Each of the four Gospels has some of the same details, as well as different details.  For example, the story of the Magi visiting Jesus at birth is only told in Matthew, and the story of the Shepherds is only told in Luke.  The story of Jesus washing the feet of his disciples is told only in John.  Matthew and Luke share the story of the Poor Woman's Gift, while Matthew and Mark share the story of the Greatest Commandment.  Only Luke has the "Father forgive them..." quotation from Jesus on the cross.  These are only a few examples.

Therefore, to read the entire life and teachings of Jesus, a reader must read all four Gospels, and the particular circumstances in each story must be remembered and conjoined in the reader's mind.  In reality, only scholars have the capability to accomplish such a reconciliation through very detailed study.  For the rest of us, we learn about Jesus in bits and pieces.

If it can be stated in brief, the author has superimposed all four Gospels onto each other and removed duplication.  What is left is simply all parts of the four Gospels that are the same and all parts that are different.  As a result, in 230 pages, the reader receives the entire message of Jesus with greater clarity and impact.  Although some will find this work an accurate reflection suitable for their entire study of Jesus, this work is intended to supplement and not to replace the divine works; however, after reading this work, because of its clarity, impact and ease of reading, the reader should have a far greater understanding of the original Gospels.

For the preacher, student and scholar, the author has documented the unification process in a 50-page Unification Index that contains over 2,900 references back to the original source Gospels.  Each of those 2,900 references sources back to as many as four of the source Gospels, depending upon how many sources were used for the particular text. 

Let us illustrate with one representative example:

In Matthew 18:21-22, the command to forgive is as follows: "Then Peter approaching asked him, 'Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him?  As many as seven times?'  Jesus answered, you should forgive him, not seven times but seventy-seven times."

In Luke 17:3-4, it is as follows: "Be on your guard!  If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he wrongs you seven times in one day and returns to you seven times saying, ‘I am sorry,’ you should forgive him."

Luke, of course, has an express condition of repentance.  A reader of the Gospels must put these two different verses together in his or her mind to gain a full understanding of the message.  In ONE, the text reads as follows:

^[1707] Then Peter approaching asked him, "Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him?  As many as seven times?” ^[1708] Jesus answered, ^[1709] “Be on your guard!  If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. ^[1710] And if he wrongs you seven times in one day and returns to you seven times saying, ‘I am sorry,’ you should forgive him. ^[1711] I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times."

The different fonts are used here for illustrative purposes. See ONE:1707-1711.  It reads in the unified text very smoothly as follows:

^[1707] Then Peter approaching asked him, "Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him?  As many as seven times?” ^[1708] Jesus answered, ^[1709] “Be on your guard!  If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. ^[1710] And if he wrongs you seven times in one day and returns to you seven times saying, ‘I am sorry,’ you should forgive him. ^[1711] I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times."

In this way, ONE reads as easily as novel for the casual reader, with greater impact and clarity, and the preacher, student and scholar and source the [1707-1711] references back to the Unification Index, and then back to the divine works.   See more unification samples.

Therefore, the Universal Version is unique in two ways: first it is a consolidation of the Christian Gospels, then it is prepared with sensitivity as stated.  The Universal Version does not reference certain miracles that rest on Christian faith, such as Jesus walking on water or rising from the dead. 

We recommend that Christians start with the Divine Version.  Christians can then, only if they are so inclined and philosophically open-minded, follow-up with the Universal Version.  The opposite is true for non-Christians.  We recommend that non-Christians start with the Universal Version, then, if they are so inclined and philosophically open-minded, follow-up with the Divine Version.

ONE is a truly unique and important work that everyone should read.

Now Available in Stocking Stuffer 5-Paks - Buy 4 Get 1 Free.  Makes great gifts for friends and family.  Limited Time - Limited Quantities!  $124.75  $79.99