Christianity According to Christ: A Gospel Primer for Nonbelievers

The gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke and John – are the only books of the bible that claim to recount the actual words and deeds of Jesus. As such, believers must accept their teachings as coming from Jesus himself. My book categorizes and analyzes these passages, covering the life of Jesus, his teachings, his apostles, his quarrels with the Jewish clergy, the miracles, and events preceding and following his crucifixion. Although my observations deviate from Christian orthodoxy, my focus is on examining the implications of the gospel stories rather than challenging their veracity. The implications are often startling and at wide variance from the Christian interpretations that have evolved over the centuries.

The Christian Bible, in all its versions, is the most widely read book in the world. Billions of people have read at least parts of it, and over its history of nearly two millennia, thousands of groups and individuals, if not hundreds of thousands, have interpreted it in myriads of ways. Consequently, today's big tent of Christianity encompasses a bewildering variety of often conflicting belief systems. But which of these systems most accurately reflect the teachings of Jesus? This groundbreaking book presents and analyzes the actual gospel narratives and their implications for believers, as observed from the viewpoint of a nonreligious outsider.

The gospels were essentially written in chronological order, but for purposes of this book, the author has reorganized their passages into broad subject areas. In each chapter, the author examines and discusses a particular topic, providing all the pertinent gospel citations for reference. Highlights include Jesus as an individual, his place in the Christian pantheon, a look at the disciples, the ongoing conflicts with the Jewish clergy, heaven, hell, the miracles, and the gospel prescription for admission to heaven. The only major departures from gospel sources are Old Testament references that are included for background, context, and clarification. Written by a religious skeptic, this book offers a thorough analysis of the gospel that will help readers understand the context, complexities, and contradictions in one of humanity's most famous texts.