The New Jerusalem

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For the poem also known by this title, see And did those feet in ancient time.

The New Jerusalem is a 1920 book written by British writer G. K. Chesterton.

Author Quotes:

"On the road to Cairo one may see twenty groups exactly like that of the Holy Family in the pictures of the Flight into Egypt; with only one difference. The man is riding on the ass."
"The real mistake of the Muslims is something much more modern in its application than any particular passing persecution of Christians as such. It lay in the very fact that they did think they had a simpler and saner sort of Christianity, as do many modern Christians. They thought it could be made universal merely by being made uninteresting. Now a man preaching what he thinks is a platitude is far more intolerant than a man preaching what he admits is a paradox. It was exactly because it seemed self-evident, to Muslims as to Bolshevists, that their simple creed was suited to everybody, that they wished in that particular sweeping fashion to impose it on everybody."

Also with the same title, 'The New Jerusalem' is a recent book (2002) by British author Adrian Gilbert. In this book Gilbert explores the forces involved in the rebuilding of London following the Great Fire of 1666. He shows that there was a secret tradition that the British are descended from the Lost Tribes of Israel and that the capital city of Britain should therefore be re-modelled as a New Jerusalem for the coming Age of Enlightenment. Gilbert presents evidence showing that this belief has its origins from at least the 6th century AD. It became more popular at the time of Elizabeth I and spread in influence during the Stuart period. It reached its height of influence during and just after the First World War. Gilbert shows that though the full idea of rebuilding London as a New Jerusalem had to be abandoned for practical reasons, certain building (notably St Paul's Cathedral) contain elements of the plan in their design.