seminary, Hartford, Connecticut, has declared that the book “is an engaging analysis of the life and mission of the two kindred religious personages, John the Baptist (Yahya) and Jesus (‘Isa)… the book will add much to the discussion of an epoch-making event had has shaped world history. The book is informative and entertaining. It is certainly worth reading.”

In her review of The Crucifixion: Mistaken Identity?, former Harvard University Professor of English Literature Dr. Harte Wiener wrote: “This book is slim, but both erudite and yet easy to follow, in its step by step progression through the many scriptures, seemingly so familiar is Agron Belica with every passage, the apt ones come easily to mind for him, and strike an immediate chord in us, no matter how familiar or unfamiliar we are with the text and story. And yet, this book is no recipe for persuasion. It is much more sophisticated than that. Written in a devout and true Muslim spirit, it is also—as mentioned at the beginning of this review—an inquiry and a wholly new contribution to that body of scriptural scholarship. Agron Belica advances a theory which sheds an entirely novel light on the views that are commonplace today, and, through an examination of linguistics, passages, intent, and meaning, causes us to re-examine, in an exciting, clue-ridden way, what we have assumed to be true about the three major religions for centuries, concentrating on his own Muslim faith.” Not resting on his laurels, after making a name for himself with this achievement in the field of serious comparative religion, he surprised and perhaps shocked his friends and associates by branching off into a totally different and seemingly-unrelated area: hip-hop music. He released his first songs in mid-2010 and since then, he has racked up an impressive number of hits for a newcomer. He quickly demonstrated that the popular medium can be used constructively as well as to entertain.

With his early background, it was an easy progression to writing and performing his own songs about his life experiences. The idea was to find music that was compatible with his style of singing and reflective lyrics. Belica performs and records his music at Double D Recording Studio in Franklin, MA. Owner, engineer, and an active musician himself, Patrick Dreier has produced and co-produced many albums out of Double D Recording Studio. He has become somewhat of a mentor for Belica who was new to music as a business, and for this Belica is eternally grateful.

Drier co-produced Belica’s first album Unexpected. It was released under the Out of the Blue Records label, Boston, MA. In this album, he addressed several social issues. Some of the early song titles reflect those interests, such as: Forgiveness, End of the Road, Street-Life, and Cost to be the Boss. Soon after the release of Unexpected, he was signed by a second label, Black Tree Music Productions, out of the West Coast. Agron began working on a new album, Newsic, that was commissioned by award-winning journalist and news reporter Tim King of Salem-News.com. In it, Belica’s humanitarian themes are evident: Depression, Hardship, medical marijuana in Cannabis, his research about the Prophet Yahya/John the Baptist in Sermon From the Throne, History dedicated to the peace activist Ken O’Keefe, and his last piece about the personal tragedy of a Jewish child in Brooklyn Boy.

Tim King says: “Every time Agron releases a new song, it blows me away. It is the new style, Newsic, and it brings current events into the popular culture better than almost any medium could. Once you listen to this you will either understand, or more completely understand the concept. This is not a time on earth to sing songs that fail to account for the reality of our situation. Newsic allows a solid interpretation of tragedy in ways that chill the listener to the bone. Agron's songs about Vittorio Arrigoni, the murdered activist who also was ripped away from humanity at large, the Tamil genocide in Sri Lanka, the plight of the Palestinians—they are a source of inspiration for so many of us, from the West Coast of the U.S. to Gaza and every point in between.”

Although the name Agron was borne by the famous King Agron of Illyria (now Albania), possibly meaning “dawn” in Albanian, Agron is very proud to point out that the name “Agron” could also be of Hebrew origin, dating back to the first High Priest Aaron, the brother of Moses. He refers to this interpretation of his name in Sermon From the Throne, one of the seven tracks of his forthcomingNewsic album.

A further indication of the breadth of Belica’s worldview and his passion for unity and peace is the names given to his sons. The eldest is Arabic: Jamal, meaning handsomeness, beauty. His second son from the Hebrew is named for the beloved child of Jacob and brother of Joseph, Benjamin. His third is named for the ancient Macedonian conqueror, Alexander the Great, whose quest was for a united world. Sadly, Agron comments, “We are still a long way from accomplishing that goal, but we have to begin somewhere. Why not with the naming of our own Children?” He hopes that in some small way his work, both in writing and in music will aid in achieving that goal.

His friend Dr. Jay R. Crook, the author of a number of books about comparative religion (The Bible: An Islamic Perspective series) and the translator of several Persian classics, edited and annotated Belica’s The Crucifixion: Mistaken Identity? About Belica, he said, “It was while working with him on that book that I got to know Agron quite well. Not only are his ideas original, but also he is adept at presenting them to the public. I had expected him to look for some other writing project after that one was accomplished, but I must confess he surprised me when he turned instead to singing. When his song was recorded, I was impressed, not just by the professionalism of the production, but by the lyrics he wrote himself from his own life experience as well. Just as his ideas about John the Baptist were original, so was the content of his song. Then, he has astonished me by putting together one song after another, each one different, but all possessing a unity of presentation and depth. That he could continue to meet or excel that standard set by his first song is nothing short of amazing.”

Moreover, the pro-Palestinian activist and award-winning musician, Gilad Atzmon, has said about Agron’s music: “If beauty is the capacity to introduce a change, Agron Belica is the true meaning of the culture of resistance. Through the beat, the lyrics, and the fat bass you can hear the sound of hope, but you can also envisage the prospect of a better future.”

We are hoping to hear more from this remarkable and talented author, singer, and songwriter, God-willing.

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Avid reader November 20, 2013 6:59 pm (Pacific time)

I read Mr. Belica's latest book, I recommend his work for anyone, Muslim, Christian or Jew or.... His logical approach is methodical and all he does is present the evidence, I think we can all benefit from this man's hard work.

Dhesy September 22, 2012 11:15 pm (Pacific time)

It is associated with the bread and wine clalrey showing precedence to the priesthood of the cult. (Hebrews 7:10,21) He is king of peace and of righteousness as is the One who died and was raised. It is one of the promises by oath in the Psalms (110). I wonder how to understand that Psalm the beauty of holiness, the womb of the morning, the woundings, the judgment, drinking from the torrent in the way Even that word order occurs only in the wisdom literature (Psalms once, Job once, Ecclesiastes 3 times).Why do you think? Maybe you will find another marvelous poem. I love what you have given us. Thanks.

M. Dennis Paul, Ph.D. September 13, 2012 9:20 pm (Pacific time)

I am impressed with the amount of detail Agron, as well his editor and good friend Jay Cook, have used in composing this remarkable thesis. No easy task, Agron sets about trying to justify, clarify, and rectify, as applicable, the disparities within various retellings of the history of John the Baptist and his relationship to Jesus the Christ. It is apparent to some that political movements of the time either changed, restricted or completely eliminated various contributions to the bible. It is conceivable that all such scriptural offerings in all the various religions underwent various pressures of a similar type. Agron opens several windows with which to air questions and suggestions that might lead to greater reasoning, awareness and understanding... part of a great gift we often take for granted (or, in some cases, refuse to employ). It is telling that some men will welcome a flame with which they may explore caverns of thought previously cursed by darkness while others will curse the flame and cling to the walls of darkness swearing that this is all there is... and all that should be. My brother Agron is most definitely the former.

Shakema Edwards September 11, 2012 6:52 pm (Pacific time)

I just read the book and i see why the christians and muslims are disturb by it and i just want to thank the author and the news for sharing this and they don't teach us this stuff and i thank god for people like yourselves your do god bless

Shakema Edwards September 11, 2012 6:49 pm (Pacific time)

F. David September 11, 2012 9:46 am (Pacific time)

If anyone has been affected by this evil mans book please feel free to visit website and learn the truth about the lord Jesus. http://www.catholic.com/documents/gods-love-for-you The Catholic Church prays for you always. Be Gone Satan!

Editor: You are the judge and jury are you F.? It's funny, I understand that Christians are not supposed to judge. Anyway, you are truly confused about this, why don't you follow our writer Kevin Annett, a clergyman turned activist who is trying to get the Catholic church thrown out of nations around the world due to the unchecked sex abuse that the supposedly celibate priests are allowed to conduct with the protection of the Vatican. Indeed, there are problems everywhere, we are not evil, we are in fact the total opposite of that.

F. David September 11, 2012 9:37 am (Pacific time)

Editor, if you have any love for the faith and for our lord Jesus Christ you will remove this evil man's publication from your newsite. This book is blasphemous and an insult to the Catholic Church. Muslims are not worthy to carry our lord's name. I sincerely hope you find it in your heart to do the right thing. We will pray for you and this sinner(s).

Editor: You think Agron is a sinner because why... he is Muslim? Let's get one thing straight F., you are no representative of God, you are a conveyor of dogma and the dirty, judgmental side of Christianity. I swear half my friends are Muslim, this does not make sense to me; Muslims are the most devoted people to God on the face of this earth and like Christians, they come in a wide spectrum.. Is it that you fail to understand that Muslims have their own view on Christ? Even though they do and the Jews both killed and deny the existence of Jesus as a prophet or son of God? Is it the possibility that there is confusion between John and Jesus? I would really like to know, and I hope you understand that Mr. Belica is one of the most dedicated human rights activists in the world. I think you have a great deal of evolution to experience friend.

Ralph E. Stone September 11, 2012 7:57 am (Pacific time)

Is the Bible factual? In many instances, it is not. There are many versions of the Bible depending on the religious traditions of specific denominations. It is indisputable that the Bible is full of factual historical errors and inconsistencies. Inconsistencies are not surprising given that Christ didn't write anything down and that many of the Biblical writers wrote about events they were not present at or based on oral history. However, just because whichever version of the Bible you use has errors of historical fact and inconsistencies does not diminish the inspirational, cultural, literary power of the Bible. Thus, I am always suspicious of those quoting the Bible as factual authority.

Agron Belica September 10, 2012 10:59 pm (Pacific time)

@Gabriel: KICK ROCKS!

Gabriel September 10, 2012 10:22 pm (Pacific time)

Very crafty author Man. this guy is the antichrist . Shame on you for what you do you devil

Tim King: Agron is illustrating many things, are you a lowbrow or what?

Patricia G. September 10, 2012 6:16 pm (Pacific time)

Great read, I must say. News editor was correct when he said sometimes we have to think outside of the box. Thank you, mr. Belica, you have answered a lot of questions for me. Congrats on your publication.

Patricia G. September 10, 2012 6:12 pm (Pacific time)

Very interesting read I must say. Recommending this to my reading club. News editor makes perfect sense when he says its time to look outside the box. Thank you Mr. Belica for opening my mind. You have answered many of my questions.

Tim King: Thanks Patricia!

Pharaoh September 10, 2012 3:47 pm (Pacific time)

Christianity and Islam just got served with an ass whipping. Will be sharing this on my blogs as well. Thanks for sharing guys.

Agron Belica September 10, 2012 2:51 pm (Pacific time)

DEAR READERS: Notice that they are not countering any of my arguments. Don't worry i'll wait...Lol!!! CHOKE ON IT!!! Thats all for now . Agron 'ACE' Belica

Like Easter September 10, 2012 11:56 am (Pacific time)

BYW, thinking, "out of the box" is like thinking out of the way of God. Again, Romans 3:4, "Let God be true and every man a liar" when you add your Ideologies. You have liken God to human kind and therefore unable to direct man's thoughts towards His will in written form. Sounds like you believe God was unaware Muslims would be around after Christ. Ever hear of Ishmael and Easu?

6 It is not as though the word of God had failed. For not all those who are descended from Israel are truly Israel (Romans 9:6).

It was not through Abraham's seed -- the nation Israel (as if "seed" were plural) -- but through Jesus (Abraham's "seed" is singular) that the blessings of God's covenant with Abraham come upon men (Jews and Gentiles and Arabs, who trust in Jesus):

15 Brothers and sisters, I offer an example from everyday life: When a covenant has been ratified, even though it is only a human contract, no one can set it aside or add anything to it. 16 Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his descendant. Scripture does not say, "and to the descendants," referring to many, but "and to your descendant," referring to one, who is Christ (Galatians 3:15-16).

Abraham's spiritual seed are all those, Jew or Gentile, who place their trust in Jesus as the promised Messiah, as God's only way of salvation:

DJ: If you have even a cursory understanding of history, you know that over the last few thousand years, there have been thousands of religions and they all believed, as you do, that their religion was the true religion. Out of all those religions, (Judaism (about five thousand years old) and Christianity (about two thousand years old) ) which god is the real god. I vote for Baal.

Luke Easter September 10, 2012 11:30 am (Pacific time)

Matthew 7:14 is the fourteenth verse of the seventh chapter of the Gospel of Matthew in the New Testament and is part of the Sermon on the Mount. This verse continues a metaphor begun in the previous one about the ease of following the wrong path. In the King James Version of the Bible the text reads: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. The World English Bible translates the passage as: How narrow is the gate, and restricted is the way that leads to life! Few are those who find it. Is the Bible just a collection of myths and legends, or is it the inspired word of God? Many assume that modern scholarship has discredited the Bible, but the facts of history — and the discoveries of archaeology — confirm its contents to be true! The Bible recounts the past with amazing accuracy — and it predicts the future like no other book! Most of the world has been misled and misinformed about the Bible. You need to understand the truth — and how it can affect your life! Question: "What is a Christian?" Answer: A dictionary definition of a Christian would be something similar to “a person professing belief in Jesus as the Christ or in the religion based on the teachings of Jesus.” While this is a good starting point, like many dictionary definitions, it falls somewhat short of really communicating the biblical truth of what it means to be a Christian. The word “Christian” is used three times in the New Testament (Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16). Followers of Jesus Christ were first called “Christians” in Antioch (Acts 11:26) because their behavior, activity, and speech were like Christ. The word “Christian” literally means, “belonging to the party of Christ” or a “follower of Christ.” Unfortunately over time, the word “Christian” has lost a great deal of its significance and is often used of someone who is religious or has high moral values but who may or may not be a true follower of Jesus Christ. Many people who do not believe and trust in Jesus Christ consider themselves Christians simply because they go to church or they live in a “Christian” nation. But going to church, serving those less fortunate than you, or being a good person does not make you a Christian. Going to church does not make you a Christian any more than going to a garage makes you an automobile. Being a member of a church, attending services regularly, and giving to the work of the church does not make you a Christian. The Bible teaches that the good works we do cannot make us acceptable to God. Titus 3:5 says, “He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.” So, a Christian is someone who has been born again by God (John 3:3; John 3:7; 1 Peter 1:23) and has put faith and trust in Jesus Christ.

Agron Belica September 10, 2012 10:05 am (Pacific time)

Blah...blah...blah...bible researcher for over 40 years....Lol! The book is free 2 the world...CHOKE ON IT!!! Thats all for now. -Agron 'ACE' Belica

Anonymous September 10, 2012 7:23 am (Pacific time)

As an avid researcher of Bible and religions for 40 years, I have already learned of this theory...It has enough holes in it to be a spaghetti strainer. I think Tim might not censor/edit as daniel does, so here goes: 1. Salem-news is so caught up in the liberal democrat agenda they cant see truth. This is a typical "social engineering" tactic written in many books. 2. Salem-news exposes atrocities, article after article. Another "social engineering" tactic. Show the atrocities enough and people become immuned and numb to them. All written in the globalists "social engineering" books. 3. Salem-news will not even try to expose those who are causing it, instead they make it a left/right issue. The left/right issue is also written in the "social engineering" globalists books. The globalists control both left/right, so its a mute point. In simple terms, not to write a novel here, democrats were used as a tool for a welfare state to control the people, and republicans were used for wars to build their world empire...Its much more elaborate, but I would need 10 pages to write it. Bottom line, is too many people are falling for this false paradime. Another major step for the globalists is to eliminate family, and any/all talk of Jesus Christ. They dealt with Christ and His followers before and it set them back a century. they hate Christ, thus, theories written such as the one in this article. 5. Salem-news is either completely ignorant, and simply stuck in the matrix of lies, or they are getting government grants, same as churches get 501c3's. Thats all I got.I dont want to visit this website anymore, but I hope Tim at least has the balls to actually post my last comment here...Time to move on, this is a waste of time. I do want to thank salem-news for at least putting a little effort into the 911 lies, and Dr Phil..thats about it. bye all, good luck, dont get caught in the false paradime. Tim: without a deep hearted root in truth, people, such as yourself, will fall for anything. You should learn about "social engineering" because you are a slave to it. To be free of it only hurts for a short time, but the freedom you feel after is priceless.

Luke Easter September 10, 2012 3:31 am (Pacific time)

How about just reading the Bible and relying on those facts instead of manmade theories. Especially from those who are not, born again Christians. Romans 3:4, "Let God be true and every man a liar" that settles it because, 1st Corinthians 14:33, “For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all churches of the saints” not of the Muslims. Hosea 4:6, “My people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge” that is of God’s word and no other. 2nd Corinthians 5:7, “For we walk by faith and not by sight” only from the word of God, not human speculations. Jude 5, "God destroyed those who believed Him not" period.

Editor: It looks from this as if you are suggesting the Bible references Muslims? Muslims did not exist until more than 600 years after Christ, the Bible, old and new, were both written long before that. Of course the Bible has been rewritten to reflect the needs of kings and political leaders, most of whom are patriarchal-oriented thieves of equal rights. I am a Christian and I do not believe that it's my way or the highway, traditional thoughts sure haven't gotten us very far, it is a good time to think out of the box.

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