Liberating the Gospels - by John Shelby Spong (Paperback)

About the Book

Bestselling author John Shelby Spong challenges traditional Christian understanding by examining the Gospel accounts of Jesus's life and teaching, especially the infancy and crucifixion stories, through a Jewish lens, offering a startling, richer understanding of Christian scripture.

Book Synopsis

In this boldest book since "Rescuing the Bible from Fundamentalism, " Bishop John Shelby Spong offers a compelling view of the Gospels as thoroughly Jewish tests. Spong powerfully argues that many of the key Gospel accounts of events in the life of Jesus -- from the stories of his birth to his physical resurrection -- are not literally true. He offers convincing evidence that the Gospels are a collection of Jewish midrashic stories written to convey the significance of Jesus. This remarkable discovery brings us closer to how Jesus was really understood in his day and should be in ours.

From the Back Cover

In this boldest book since Rescuing the Bible from Fundamentalism, Bishop John Shelby Spong offers a compelling view of the Gospels as thoroughly Jewish tests.Spong powerfully argues that many of the key Gospel accounts of events in the life of Jesus--from the stories of his birth to his physical resurrection--are not literally true. He offers convincing evidence that the Gospels are a collection of Jewish midrashic stories written to convey the significance of Jesus. This remarkable discovery brings us closer to how Jesus was really understood in his day and should be in ours.

Review Quotes

"Bishop Spong's work is a significant accomplishment." - Harvey Cox, Thomas Professor of Divinity, Harvard University
"Bishop Spong's work is a significant accomplishment." - Harvey Cox, Thomas Professor of Divinity, Harvard University
"Compelling, controversial, substantive, provocative, and original...remarkably convincing." - Rabbi Jack D. Spiro, director, Virginia Commonwealth University Center for Judaic Studies
"Compelling, controversial, substantive, provocative, and original...remarkably convincing." - Rabbi Jack D. Spiro, director, Virginia Commonwealth University Center for Judaic Studies