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The Scandalous Gospel of Jesus: What's So Good About the Good News? Audiobook
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(3.13) - 240 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
New York Times bestselling author and renowned Harvard preacher Peter J. Gomes takes on the hot-button issues in the world today by returning to Jesus's message.
"What did Jesus preach?" asks the esteemed Harvard pastor, who believes that excessive focus on the Bible and doctrines about Jesus have led the Christian church astray. To recover the transformative power of the gospel—"the good news"—Gomes says we must go beyond the Bible and rediscover how to live out Jesus's original revolutionary message of hope. With eloquence and insight, using examples from ancient times as well as modern pop culture, Gomes shows us why the good news is every bit as relevant today as it was when first preached.
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"This was a good book, but not as much fun as I'd hoped. As usual, Gomes' turns of phrase are elegant and evoke his formal, slightly British preaching style. He has done an excellent job of mixing anecdotes and scholarship, while writing accessibly. I think what I wanted and didn't get was a richer portrait of Jesus-as-rebel. What I got instead was a rich analysis of the Christian church and how hard it may be to apply the principles developed as a minority underdog when one finds oneself holding all (or many) of the power cards. Fascinating. Interesting. Great sermon material. But not as compelling as I'd expected. It felt much more like work and much less like an engaging and relevant read. That probably has as much to do with my expectations as with the book itself, though."
— Leela (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“An incisive original…[Gomes is] a born storyteller.”
— Publishers Weekly (starred review) -
An incisive original.... [Gomes is] a born storyteller.
— Publishers Weekly Starred Review
The Scandalous Gospel of Jesus Listener Reviews
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" "A respectful agnosticism is called for when often there is offered in its place a self-interested certainty." "
— Jennifer, 2/14/2014 -
" Not bad, not bad at all. But for me at least, there wasn't too much that was new for me. Still a good read. "
— Paul, 2/14/2014 -
" Not bad for a Protestant! Gomes remind us that it's all about love...specifically love of neighbor...and don't ask, like the smarty pants in Luke, "...who is my neighbor?" ...its the gay person, the homeless person, the Democrat, the Republican... "
— Ms., 2/11/2014 -
" Conservative Christians may not like what Rev. Gomes is saying (look at what He says and act on it) nor the fact that he's even saying it (he's openly gay). Gomes, a longtime minister and Harvard professor, calls for a return to the social gospel in vogue until the 1970s. "
— Bill, 2/9/2014 -
" I bought this book after I saw the author as a guest on The Colbert Report. He was intelligent and funny on the show. The book is not funny, but it's a descent read. "
— Al, 2/1/2014 -
" A portrayal of an inclusive, welcoming gospel. Makes me want to read more books by Gomes. "
— Jennifer, 1/17/2014 -
" A reminder that Jesus was a radical who advocated disruptive social change and would be opposed by conservatives if he appeared today. A call to those who claim to be "Christian" to challenge the status quo and stand against injustice. "
— Raymond, 1/11/2014 -
" Absolutely, totally brilliant. One of the greatest theologians of our time. However, it can draggg a little in places and get a little impenetrable. However, the quality of ideas and the challenge presented to people of faith is so great it still wins 4 stars from me. "
— Eva, 12/19/2013 -
" I'm reading this book now after hearing the author speak at The Tattered Cover book store. Easy to read, yet makes me stop and think. "
— Edie, 11/23/2013 -
" Very readable and thought provoking, it's a great read for the theological neophyte. "
— Erin, 11/21/2013 -
" Written for Christians. Readable, makes sense. "
— Janne, 8/23/2013 -
" This book reinforced my Christian beliefs. Gomes wraps up nicely how one can be a social liberal and still be a Christian. I would like to read his other books. Bible scholars will probably not be interested in this book because Gomes does not do an in depth study of scripture. "
— Susan, 8/6/2013 -
" read with the Garden City UM Wed a.m. book study - a good one to digest and discuss "
— Penny, 3/19/2013 -
" Always enjoy Peter Gomes's writing, ideas. "
— Marla, 12/23/2012 -
" It's one of the best book from a minister. "
— Poung, 6/15/2012 -
" One of my favorite books of all-time! I simply can not say enough great things about this great book. "
— Forrest, 4/25/2012 -
" What did Jesus really teach? Not "WWJD" but what would Jesus have me do? "
— Mckinley, 2/11/2012 -
" A very good book. Started off strong, raised many good issues, but I feel vaguely let down by the end of the book, kinda like the book lost steam somewhere. "
— Matthew, 9/22/2011 -
" The third book in the series is as worthwhile as was the first "The Good Book". It is a great book exploring the relationship of person to God. "
— Pablo, 7/9/2011 -
" I happen to agree w/Gomes so loved the book "
— Gwen, 6/3/2011 -
" Very readable and thought provoking, it's a great read for the theological neophyte. "
— Erin, 4/3/2011 -
" A portrayal of an inclusive, welcoming gospel. Makes me want to read more books by Gomes. "
— Jennifer, 3/22/2011 -
" A reminder that Jesus was a radical who advocated disruptive social change and would be opposed by conservatives if he appeared today. A call to those who claim to be "Christian" to challenge the status quo and stand against injustice. "
— Raymond, 2/16/2010 -
" Not - What would Jesus Do? <br/> <br/>But - What would Jesus have US do? <br/> <br/> "
— Beth639, 9/20/2009 -
" The third book in the series is as worthwhile as was the first "The Good Book". It is a great book exploring the relationship of person to God. "
— Pablo, 9/16/2009 -
" Not bad, not bad at all. But for me at least, there wasn't too much that was new for me. Still a good read. "
— Paul, 7/27/2009 -
" read with the Garden City UM Wed a.m. book study - a good one to digest and discuss "
— Penny, 6/7/2009 -
" "A respectful agnosticism is called for when often there is offered in its place a self-interested certainty." "
— Jennifer, 11/21/2008 -
" I bought this book after I saw the author as a guest on The Colbert Report. He was intelligent and funny on the show. The book is not funny, but it's a descent read. "
— Al, 10/23/2008
About Peter J. Gomes
Peter J. Gomes is the New York Times bestselling author of The Good Book, The Good Life, Sermons, and Strength for the Journey. He has been a minister in Harvard University’s Memorial Church since 1974, when he was appointed Pusey Minister of the church and Plummer Professor of Christian Morals. Gomes is considered one of the top preachers in the United States. He lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
About Patrick Lawlor
Patrick Lawlor, an award-winning narrator, is also an accomplished stage actor, director, and combat choreographer. He has worked extensively off Broadway and has been an actor and stuntman in both film and television. He has been an Audie Award finalist multiple times and has garnered several AudioFile Earphones Awards, a Publishers Weekly Listen-Up Award, and many starred audio reviews from Library Journal and Kirkus Reviews.