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The Scandalous Gospel of Jesus: What's So Good About the Good News?
 
 
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The Scandalous Gospel of Jesus: What's So Good About the Good News? (Hardcover)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: offending gospel, inclusive gospel, old social gospel, Roman Catholic, New Testament, Saint Paul (more...)
4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)

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The Scandalous Gospel of Jesus: What's So Good About the Good News? + The Good Book: Reading the Bible with Mind and Heart + Strength for the Journey: Biblical Wisdom for Daily Living
Price For All Three: $44.17

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  • This item: The Scandalous Gospel of Jesus: What's So Good About the Good News? by Peter J. Gomes

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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. As minister of Harvard University's Memorial Church, Gomes was a popular preacher well before The Good Book became a bestseller in 1996. Several subsequent books were, or read like, first-rate sermon collections, but this is an incisive original aimed at cautious defenders of conventional wisdom. Asserting that we are meant to go beyond the Bible in order to discover the gospel, Gomes points away from the past toward a future in which promise and fulfillment meet. Meanwhile, we must manage to live in the world as it is—a world steeped in hostility, suffering and injustice. If we take the gospel seriously, then like Jesus we will risk all, and might even lose all. Still, we hang on to a muscular hope that is not mere nostalgia for what never was, but an earnest expectation of what is to be. A born storyteller, Gomes knows how to spin an aphorism: The opposite of fear is not courage but compassion. And indeed his tone is compassionate even when he chides those who fear conflict and change, but especially when he extols God's provision for the healing and care of all his creation, and not simply our little part of it. (Nov.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.


Review

"An incisive original... [Gomes is] a born storyteller." -- Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Product Details

  • Hardcover: 272 pages
  • Publisher: HarperOne; First Edition edition (November 6, 2007)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0060000732
  • ISBN-13: 978-0060000738
  • Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.9 x 1.1 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #395,080 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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23 Reviews
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Average Customer Review
4.3 out of 5 stars (23 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
42 of 43 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Jesus as the ultimate "change agent" ... , January 12, 2008
"Change agent" is a phrase that we hear a lot in business. On the 2008 Presidential campaign trail, all candidates proclaim their fealty to change. Harvard's Peter Gomes argues persuasively that Jesus was an ardent change agent who rarely - if ever - supported the status quo.

It has been said that the mission of the Christian church and faith is to "Comfort the afflicted and to afflict the comfortable." Gomes makes a compelling case that Jesus was the ultimate subversive - in a good sense - but that his aim was to change, force new ways of thinking, include the marginalized and to break some crockery. I would summarize the book's thesis with one quote (p. 240), "When Jesus came preaching, it was to disturb the status quo."

Instead of asking ourselves, "What would Jesus do?" Gomes argues we should reframe the question, asking the tougher query -- "What would Jesus have US do?" The answer is perhaps never going to comfort us but, instead, invariably push us out of our comfort zones.

Among the interesting sideline arguments, Gomes tackles the problems that the modern church has with homosexuality, suggesting that Jesus would have embraced this group and that the church's obsession on the issue is a waste of time, especially when, say, divorce is a bigger problem and threat to family life.

Gomes' thoughtful book is a radical wake-up call for the ministry of church, all churches and individuals who see themselves as followers of Christ. The arguments are clear, articulate, never patronizing. He sprinkles his discussion with real-life examples. The guy can flat-out write and his skill and passion in this book have prompted me to go back and locate his prior writings.

This is a book that will likely "afflict the comfortable"!
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15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars the scandalous gospel of jesus, January 3, 2008
I made a Christmas gift to myself of Dr. Gomes' trilogy: The Good Book: Reading the Bible with Mind and Heart; The Good Life: Truths That Lasts in Troubled Times (?); and The Scandalous Gospel of Jesus: What's So Good About The Good News? In addition I own Sermons and Strength for the Journey. For ANY Christian who is serious about his/her walk, these are the books to read, study and DIGEST. At 72, having been born into the AME faith,converted to Baptist as an adult, and a PK, I have never in all my years known TRUTH as Dr. Gomes speaks it. These readings are to the point, candid, inspiring and NOT for the faint-of-heart!!!
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34 of 40 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars The real good news!, December 6, 2007
By Karalyn Yegge "bookaddict" (Northern California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This book is fantastically written, intelligently thought-out, and presented with grace. Gomes truly does have a bead on what Jesus was trying to convey, the truth about loving our neighbors, the truth about dogma and religious doctrine, and the truth about what it means to actually ask, "what would Jesus do?" I have longed for a book that would discuss the teachings of JESUS, and this book is my answer. Thank you, Mr. Gomes, for bringing a light to my part of the world.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars The Scandalous gospel of Jesus
The Scandalous Gospel of Jesus: What's So Good About the Good News? There is a high degree of thoughtful theology in Mr. Read more
Published 4 months ago by M. Fencl

1.0 out of 5 stars Very Decpetive Title
I am not a person who normally takes the time to review a book, but there were so many things that disturbed me about this book that I felt compelled to post a review... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Kim

3.0 out of 5 stars Way to Go Gomes
This is the second book I have read by Rev. Gomes. I find his work to be refreshing, challenging and soul stirring. Read more
Published 6 months ago

5.0 out of 5 stars A Thought Provoking Read
This was a very interesting book, and really made me take a long look at why I believe what I do. I recommend it for those who can remember to keep an open mind.
Published 7 months ago by Amanda Tryon

2.0 out of 5 stars What?
The front flap of this book suggests that the Church insists upon making Jesus the object of its attention rather than heeding His message. Read more
Published 10 months ago by B. Foutz

5.0 out of 5 stars Worthy to be read to complement understanding of the Bible...awesome richness in Spirit!
I have gleaned deeper comprehension of Bible themes and concepts by this book. I would say, "Buy this book!" to anyone looking for a guide to deeper comprehension of the Word.
Published 14 months ago by Lisa B. Holmes

5.0 out of 5 stars Not For the Fainthearted Christian...What's More Important? "Worshiping" Jesus or Living the Life Jesus Said to Live?
Orthodox believers, the strictly Orthodox, don't need to go here. Or maybe you should--if you are willing to think--to do what the Bible said do, "Worship the Lord Thy God with... Read more
Published 16 months ago by Big D

5.0 out of 5 stars Quality Service
My book came promptly and in good condition, as promised. Impressive service. The book is typically fine Gomes fare.
Published 16 months ago by Bruce W. Morgan

4.0 out of 5 stars Preaching Jesus
One of the great ironies of the past 2000 years is that the message(s) of Jesus have been lost and billions of people preach Jesus while ignoring his message. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Dr. James Gardner

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Resource
Once again Peter Gomes has provided a combination of sound information, humor and relevance to enhance Biblical understanding for lay readers and clergy alike.
Published 18 months ago by Evensongs

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