Christopher Columbus Book Of Prophecies Pdf
Christopher Columbus Book of Prophecies pdf
The Book of Prophecies is a collection of biblical texts and excerpts from patristic writings and medieval theology that was compiled by Christopher Columbus towards the end of his life. He believed that his voyages to the Indies were part of God's plan for the salvation of humanity and the liberation of Jerusalem from Muslim domination. The Book of Prophecies reveals his religious vision and his interpretation of history and prophecy.
History and Content of the Book
Columbus began to work on the Book of Prophecies in September 1501, after he returned from his third voyage to the Americas. He was in chains and facing charges of mismanagement and tyranny in the colonies. He sought to justify his actions and protect his rights by appealing to the authority of Scripture and the Church Fathers. He also hoped to persuade the Spanish monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabella, to sponsor a crusade to conquer Jerusalem, which he considered a necessary step for the second coming of Christ.
Christopher Columbus Book Of Prophecies Pdf
The Book of Prophecies consists of four parts: a prologue, a collection of prophecies, an exposition of the prophecies, and a letter to Ferdinand and Isabella. The prologue explains the purpose and method of the book, as well as Columbus's personal testimony. The collection of prophecies contains about 200 passages from the Old and New Testaments, as well as from various Christian authors, such as Augustine, Jerome, Thomas Aquinas, and Nicholas of Lyra. The exposition of the prophecies is a commentary on some of the selected texts, in which Columbus applies them to his own situation and mission. The letter to Ferdinand and Isabella is a summary of the main arguments and a plea for their support.
Significance and Legacy of the Book
The Book of Prophecies is a unique document that reveals the religious motivation and worldview of Columbus. It shows that he was not only an explorer and an administrator, but also a visionary and a prophet. He saw himself as an instrument of God's will, chosen to fulfill ancient prophecies and to prepare the way for the end times. He also saw his discoveries as part of a universal history that involved all peoples and nations.
The Book of Prophecies also influenced later generations of writers and thinkers who were interested in Columbus's role in history and prophecy. Some examples are Bartolomé de las Casas, who defended the rights of the indigenous peoples; Francisco López de Gómara, who wrote a biography of Columbus; Paolo Emilio Taviani, who edited a modern edition of the book; and Salvador de Madariaga, who wrote a historical novel based on the book.
Where to Find the Book
The original manuscript of the Book of Prophecies is preserved in the Biblioteca Colombina in Seville, Spain. It was transcribed by Columbus's son Ferdinand, who also added some notes and corrections. The manuscript consists of 84 folios, written in Spanish, Latin, and Italian.
There are several editions and translations of the book available online. One of them is [The book of prophecies edited by Christopher Columbus], which was published by the University of California Press in 1997. It contains a historical introduction by Roberto Rusconi, a critical edition of the documents by Rusconi, an English translation by Blair Sullivan, and indexes. Another one is [The Book of Prophecies], which was published by Wipf and Stock Publishers in 2004. It is based on Rusconi's edition, but with some revisions and additions. A third one is [Book of Prophecies], which is an article on Wikipedia that summarizes the main features and content of the book.