I was genuinely surprised by how much I enjoyed this book, despite disagreeing with it theologically and being startled by the first few paragraphs.
The writer depicted Jesus much the way that I imagine Jesus to be. Jesus said a lot of things that offended a lot of people. He stood against their religiosity, broke their Sabbath laws, talked to forbidden people such as prostitutes. He shocked people with his words at every turn. Some people really hated him because he was so different from them. Other people loved him because he was so uniquely mysterious and kind-hearted. Virtually no one understood the things he said until after he died.
I cracked up laughing every time the writer had Jesus swearing and giving the finger. I don’t know that he wouldn’t have done the equivalent of saying forbidden/taboo words and using symbols that people find offensive for no logical reason! I don’t have a problem with the idea that Jesus pointed to things considered “unholy” and called them “holy”. He was constantly criticizing the ridiculous religious standards of the day. Perhaps Jesus was offensive and that’s exactly why the Pharisees killed him! How do we know that the expression “Brood of vipers” wasn’t the equivalent of cussing?
I do however completely disagree with the theology (or re-write thereof) used in this book. I believe Jesus knew he was God and claimed to be God. I don’t believe he pointed to common sense, evolution and science as humanities common “cause” in an attempt to bring down religion. However, I’m glad (the writer) wrote the book. It is thought provoking and very funny. I laughed throughout the vast majority of the book!
The writer depicted Jesus much the way that I imagine Jesus to be. Jesus said a lot of things that offended a lot of people. He stood against their religiosity, broke their Sabbath laws, talked to forbidden people such as prostitutes. He shocked people with his words at every turn. Some people really hated him because he was so different from them. Other people loved him because he was so uniquely mysterious and kind-hearted. Virtually no one understood the things he said until after he died.
I cracked up laughing every time the writer had Jesus swearing and giving the finger. I don’t know that he wouldn’t have done the equivalent of saying forbidden/taboo words and using symbols that people find offensive for no logical reason! I don’t have a problem with the idea that Jesus pointed to things considered “unholy” and called them “holy”. He was constantly criticizing the ridiculous religious standards of the day. Perhaps Jesus was offensive and that’s exactly why the Pharisees killed him! How do we know that the expression “Brood of vipers” wasn’t the equivalent of cussing?
I do however completely disagree with the theology (or re-write thereof) used in this book. I believe Jesus knew he was God and claimed to be God. I don’t believe he pointed to common sense, evolution and science as humanities common “cause” in an attempt to bring down religion. However, I’m glad (the writer) wrote the book. It is thought provoking and very funny. I laughed throughout the vast majority of the book!
I think it would do a lot of uptight-religious people good to read this book. I also think that Atheists would probably love it. Being a Restorative-Universalist-Christian myself, I too want to tear down detrimental religious beliefs (especially the doctrine of hell) and I admire any person who challenges the status quo.
- Allisa Anne Dempsey. Sydney, Australia
- Allisa Anne Dempsey. Sydney, Australia