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Brian Griffith
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Correcting Jesus: 2000 Years of Changing the Story Paperback – November 1, 2009

by Brian Griffith (Author)
3.8 3.8 out of 5 stars 22 ratings
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“[Griffith] is a thorough independent scholar, and his concise writing makes historical facts engaging and relevant. His most important take-home message: it is not verboten for people of faith to ask why beliefs and practices developed in a specific way. In fact, it could even be considered an obligation for healthy, committed believers to do so.” —Publishers Weekly

“I love Brian Griffith for having the heart to try to scrape away the barnacles of ideology and prejudice that keep attaching themselves to those four, frail little gospel boats. Part of this book will break your heart as he describes how little compromises and strategic emphases grow into huge errors and disasters.” —FRANK COTTRELL BOYCE, author of Millions, a Carnegie Medal award-winning book adapted into a feature film directed by Danny Boyle

In Correcting Jesus, Brian Griffith patiently and clearly untangles the many strands of the story of Christianity, and the many changes made over the centuries to the original story of Jesus and his message. If you’ve ever wondered, “Where did that rule come from?” and “Was it always this way?” this book will provide enlightenment.

Brian Griffith grew up in Texas, studied history at the University of Alberta, and now lives just outside of Toronto, Ontario. He is an independent historian who examines how cultural history influences our lives, and how collective experience offers insights for our future.

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  1. Print length
    336 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Exterminating Angel Press
  4. Publication date
    November 1, 2009
  5. Dimensions
    5.5 x 0.9 x 7.5 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1935259024
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1935259022
  8. Lexile measure
    1220L
  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

How is it possible that Jesus' words have been utilized to justify both pacifist and prowar agendas? Historian Griffith (The Gardens of Their Dreams) is not an iconoclast, but he is not afraid to examine the various ways that Christianity has interpreted Jesus for two millennia. The author wastes no time grappling with some of the most contentious religious issues, such as the role of women in the Church, nonviolence, the celibacy requirement for some clergy and differing notions of what freedom means. Griffith calls it as he sees it throughout history: individuals and groups have twisted Jesus' message to suit their own points of view. The author is a thorough independent scholar, and his concise writing makes historical facts engaging and relevant. His most important take-home message: it is not verboten for people of faith to ask why beliefs and practices developed in a specific way. In fact, it could even be considered an obligation for healthy, committed believers to do so. --Publishers Weekly, Sept. 22, 2009

"The Christ of today is not the Jesus of history. The man - along with his message - became radically altered along the way. In this readable and insightful book that spans the centuries, Brian Griffith carefully documents how Jesus' teachings became changed to suit the predilections and fads of later audiences. This book is an excellent read for anyone concerned with moving beyond popular preaching to what the Jesus of Nazareth really taught." --Barrie Wilson, Professor, Religious Studies, York University, Toronto, Author, How Jesus Became Christian.

About the Author

Brian Griffith grew up in Texas, studied history at the University of Alberta, and now lives just outside of Toronto, Ontario. He is an independent historian who examines how cultural history influences our lives, and how collective experience offers insights for our future. He is the author of The Gardens of Their Dreams: Desertification and Culture in World History, Different Visions of Love: Partnership and Dominator Values in Christian History, Correcting Jesus: 2000 Years of Changing the Story, and A Galaxy of Immortal Women: The Yin Side of Chinese Civilization.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Exterminating Angel Press (November 1, 2009)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 336 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1935259024
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1935259022
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 1220L
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 13 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.9 x 7.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.8 3.8 out of 5 stars 22 ratings

About the author

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Brian Griffith

Brian Griffith

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Brian Griffith is an independent historian who's interested in culture wars and cultural creativity. So far he's written five books. "The Gardens of Their Dreams: Desertification and Culture in World History" examines how environmental degradation has affected society across the Old World from ancient times forward. "Correcting Jesus: 2000 Years of Changing the Story" and "Different Visions of Love: Partnership and Dominator Cultures in Christian History" reflect on the culture wars that have raged within Christianity from the religion's beginning down to the present. "A Galaxy of Immortal Women: The Yin Side of Chinese Civilization" explores the alternative traditions and religions of Chinese women, which offer the world a powerful vision for partnership, health, and spirituality. "War and Peace with the Beasts: A History of Our Relationships with Animals" examines our arbitrary hatreds or friendships with diverse animal species, our wars of extermination against animals we hate, and the potential for a future of mutual benefit. Griffith lives in a multicultural marriage in the multicultural hub of Toronto.

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3.8 out of 5 stars
22 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

  • Coastal Hiker
    5.0 out of 5 stars Provides A Much-Needed Orientation ...
    Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2010
    Verified Purchase
    ... to many policies and attitudes which are associated with the Roman Catholic church today. This has been extremely helpful to me. I am a "cradle Catholic". Increasingly over the years I have noted that many central messages I've heard when I attended mass -- as well as many statements in the 4 Gospels -- do not seem consistent with Jesus' core message. Jesus' way of perceiving the world, and the change of perception I believe Jesus was trying to impart to others (regarding God, others, and self) so often seems poorly-represented by the institution of the church. "Correcting Jesus" does a fantastic job of providing a historical summary of events along the 2,000-year timeline. (In fact, it is so good I've made a note to verify some of the book's contents ... assuming the book is accurate, it is "golden"!) My only problems with the publication are minor: at times it is a lot of information to plow through; and also, as noted on the back cover, much of the historical information is disheartening or downright depressing. So be it. This is a unique book which has been of high value to me for reasons noted above, and also because it seems to corroborate some developments in my "personal theology".
    11 people found this helpful
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  • Denise
    5.0 out of 5 stars How the story changed to the point of rejecting Jesus.....
    Reviewed in the United States on November 19, 2009
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    Brian does an excellent job of sharing not only how the story has changed, but how, and who and why. He outlines and clearly shows us not only how much the story has changed, but just how far from the teachings of Jesus Christ, that Christianity we know today has taken people.

    I'd recommend this book to any person that honestly would like to see just how much the story has changed, and just how "correcting Jesus" has gotten us to the point today that most of the reported teachings of Jesus Christ, are actually rejected for traditions created by changing/correcting the story to fit the agenda of others, instead of Jesus Christ.

    For a detailed explanation of the book directly from Brian... you can visit his site[...].
    17 people found this helpful
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  • Allan Savage
    4.0 out of 5 stars Positive Presentation
    Reviewed in the United States on August 22, 2015
    A prolific reader of history, Griffith presents a perspective on the Jesus story that is pregnant with significant detail – much of which is probably under-appreciated by the average person, believer and non-believer alike. (A glance at the pages of notes, the bibliography and the index shows the scope of the data upon which he bases this book.) He does not write to defend any religious perspective but critiques the expression of Christianity today in contrast to the understanding of the data given in the original revelation – or at least as close to that understanding as we can get. Authenticity in religious history is not a problem reserved to Christianity but it is common to all religions. To my mind, anyone interested in religious studies, the ordained and non-ordained, and professional theologians would profit from reading the perspective offered by Griffiths. The courageous, reader open to reforming his or her inherited understanding, will find motivation in Griffith’s research. The title notwithstanding, Griffith’s book is not negative, but is a critical and positive presentation of an orthodox understanding of contemporary Christianity. (Much of the content he presents had been contained in the Catholic theological syllabus which I studied in my seminary days shortly after Vatican II.) I have no hesitation in recommending this book to those “new” to religious thinking and those well-acquainted with the Christian tradition.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Bulldog Drummond
    1.0 out of 5 stars Wrong?
    Reviewed in the United States on August 27, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    My wife wanted this book. When it came she wanted me to look it over, needless to say I wasn't impressed with the writer or the book.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Judith Moore
    2.0 out of 5 stars Look elsewhere
    Reviewed in the United States on April 26, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    This is a rather poorly written book which seems not to have been proofread or copy-edited. It takes an extremely broad-brush approach to the whole history of Christianity--far from what the title suggests--and relies heavily on secondary sources, some, like the works of Will and Ariel Durant, never highly regarded by scholars and by now quite out-dated. If you're looking for well-written and accessible analyses of the New Testament, Bart Ehrlich is a better choice.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Mae Beth Williams
    5.0 out of 5 stars Tough Love
    Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2013
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    The bits of humor levitated a difficult and hard hitting 'exposure' of the manipulation of history. The author cites original source material lending veracity. More fun than Karen Armstrong who explores similar materials. Not for someone immersed in 'faith' who cannot endure difficult and challenging truths.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • John Kraus
    5.0 out of 5 stars very valuable read and well done.
    Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Superbly written. Every sentence full of information. The review of early church history, while painfull, was enlightening. This gives us hope as a way to better improve Relations among all Abrahamic religions.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Dennis Jennings
    5.0 out of 5 stars furthers my understanding
    Reviewed in the United States on January 15, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    a very clear view of the evolution of the churches revealed truth. from love you neighbor as yourself to "kill them all, god knows his own."
    2 people found this helpful
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