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 14
... Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. 9. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these 14 THOMAS JEFFERSON.
... Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. 9. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these 14 THOMAS JEFFERSON.
Page 17
... to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat. 2. But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day. 3. But he said unto them, Have ye not read 17 THE JEFFERSON BIBLE.
... to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat. 2. But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day. 3. But he said unto them, Have ye not read 17 THE JEFFERSON BIBLE.
Page 18
... behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him. 8. And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one ...
... behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him. 8. And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one ...
Page 24
... Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? 80. Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature ...
... Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? 80. Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature ...
Page 25
... behold, a beam is in thine own eye? 93. Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye. 94. ¶ Give not that which is holy unto the dogs ...
... behold, a beam is in thine own eye? 93. Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye. 94. ¶ Give not that which is holy unto the dogs ...
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began behold Blessed body brethren brother brought called cast chief priests clothed cometh commanded delivered departed disciples doctrines earth enter evil faithful Father fear feast feet fell field five followed friends fruit Galilee gave give hand hath head hear heard heart hour hypocrites Jerusalem Jesus answered Jews John judge kill king kingdom of heaven laid lest light likewise Lord Master meat mother multitude named Parable pass Peter Pharisees Pilate pray Precepts prophets received rich saith unto say unto scribes seed seek sent servant sheep Simon sinners spake stood taken talents taught tell temple thee thine things thou hast thou shalt thought took Verily I say vineyard wash whatsoever whosoever wife witness Woe unto woman yourselves