In the book, released in February by Harmony, Chopra states, "I have written what I think the New Testament means…" And what it means to Chopra, the author of more than 40 books, is quite different from the way orthodox Christians have understood it through the centuries.

Chopra believes that the "real" Jesus -- the third Jesus -- is much less than the New Testament makes him out to be.

According to Chopra, Jesus was nothing more than an adherent to what we now call New Age philosophy.

"Jesus did not physically descend from God's dwelling place … nor did he return to sit at the right hand of a literal throne," writes Chopra. "What made Jesus the Son of God was the fact that he had achieved God-consciousness."

We shouldn't discount Chopra's book and assume no one is reading it. Sadly, the opposite true. "The Third Jesus" -- full of New Age, heretical pabulum -- was ranked third March 30 on The New York Times' list for hardcover advice books.