Rescuing Jesus from the Christians - Softcover

Sullivan, Clayton

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1563383802 ISBN 13: 9781563383809

Publisher: Trinity Press International, 2002

Synopsis

Makes the case that Jesus has been placed in a creedal prison byorthodox Christianity, and offers practical strategies for getting him out.

About this title

About the Author

Clayton L. Sullivan Emeritus Professor of Philosophy and Religion, University of Southern Mississippi and is the author of Rescuing Jesus from the Christians.

Review

" Although Sullivan's conclusions are debatable, the troubling questions he raises are worth investigating in order to examine and/or revise one's belief system and to help wounded churches and Christians. While he boldly claims the need for thinking Christians in the modern church, he also affirms the importance of personal faith in the midst of the uncertainties of Christianity. He calls for Christians who are bold enough in their faith to ask with Bonhoeffer: 'Who is Jesus Christ for us today?' "—Baptists Today, August 2002

"Highly readable, this book is designed to force Christian leaders into a new honesty and the Christian Church into a New Reformation. It challenges deeply the formulas of traditional orthodoxy, but does so by quoting from the very sources from which orthodoxy claims its authority. Sullivan's words should be heeded by all seekers of Truth!" —John Shelby Spong, author of A New Christianity for A New World (John Shelby Spong)

"engaging and convincingly written" —Library Journal, May 2002 (Library Journal)

Sullivan says he writes "for reflective laypersons who are not satisfied with the belief system they encounter in orthodox Christianity" rather than for academics or clergy. It appears, however, that he writes for laypersons who have just begun their reflection, with no knowledge of biblical scholarship and no more knowledge of theological tradition than might be derived by an uncritical ear from Sunday morning sermons in an evangelical congregation. Since Sullivan comes out of a Southern Baptist tradition and writes at least in part as a response to that denomination's fundamentalist turn, dissatisfied members of that tradition may be the audience he really has in mind. Readers will encounter here a rudimentary summary of historical Jesus research, an introduction to the longstanding distinction between the Jesus of history and the Christ of faith, and an invitation to participate in a Christianity measured more by its social engagement than by its theology or its attitude toward the Bible. Steven SchroederCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved (Steven Schroeder Booklist)

“When I read the title of this book, I instantly thought, ‘a book from a Fellow of the Jesus Seminar.’Imagine my amazement, when I received the book, to learn that Clayton Sullivan, is a Southern Baptist minister...It is obvious that this is a highly provocative book by a man with the courage of his convictions. Sullivan makes a strong case for the need to reconceptualize the Christian faith and his book is an important contribution to the task."—G. Richard Wheatcroft, June 2002 (G. Richard Wheatcroft Center For Progressive Christianity)

"Rescuing Jesus From the Christians by Clayton Sullivan (Professor of Philosophy and Religion, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg) is a solid, scholarly study that seeks to reconcile Jesus and His message with the latest archaeological and historical findings about Christ and the era he lived in. Four strategies for understanding Jesus are presented: distinguishing between pre- and post-resurrection Jesus, accepting that there is no obligation to embrace all beliefs held by the early church, guarding against the tendency to sentimentalize or aggrandize Jesus, and the importance of not simply tolerating, but rather rejoicing in religious pluralism. Rescuing Jesus From the Christians is a powerful presentation with a profound message for all readers and highly recommended, very welcome contribution to New Testament Studies supplemental reading lists and reference collections."—The Bookwatch, June 2002 (Bookwatch)

"Highly readable, this book is designed to force Christian leaders into
a new honesty and the Christian Church into a New Reformation. It
challenges deeply the formulas of traditional orthodoxy, but does so by
quoting from the very sources from which orthodoxy claims its authority.
Sullivan's words should be heeded by all seekers of Truth!" —John Shelby Spong, author of A New Christianity for A New World
"Highly readable, this book is designed to force Christian leaders into a new honesty and the Christian Church into a New Reformation. It challenges deeply the formulas of traditional orthodoxy, but does so by quoting from the very sources from which orthodoxy claims its authority. Sullivan's words should be heeded by all seekers of Truth!" —John Shelby Spong, author of A New Christianity for A New World (Sanford Lakoff)

Sullivan says he writes "for reflective laypersons who are not satisfied with the belief system they encounter in orthodox Christianity" rather than for academics or clergy. It appears, however, that he writes for laypersons who have just begun their reflection, with no knowledge of biblical scholarship and no more knowledge of theological tradition than might be derived by an uncritical ear from Sunday morning sermons in an evangelical congregation. Since Sullivan comes out of a Southern Baptist tradition and writes at least in part as a response to that denomination's fundamentalist turn, dissatisfied members of that tradition may be the audience he really has in mind. Readers will encounter here a rudimentary summary of historical Jesus research, an introduction to the longstanding distinction between the Jesus of history and the Christ of faith, and an invitation to participate in a Christianity measured more by its social engagement than by its theology or its attitude toward the Bible. Steven SchroederCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved (Sanford Lakoff Booklist)

“When I read the title of this book, I instantly thought, ‘a book from a Fellow of the Jesus Seminar.’Imagine my amazement, when I received the book, to learn that Clayton Sullivan, is a Southern Baptist minister...It is obvious that this is a highly provocative book by a man with the courage of his convictions. Sullivan makes a strong case for the need to reconceptualize the Christian faith and his book is an important contribution to the task."—G. Richard Wheatcroft, June 2002 (Sanford Lakoff Center For Progressive Christianity)

About this edition

• Publisher: Trinity Press International
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 1563383802
• ISBN 13: 9781563383809
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 192