The Jefferson Bible: The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth"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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... rich man. 22-48, 54–59; L. xiii. 1–5: Precepts. L. xiii. 6–9: Parable of the fig tree. L. xi. 37–46, 52, 53, 54: Precepts. Mt. xiii. 1–9; Mk. iv. 10; Mt. xiii. 18–23: Parable of the sower. Mk. iv. 21, 22, 23: Precepts. Mt. xiii. 24–30, 36– ...
... rich man. 22-48, 54–59; L. xiii. 1–5: Precepts. L. xiii. 6–9: Parable of the fig tree. L. xi. 37–46, 52, 53, 54: Precepts. Mt. xiii. 1–9; Mk. iv. 10; Mt. xiii. 18–23: Parable of the sower. Mk. iv. 21, 22, 23: Precepts. Mt. xiii. 24–30, 36– ...
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... rich fragments he left us, would be the most perfect and sublime that has ever been taught by man. The question of his being a member of the Godhead, or in direct communication with it, claimed for him by some of his followers, and ...
... rich fragments he left us, would be the most perfect and sublime that has ever been taught by man. The question of his being a member of the Godhead, or in direct communication with it, claimed for him by some of his followers, and ...
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... rich! for ye have received your consolation. 14. Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep. 15. Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well 19 THE JEFFERSON BIBLE.
... rich! for ye have received your consolation. 14. Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep. 15. Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well 19 THE JEFFERSON BIBLE.
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