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| The Scandalous Gospel of Jesus: What's So Good About the Good News? | 
 enlarge | Author: Peter J. Gomes
Publisher: HarperOne
Category: Book
List Price: $14.95
Buy New: $8.67
You Save: $6.28 (42%)
New (37) Used (9) from $6.75
Avg. Customer Rating:  18 reviews
Sales Rank: 27157
Media: Paperback
Edition: Reprint
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 272
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.6
Dimensions (in): 8.8 x 6 x 0.9
ISBN: 0060000740
Dewey Decimal Number: 200
EAN: 9780060000745
ASIN: 0060000740
Publication Date: September 1, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: BRAND NEW
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Product Description
How the Church Domesticated Jesus With his unique blend of eloquence and insight, the esteemed Harvard minister Peter J. Gomes invites us to hear anew the radical nature of Jesus' message of hope and change. Using examples from ancient times as well as from modern pop culture, The Scandalous Gospel of Jesus shows us why the good news is every bit as relevant today as when it was first preached.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 13 more reviews...
Ten star gem December 15, 2007
44 out of 58 found this review helpful
Dietrich Bonhoeffer (The Cost of Discipleship) is a writer who was the type of Christian I admire, which is also why I admit this author Rev. Peter Gomes, because he asks the question over and over as he makes the reader think, instead of What would Jesus Do, What would Jesus have me do? This in regard to the popular WWJD wristbands.
Like that he writes of Jesus as someone whose message has been lost on so many people. Possibly the majority who have made him into some hands off fantasy character. Instead of the man who warned about letting someone or some leaders lead us like lambs to the slaughter, or in a mob rule or the majority wins mentality.
And how the author challenges us as Christians and as humans as a whole, not to be so comfortable. That Christ challenges us then and now to be bold and to speak out on issues like what the seven deadly sins speak of. How he reminds us in a world where the word 'Love' has become so sappy and empty, that the love Christ spoke of, actually requires us to face our fears.
Like the fear of not being loved by others should we dare speak up and say the emperor has no clothes. Regardless of what or who the emperor in our lives and world is.
Aside from being an articulate and brilliant man, the author is also one of those rare people whom I could listen to for hours and pray he never shut up.
The real good news! December 7, 2007
31 out of 37 found this review helpful
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.
Jesus as the ultimate "change agent" ... January 12, 2008
31 out of 32 found this review helpful
"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"!
Good news for some, bad news for others. December 17, 2007
11 out of 18 found this review helpful
What a wonderful book! In the Scandolous gospel of Jesus Peter Gomes has shared with us the challenging reality he is able to see through the hypnotic illusions of our currant times. All who read this book will benefit, especially those whom it may make uncomfortable.
the scandalous gospel of jesus January 3, 2008
10 out of 10 found this review helpful
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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