Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1212542 in Books
• Published on: 1996-11-14
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 400 pages

Review

"Easily the best contemporary book on the Bible for thoughtful people."

The Right Reverend Lord Runcie, 102nd Archbishop of Canterbury

Synopsis
Examines how the Bible has been interpreted, how passages have been improperly used to justify persecution, and how it can be read to provide comfort and joy.

Customer Reviews

An encouraging voice in a discouraging religious climate!
As a former pastor and now professor of religion in the Bible-belt, I found Gomes' reflections to be heart-warming and encouraging. In a culture where the Bible is often used to support exclusion and condemnation, Gomes presents the biblical message of inclusion. In a religious climate where the Bible is frequently literalized and idolized, Gomes presents the Bible as a "living text," the spirit of which transcends human attempts to place truth in a box. I found his writing at once stimulating and familiar. It was familiar in at least two ways: 1) his message is consistent with the spirit of the Bible and 2) I repeatedly found myself thinking, "I wish I had said that!" Gomes' content and writing style are readily accessible to the general reader. This volume is a "must read" for anyone interested in interpreting the Bible in the contemporary context.

This book has helped restore the joy in my faith
I was once very involved in born-again Christian activities, but never felt fully comfortable there. With due respect, I always felt the 'born-again' interpretation of Christianity mimicked the Pharisees more than it did Jesus' disciples.

After distancing myself from this path, though, I missed feeling active in my faith. This book helped me to be excited again about being a Christian. It has helped restore the joy in my faith, in a way that seems more Christian to me than the born-again path (which I unfortunately thought and unfortunately still think is exclusive and arrogant). Thank you, Thank you, Peter Gomes!

It's how you read it.
After reading the reviews of this book I was grateful to see few negative ones. However, one review angered me and causes me to enter my own opinion. states, "To interpret and renegotiate truths so as to make life comfortable to man now is a slap in the face of God." Perhaps this critic isn't aware of the many interpretations and justifications the bible is already being used for (homophobia, subservient women, etc.). It's almost the 21st century, are we going to stay the same degrading, racist, sexist, prejudiced world we've been because some people can justify that these beliefs are fine by quoting one verse (out of context) to their parish? I feel that Gomes was showing through his writing how we can make the bible fit our lifestyles, no matter what it may be.