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. |
From inside the book
Results 1-5 of 12
Page 10
... delivered were defective, as a whole, and fragments only of what he did deliver have come to us mutilated, misstated, and often unintelligible. 5. They have been still more disfigured by the corruptions of schismatizing followers, who ...
... delivered were defective, as a whole, and fragments only of what he did deliver have come to us mutilated, misstated, and often unintelligible. 5. They have been still more disfigured by the corruptions of schismatizing followers, who ...
Page 13
... delivered. 7. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. II . He is Circumcised and Named and they Return 13.
... delivered. 7. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. II . He is Circumcised and Named and they Return 13.
Page 20
... , and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. 28. Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver 20 THOMAS JEFFERSON.
... , and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. 28. Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver 20 THOMAS JEFFERSON.
Page 21
... deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. 29. Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing. 30. ¶ Ye have heard that ...
... deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. 29. Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing. 30. ¶ Ye have heard that ...
Page 23
... deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. 67. For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 68. But if ye forgive not men their trespasses ...
... deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. 67. For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 68. But if ye forgive not men their trespasses ...
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
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