Rescuing Jesus from the Christians

by Clayton Sullivan

Book Overview

A serious attempt to free Jesus from the confining garments of both New Testament studies and orthodox Christianity, to discover a better understanding of Jesus.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1563383802
• ISBN13: 9781563383809
• Release Date: March 2002
• Publisher: Trinity Press International
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.1" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Very informative and eligthening

Clayton Sullivan's easily accessible work is aimed at people who are interested in Christianity but not in intellectual suicide. Therefore he rightfully questions a lot of dogmas, moral instructions and pious beliefs (not only about Jesus) the church has piled upon through the centuries and helps the reader to get a clear picture of what the historical pre-ressurection Jesus was like and what he was *not* like, what tendencies inside the church force people to silence their intelligence and how one can combat those tendencies. Sullivan doesn't write for academics or priests, his work is aimed at a ordinary persons interested in intelligent Christianity that sets one free instead of trapping one in a complex yet ridiculous set of instructions, laws and, above all, fear and intolerance. An excellent companion to Bruce Bawer's "Stealing Jesus"!

Spot on in his critique of standard orthodoxy

Personally, I would have preferred that Dr. Sullivan had written a longer book with many more scholarly details and explanations. What he has written suggests he shares here only a fraction of his deeper knowledge, understanding, reading and reflections here. But in this he is true to his stated, larger intended audience of "inquisitive Christians."This is a book for those who want examine some of their beliefs or the dogma of their church, especially those with a Fundamentalist and particularly Southern Baptist bent. Pastor Sullivan successfully argues that many of our beliefs about Jesus are in error, are ahistorical, and were foisted upon us at a later date with precious little biblical basis; indeed, he admits any real examination of Jesus' life and any attempt to make an historical reconstruction of it, will probably only bewilder us and perhaps even repel us. Gentiles are dogs? In some respects, Jesus is not easily understood or even perhaps understandable - a hard truth - but what is wrong with the truth in place of a comfortable set of fictions? Jesus seems to have been clearly wrong on some things, such as the timetable of events. But what he was right about was a revolutionary underlying moral and religious message. Much orthodox belief, only weakly based on the bible, obscures the most important things Jesus did say - it is obscuring to focus on the disputed and disputable issues, such as the virgin birth, the nearly polytheistic idea of the Trinity, and the crucifixition, that horrific human sacrifice to atone to God for the sins of others (many even hold one simply cannot be a Christian if you do not adhere to ALL these tenets - it is NOT allowed for one to beleive in the resurrection and in miracles but doubt the purpose being a bloodbath atonement for human sin; I doubt if Jesus would admit such objections as precluding anyone becoming a follower of his). Sullivan usefully offers four strategies out of these dead-ends and conundrums, not the least of which is to clear disguish between the pre- and post-resurrection Christ. Sullivan clearly understands and knows more than he reveals here, a disappointment to those of us who are theologically-minded, but like a good pastor, he knows and writes to his congregation. I think this is very, very Christian. The many critics of his book, almost to a one, say more about their minds already being made up, than say anything insightful about Rescuing Jesus From the Christians. Their criticisms are all too pat and completely predictable. Ho-hum. So don't read this book if, like such critics, your mind is made up. Why bother? BTW, the 4 stars merely reflects my wish for more details. Otherwise, highly recommended, readable, quickly-read survey of useful questions and possible answers.

Jaundiced view of the Baptist church

As a rule any Baptist church numbers right up there with other erroneous versions of the Christian religion as far as I am concerned. And I am not suggesting that my own views concerning the same Christian religion are free of error. However, some reviwers are giving Sullivan a bad rap because he is a Southern Baptist. I, too, cross to the other side of the street whenever I have to pass by one of these places but in this case, Clayton Sullivan might get a wave from me as I pass by.It is a rudimentary treatment of some aspects of the Christian religion. In Part One Sullivan presents his views concerning certain questions about Jesus that many uninformed persons want answers to. They may be what he calls "inquisitive Christians."And then he deals with several suggested strategies for rescuing Jesus from some antiquated notions and out-of-date thinking respecting Jesus.This is truly a good book for the "inquisitive Christian" who has for years thought that some notions about the church and Jesus are downright weird, stupid, or at least confusing. It is not a major intellectual, theological piece but rather a slim paperbound volume of 182 pages including an index and a glossary and the price is right. A church book study club may find this a good volume to read and study. I liked it and plan on recommending it to my Lutheran (ELCA) book study group. It could help a person move forward into a more advanced study of these and other questions concerning the Christian religion.

A profound message for all readers

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 New Testament Studies supplemental reading lists and reference collections.

Amazing point of view from a Southern Baptist

I think Clayton Sullivan's book drives home many points that all Christians take to heart. The book is aimed at thinking Christians or reflective Christians according to Professor Sullivan. I think he hits that right on the mark. Even though the book is easy to read and understand, I think the book would be better read by someone familiar with current New Testament scholarship. After reviewing many of the questions posed by New Testament and Historical Jesus scholarship, like:- What Was Jesus' Main Message?- What Was Jesus' Attitude toward Non-Jews?- What Did Jesus Think about God?- Why Did the Romans Crucify Jesus?Professor Sullivan gives what he calls strategies for the reflective Christians. In these strategies, he talks about the difference between the pre- and post-resurrection Jesus and how to reconcile these views to your Christian faith. He also discusses how a refective Christian does not have to follow all of the beliefs of the Church. He also discusses how many branches of Christianity over sentimentalize Jesus (especially in song) and how history has exaggerated Jesus away from his true humanity. Lastly, he discusses how we should all acknowledge and participate in discussions with all the major Faiths of the world.Things that I would have like to have seen discussed in more detail (especially for people just starting to reflect on Christianity) is the struggle in beliefs held by James, Peter, and the other members of the early Jerusalem Church versus the views taught by Paul which were later adopted into Orthodox Christianity. I would also have like to have seen less of an apologetic view of the resurrection and possibly a discussion on the probable causes of the beliefs in the resurrection. Last, I would like to have heard Professor Sullivan handle how many Christians (like myself) should deal with the feelings of hypocrisy when not believing in beliefs of Christianity held in esteem by the Church. For instance, Professor Sullivan says that one does not have to believe in the Trinity because it was more or less created by the early Church, even though the Trinity is a major tenet of the Catholic and Protestant churches.Overall, I applaud Professor Sullivan's work! I wish it was read by all Christians, especially those of the more fundamentalist persuasions.