The Jefferson Bible: The Life and Morals of Jesus of NazarethCourier Corporation, 2012 M03 2 - 96 pages "Question with boldness even the existence of a god," Thomas Jefferson asserted, "because if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason than that of blindfolded fear." America's third president regarded Jesus as a moral guide rather than a divinity, and in The Jefferson Bible, he highlights Christ's ethical teachings from the Gospels. Discarding the scriptures' supernatural elements and dogma, this volume reflects the deist view of religion, focusing on Jesus' message of absolute love and service. Jefferson undertook his self-appointed task in 1794, consulting not only the King James Bible but also Greek, French, and Latin versions. He selected verses from the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, and arranged them in chronological order to form a single narrative. Although Jefferson shared his interpretation with friends and family, he declined to publish it, in keeping with his conviction that religion is a private matter—and also to avoid providing his political enemies with ammunition. Not until the turn of the twentieth century did the book appear in print, when it became a tradition to present it to new members of Congress. Unique and influential, this volume reflects not only the thinking of one of the nation's most brilliant statesmen, but also the ideology of the Enlightenment era. |
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Page 8
... Jews, and of Jesus, no notice should be taken of the corruptions of reason among the ancients, to wit, the idolatry and superstition of the vulgar, nor of the corruptions of Christianity by the learned among its professors. Let a just ...
... Jews, and of Jesus, no notice should be taken of the corruptions of reason among the ancients, to wit, the idolatry and superstition of the vulgar, nor of the corruptions of Christianity by the learned among its professors. Let a just ...
Page 9
... JEWS 1. Their system was Deism, that is, the belief in one only God; but their ideas of him and of his attributes were degrading and injurious. 2. Their ethics were not only imperfect, but often irreconcilable with the sound dictates of ...
... JEWS 1. Their system was Deism, that is, the belief in one only God; but their ideas of him and of his attributes were degrading and injurious. 2. Their ethics were not only imperfect, but often irreconcilable with the sound dictates of ...
Page 10
... others, is foreign to the present view, which is merely an estimate of the intrinsic merits of his doctrines. 1. He corrected the Deism of the Jews, confirming them in their belief of only one god, and giving them juster 10 THOMAS ...
... others, is foreign to the present view, which is merely an estimate of the intrinsic merits of his doctrines. 1. He corrected the Deism of the Jews, confirming them in their belief of only one god, and giving them juster 10 THOMAS ...
Page 11
... Jews; and they went far beyond both in inculcating universal philanthropy, not only to kindred and friends, to neighbors and countrymen, but to all mankind, gathering all into one family, under the bonds of love, charity, peace, common ...
... Jews; and they went far beyond both in inculcating universal philanthropy, not only to kindred and friends, to neighbors and countrymen, but to all mankind, gathering all into one family, under the bonds of love, charity, peace, common ...
Page 12
... man, of which the greater reformer of the vicious ethics and deism of the Jews, were he to return on earth, would not recognize one feature. —Jefferson to Mr. Charles Thompson. 12 THE LIFE AND MORALS OF JESUS OF NAZARETH I. Joseph.
... man, of which the greater reformer of the vicious ethics and deism of the Jews, were he to return on earth, would not recognize one feature. —Jefferson to Mr. Charles Thompson. 12 THE LIFE AND MORALS OF JESUS OF NAZARETH I. Joseph.
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adultery baptized Barabbas behold bidden Blessed brethren bringeth Caiaphas called cast chief priests cometh crucified Deism delivered doctrines doth earth evil faithful feast feet five talents forgive friends fruit Galilee give hand hath hear heart Herod high priest hypocrites Jefferson Jefferson Bible Jerusalem Jesus answered Jesus of Nazareth Jesus said unto Jews Judaea Judas Judas Iscariot judge kill king kingdom of God kingdom of heaven laid lest likewise Lord Master Moses mother multitude parable unto pass passover Peter Pilate pray Precepts prophets publicans received repent sabbath day saith unto say unto scribes and Pharisees sent servant sheep Simon Simon Peter sinners spake stood straightway synagogues tares temple thine things thou art thou hast thou shalt thy brother thy Father took unto thee Verily I say vineyard wash whatsoever Wherefore whosoever wife Woe unto woman yourselves Zacchaeus