Description: As the religious rhetoric of the culture wars escalates, New York Times bestselling author and eminent scholar Garry Wills explores the meaning of Jesus’s teachings
In what are billed as “culture wars,” people on the political right and the political left cite Jesus as endorsing their views. Garry Wills argues that Jesus subscribed to no political program. He was far more radical than that. In a fresh reading of the gospels, Wills explores the meaning of the “reign of heaven” Jesus not only promised for the future but brought with him into this life. It is only by dodges and evasions that people misrepresent what Jesus plainly had to say against power, the wealthy, and religion itself. Jesus came from the lower class, the working class, and he spoke to and for that class. This is a book that will challenge the assumptions of almost everyone who brings religion into politics—“Christian socialists” as well as biblical theocrats.
But Wills is just as critical of those who would make Jesus a mere ethical teacher, ignoring or playing down his divinity. Jesus without the Resurrection is simply not the Jesus of the gospels. Wills calls his book a profession of faith in the risen Lord, the Son of the Father, who leads us to the Father. He argues that this does not make people embrace an otherworldliness that ignores the poor or the problems of our time.
What Jesus Meant will no doubt spark debate about our understanding of Jesus and the Scriptures, especially as we head into midterm elections that will certainly prompt many heated discussions on the role of religion in our society.
Details: Garry Will has packed a lot of points to ponder in this slim volume. Great for someone who really likes to think about and act upon the Gospel message.
Review Summary: Different perspective
Date: 2009-01-05
Details: What Jesus Meant by Garry Wills bases the premise that Christianity today is nothing like the way Jesus would have wanted it. Wills believes that Jesus' messages have been misconstrued over time. Wills believes that Jesus was a radical of his time. The book tries to place Jesus in today's society hanging out with prostitutes, sinners and eating with the poor. I think people will learn something from this book.
There is a beautiful new book about Jesus, God , faith and what you will do after death entitled "The Enlightenment, What God Told Me After One Million Prayers: A Message for Everyone," by John H. Eagan. I just finished it. It's really great and deals with God, the creator, Jesus' teachings, and His Passion. It brought me to tears. I think the readers of Wills' book will really enjoy The Enlightenment.
Review Summary: A remarkable devotional by a remarkable scholar
Date: 2008-12-11
Details: I rank this among my favorite Christian writings. Insight into Jesus' ministry and the culture of his time. I have read and re-read and am left with a better understanding of the gospels.
Review Summary: Gary Wills is a heretic.
Date: 2008-09-19
Details: I'm quite disappointed that there are people in this world who can openly dissent from church teaching yet write and act as though the Church is the one dissenting. Wills thinks of himself as God by interpreting the bible to his own likings and to fit his own beliefs.
Review Summary: Thank God Gary Wills is here to set us right
Date: 2008-08-18
Details: As a 26 year old Catholic I love Reading this guys work. It is so comical. He is a poster boy of the old guard still trying to reinterpret Christianity to serve their tired old hippie agenda. Thank God young Catholics and most of all young Priests don't fall for this hogwash. Of all this clowns books this is the worst(well Papal Sin was pretty darn dumb). In it he actualy deigns to tell us what Jesus realy meant. Because you know, two thousand years of scholarship not to mention the gospels have been wrong. The ego mania on this man knows no end. Apparently he fancies himself a lone prophet telling us the truth. Go Gary!!
out of 72 Reviews
