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stepanana's review against another edition
2.0
I can appreciate Jefferson's struggle with the theology and content of the gospels as presented in the bible. I think he had good intentions -- he was struggling to understand his own beliefs and faith in God. So in an attempt to explain things that he couldn't logically explain, such as the divinity of Jesus, he reconstructed the gospels into one new gospel that excluded any verses/passages that talked of healing miracles and being the son of God.
While I can understand this struggle, I still agree with C.S. Lewis who said that either Jesus was the son of God or insane -- I don't think we can truly respect his humanity without acknowledging his divinity.
While I can understand this struggle, I still agree with C.S. Lewis who said that either Jesus was the son of God or insane -- I don't think we can truly respect his humanity without acknowledging his divinity.
lisawhelpley's review against another edition
4.0
This took me a long time to get through. I think I would have gotten more out of it if I had more biblical knowledge. Really interesting concept, and impossible to imagine happening by a current elected official.
kymme's review against another edition
5.0
Fascinating story of the creation and conservation of Jefferson’s own weird little Bible. Jefferson used two copies of the Bible in four languages (Greek, Latin, French, and English) to cut out and paste all of the Jesus stories in each language in chronological order, with all miracles/supernatural elements excised. It’s a fascinating linguistic and (quasi-anti?)religious document, reproduced here exactly, down to the binding, size, glue stains and even a little extra 3-D flap and Jefferson’s handwritten corrections and annotations. Loved the conservation details and found the existence of “Jefferson’s Bible” so odd and oddly compelling.
mcallis47's review against another edition
4.0
Procures the philosophy of christ well, but excluding the sacrificial element of the crucifixion misses the entire aspect of individual responsibility, something Jefferson of all people should have recognized as vital to the Christian myth, even for an attempt at a rational perspective.
kenreid's review against another edition
1.0
The deist approach to the Bible. I was promised a "scientific perspective", which is simply untrue.
klkramer2's review against another edition
1.0
Two reasons why I rated this with only 1 star. 1) Jesus's claims of deity have been taken out. 2) The story ends with Jesus in a tomb rather than any mention of the central point of Christianity (which Thomas Jefferson claims in the opening statements), the resurrection.
Thomas Jefferson is doing what many have done unsuccessfully for centuries before and after. He picks and chooses the most convenient passages, so as to influence his own life but not make any transformative commitments. Without answering my two objections, the "morals" in the title are bankrupt drivel.
Thomas Jefferson is doing what many have done unsuccessfully for centuries before and after. He picks and chooses the most convenient passages, so as to influence his own life but not make any transformative commitments. Without answering my two objections, the "morals" in the title are bankrupt drivel.
guinness74's review against another edition
3.0
I suppose I expected a more condensed version of the Gospels in Jefferson's work. And, while it is more condensed (by leaving out all the miracles and resurrection story), it is not more concise. He's merely stripped away those parts and left everything else in. So, as with other parts of the Bible, we're left reading similar passages, with similar wording, over and over again.
However, in this edition, if you continue on past Jefferson's manipulation of the Gospels, you'll read an afterword by Jaroslav Pelikan which takes Jefferson to task (lightly) for this very thing. AND, recommends some readings that portend to do exactly what I expected this to do: distill the teachings of Jesus to their very essence and clearing out the "dung" from the "diamonds." Of particular interest are writings by Hermann Samuel Reimarus, Tatian's Diatessaron,Edward Gibbon, Hume, Goethe, and John Henry Newman. That said, I'm not sure that any of these accomplish the task...so we are left with Jefferson's Bible. And, for its Deist background, it's not a bad attempt.
However, in this edition, if you continue on past Jefferson's manipulation of the Gospels, you'll read an afterword by Jaroslav Pelikan which takes Jefferson to task (lightly) for this very thing. AND, recommends some readings that portend to do exactly what I expected this to do: distill the teachings of Jesus to their very essence and clearing out the "dung" from the "diamonds." Of particular interest are writings by Hermann Samuel Reimarus, Tatian's Diatessaron,Edward Gibbon, Hume, Goethe, and John Henry Newman. That said, I'm not sure that any of these accomplish the task...so we are left with Jefferson's Bible. And, for its Deist background, it's not a bad attempt.
toad_maiden's review against another edition
3.0
This is a peculiar little volume--Thomas Jefferson stripped the four Gospels of their "supernatural" material, and compiled only the biographical information and moral philosophy left into a neat little volume for reflection and guidance. Frankly, the Gospels sans miracles, etc., are rather boring, but this thorough compilation of the teachings of Jesus gives a good sense of his message. It is also refreshing to see the New Testament stripped of its prophetic baggage--Jefferson, unlike the Gospel writers, doesn't prioritize interpreting the Jewish scripture to prove Jesus' role as the Messiah. I also appreciated Jefferson's disregard for the writings of Paul. As a condensed, no-nonsense introduction to the story of Jesus, this is a golden text, but to more invested students of the Bible, this book is a mere novelty that lacks the richness and strangeness of the original Gospels.
mnicholson's review against another edition
4.0
I'm not sure if I can rate this book. It is very personal in nature and says a lot about Jefferson's beliefs. Atheists like to claim him, but that would be an oversimplification. Jefferson did not seem to believe that the Bible is infallible and the word of God - more inspired by God and containing valuable morals but riddled with human desires and imperfect reasoning.