City Libraries, City of Gold Coast

Jesus for the non-religious, recovering the divine at the heart of the human, John Shelby Spong

eng

Includes bibliographical references (p. [301]-308) and index

contains biographical information

index present

non fiction

Jesus for the non-religious

bibliography

832994466

John Shelby Spong

recovering the divine at the heart of the human

Challenging much of the traditional understanding that has for so long surrounded the Jesus of history, this book provides a new and different portrait of Jesus of Nazereth - a Jesus for the non-religious

Prologue: The lament of a believer in exile -- PART 1. SEPARATING THE HUMAN JESUS FROM THE MYTH. Introduction: Opening the door on a new quest -- There was no star over Bethlehem -- The parents of Jesus: fictionalized composites -- The historicity of the twelve disciples -- Miracle stories in the Gospels: are they necessary? -- Nature miracles: interpretive signs, not historical events -- Healing miracles: a vision of the Kingdom of God -- Did Jesus literally raise the dead? -- The Crucifixion narrative: liturgy masquerading as history -- The cross: told "in accordance with the scriptures" -- The eternal truth inside the myths of resurrection and ascension -- PART 2. THE ORIGINAL IMAGES OF JESUS. Introduction: Exploring the original images of Jesus -- The oral tradition: where was Jesus remembered? -- Jesus understood as the New Passover -- Jesus understood under the symbols of Yom Kippur -- Jesus as the Son of Man -- Minority images: the Servant, the Shepherd -- Jesus: a man for all Jewish seasons -- PART 3. JESUS FOR THE NON-RELIGIOUS. Introduction: Jesus really lived -- Who is the God met in Jesus? -- Recognizing the sources of religious anger -- Jesus: the breaker of tribal boundaries -- Jesus: the breaker of prejudices and stereotypes -- Jesus: the breaker of religious boundaries -- The Cross: a human portrait of the love of God -- Epilogue: Christpower

adult