Originally posted 2/9/20
I've had this volume on my wish list for a couple of years. I ordered it with a gift card from last Christmas. The title at the top of the front cover is both descriptive and misleading, though. This book, constructed by President Thomas Jefferson - self-proclaimed author of America's religious freedom - is a painstaking endeavor to fulfill a promise to an old friend. It was one man's effort to understand the Bible more clearly. In doing so, Jefferson left a document that tells us more about his thoughts and opinions of the Christian religion. It is not a Bible and he he did not title it as such, but is does include the four Gospels, arranged chronologically.
Dr. Benjamin Rush, signer of the Declaration of Independence, encouraged his friend Thomas Jefferson to formulate his beliefs in writing. Jefferson promised to do so. With knife in hand, Mr. Jefferson set out to construct a document that he respected and understood to be true. He put together a book of interlinear columns representing four of the seven languages Jefferson could read, those languages becoming a part of the real title as he assigned it: The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth Extracted Textually from the Gospels in Greek, Latin, French, and English. Mr. Lincoln constructed a chronological account of the four accounts of the Gospel from the New Testament of the Bible - but he purposefully omitted sections he did not believe were true.
That is to say, President Jefferson cut out any reference to miracles. He cut out most references to angels. You won't find water turning to wine, blind and lame people being healed, or any reference to a resurrection as reality. In the light of this, (or at least the one column that I can read), I am somewhat amazed that he left references to a God who resides in a Heaven
Dr. Benjamin Rush, signer of the Declaration of Independence, encouraged his friend Thomas Jefferson to formulate his beliefs in writing. Jefferson promised to do so. With knife in hand, Mr. Jefferson set out to construct a document that he respected and understood to be true. He put together a book of interlinear columns representing four of the seven languages Jefferson could read, those languages becoming a part of the real title as he assigned it: The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth Extracted Textually from the Gospels in Greek, Latin, French, and English. Mr. Lincoln constructed a chronological account of the four accounts of the Gospel from the New Testament of the Bible - but he purposefully omitted sections he did not believe were true.
That is to say, President Jefferson cut out any reference to miracles. He cut out most references to angels. You won't find water turning to wine, blind and lame people being healed, or any reference to a resurrection as reality. In the light of this, (or at least the one column that I can read), I am somewhat amazed that he left references to a God who resides in a Heaven
There are several versions of this book with a variety of covers and bindings. I chose this one because it contains a photographic copy or the original text, complete with Jefferson's handwritten labels. I can turn to any page and find his knife cuts. I became interested in this volume when I discovered the National Museum of American History link to the story of the "Jefferson Bible". The site contains information about the meticulous restoration of the book, complete with ink-study, binding, and more. As a part-time preacher, history buff, and teacher of American history, the book interests me in all three. It is a beautiful and compelling peek into the mind of a national genius.
I may not share Jefferson's opinion of miracles, angels, and resurrection, but I must appreciate the lengths to which this man went to study the words. Few people I know have spent the hours Jefferson did in discerning the Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth...
Now, I am left to wonder at his opinions of the rest of the New Testament (and the Old Testament for that matter).
I may not share Jefferson's opinion of miracles, angels, and resurrection, but I must appreciate the lengths to which this man went to study the words. Few people I know have spent the hours Jefferson did in discerning the Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth...
Now, I am left to wonder at his opinions of the rest of the New Testament (and the Old Testament for that matter).
