Three Gospels (Paperback)

by Reynolds Price (Author) "I AM HARDLY alone in the world in saying that the central narratives of the Old and New Testaments-especially the four life stories called Matthew,..." (more)
Key Phrases: coming reign, other gospels, foul spirit, Son of Man, High Priest, Simon Peter (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
His prodigious output in all literary genres has made Price one of the preeminent men of letters in America. He has, for more than 20 years, studied Koine (common-language) Greek and, while teaching at Duke University, led seminars on the Gospels of Mark and John. Both experiences inform this three-part collection of two "plain translations" of the New Testament texts and an original modern Gospel. In his version, Price uses Mark's chronology and metaphoric details to paint a picture of Jesus as the Son of God who is aware of His mission of blood redemption. The introductions to each section convey Price's enthusiasm for the life of Jesus, insights gleaned from his long study of the scriptures and some of the challenges he faced in bringing these ancient texts to life for contemporary readers. The author's unalloyed love of story and literary invention come across vividly in these crisp translations.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal
In A Palpable God (1978), novelist Price (The Promise of Rest, LJ 4/1/95) elegantly translated 30 Bible stories of the encounter between God and humankind. Now, Price has turned his poetic powers to the translation of the gospels of Mark and John and even writes his own gospel. While Price introduces his translation of the canonical gospels with a thorough exploration of the history of criticism of each, his translations are literal, though not wooden, renderings of the Greek manuscripts. For example, in Price's eloquent reading of John 3:16-"For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son so all who trusted in him might not be lost but have eternal life"-the verse loses much of the antagonism and exclusivism of traditional translations. These beautiful renderings of the biblical stories that have so influenced the pitch and cadence of his own writing are Price's gifts of gratitude. Highly recommended.
Henry Carrigan Jr., Westerville P.L., Ohio
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Scribner (May 14, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 068483281X
• ISBN-13: 978-0684832814
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #290,752 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fresh look at the life of Jesus and told by Mark and John, April 23, 1999

By A Customer

Having been away from the life of Jesus for almost 40 years, I found this book enthralling. It made me think about what Price calls "the Jesus sect" in a very different way. I recommend it to anyone who lost faith in a childhood Christianity but seeks something spiritual in their life.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mistake Again!, April 26, 2001

By	David Anandarajoo "Dr David Anandarajoo" (New Zealand) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Three Gospels (Hardcover)

Ahem.Mr Price is not the Editor. He's the author! (I wonder if any one reads these reviews and notes its contents). Its still a wonderful book, with a fresh new look at the Gospels of Mark and John. And frankly, after reading it, one gets a new perspective of the relationship between God and man. It certainly gave me a stronger foundation and background to the two gospels and an insight into Christ.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good translation, better commentary, March 30, 2001

By	Joe Kenney "buttergun" (Dallas, TX USA) - See all my reviews

Reynold Price's translations of Mark and John are good in that they try to transliterate the style and feel of their Greek originals, but truth be told they just don't read as well as the translations to be found in other Bible tranlsations. But Price's commentaries on these two Gospels are the main factor in this book. He utilizes something that's missing from the "detective kits" of most other Biblical scholars: common sense. I've read a great majority of the books on the "Historical Jesus," each of which - as the old saying goes - reveals more about the author than the subject. Instead of going off into groundless supposition, as most other Historical Jesus questors are known to do, Price gives us the evidence that we have and makes common sense conclusions on who wrote the Gospels: when, where, how, and why. He doesn't make any mention of the so-called "Secret" Gospel of Mark, true; but I think this is less Price being unaware of it and more of him just realizing it's a phony and unworthy of mention. Read Akenson's Saint Saul, which brutally brings this forgery to light. Price's extra Gospel, which he wrote himself, is interesting, but ultimately the selling point of this book are his commentaries to the two ancient Gospels themselves.