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The Good Book: Reading the Bible with Mind and Heart
"The Bible and the social and moral consequences that derive from its interpretation are all too important to be left in the hands of the pious or the experts, and too significant to be ignored and trivialized by the uninformed and indifferent.
400 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1996
170 people are currently reading
929 people want to read
About the author
Peter J. Gomes
46 books28 followersBorn May 22, 1942, in Boston, Massachusetts from Cape Verdean parents, Gomes graduated from Bates College in 1965 and Harvard Divinity School in 1968. He also spent time at the University of Cambridge and is now an Honorary Fellow of Emmanuel College, where The Gomes Lectureship is established in his name. Gomes was ordained as an American Baptist minister by the First Baptist Church of Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1968. Gomes remains a member of First Baptist and occasionally preaches there. Since 1970, he has served in the Memorial Church of Harvard University; and since 1974 as Plummer Professor of Christian Morals and Pusey Minister in the Memorial Church. Also at Harvard, he serves as faculty adviser of The Harvard Ichthus. Gomes is a leading expert on early American religion. He has been a visiting professor at Duke University as well as UNC-Chapel Hill. In 2008 he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Westfield State College.
Widely regarded as one of America’s most distinguished preachers, Professor Gomes has fulfilled preaching and lecturing engagements throughout the United States and Great Britain. He was named Clergy of the Year in 1998 by Religion and American Life. His New York Times and national best-selling books, The Good Book: Reading the Bible with Mind and Heart and Sermons, the Book of Wisdom for Daily Living, were published by William Morrow & Company. He has published in total ten volumes of sermons, as well as numerous articles and papers.
His most recent work, The Scandalous Gospel of Jesus, includes extensive commentary and observation on the interrelations of Church and State throughout history and particularly in recent US history. On September 15, 2008 he appeared on The Colbert Report to promote his book. During this interview, he also states that he was baptized Catholic and claims gospels are "a dime a dozen."
Gomes surprised many when he revealed in 1991 that he is gay, and has since become an advocate for wider acceptance of homosexuality in American society. However, he has stated that he has remained celibate.
A lifelong Republican, Gomes offered prayers at the inaugurals of Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush. However, in August 2006 he moved his registration to Democrat, supporting the gubernatorial candidacy of Deval Patrick, who would later become the first African-American elected governor of Massachusetts. (Gomes, 2006) In 2008 Henry Louis Gates featured Gomes and his family on the PBS documentary African American Lives 2. A DNA test showed that Gomes is related to the Fulani, Tikar, and Hausa peoples of West Africa. Gomes is also descended from Portuguese Jews through his paternal grandfather who was born in the Cape Verde Islands
Widely regarded as one of America’s most distinguished preachers, Professor Gomes has fulfilled preaching and lecturing engagements throughout the United States and Great Britain. He was named Clergy of the Year in 1998 by Religion and American Life. His New York Times and national best-selling books, The Good Book: Reading the Bible with Mind and Heart and Sermons, the Book of Wisdom for Daily Living, were published by William Morrow & Company. He has published in total ten volumes of sermons, as well as numerous articles and papers.
His most recent work, The Scandalous Gospel of Jesus, includes extensive commentary and observation on the interrelations of Church and State throughout history and particularly in recent US history. On September 15, 2008 he appeared on The Colbert Report to promote his book. During this interview, he also states that he was baptized Catholic and claims gospels are "a dime a dozen."
Gomes surprised many when he revealed in 1991 that he is gay, and has since become an advocate for wider acceptance of homosexuality in American society. However, he has stated that he has remained celibate.
A lifelong Republican, Gomes offered prayers at the inaugurals of Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush. However, in August 2006 he moved his registration to Democrat, supporting the gubernatorial candidacy of Deval Patrick, who would later become the first African-American elected governor of Massachusetts. (Gomes, 2006) In 2008 Henry Louis Gates featured Gomes and his family on the PBS documentary African American Lives 2. A DNA test showed that Gomes is related to the Fulani, Tikar, and Hausa peoples of West Africa. Gomes is also descended from Portuguese Jews through his paternal grandfather who was born in the Cape Verde Islands
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
March 13, 2012
A very lively, excellent, and relevant booking on reading the Bible. It was written for readers across the spectrum - from those who are intimidated by it or curious, to those who may feel they know it rather well. Though this topic may seem prudishly boring, the author has a wonderful way of bringing both seriousness and illuminating humor to the subject. This book should be a mandatory read for every person who intends to or currently reads the Bible. One of my favorite assertions made by the author in this book is that "studying the Bible" does not mean merely reading your preferred translation and thinking of ways to apply it to your life (among peers who agree with you, no doubt). That is an insult to all who take it seriously enough to study the history, cultures, and modes of interpretation enacted over the years.
This book is divided into three parts. Part One explains what the Bible is about, the interpretive differences and histories, and its role in America. Part Two deals with the use/abuse of the Bible over the years in topics like war, race, antisemitism, women, and homosexuality. Part Three concerns itself with the relevancy and application to different aspects of our lives, including the Good Life, suffering, joy, evil, temptation, wealth, science, and mystery.
Be aware, this book was written by a scholar who ministered at Harvard University for decades. But it is very accessible for laypersons like myself and will surely deepen both your understanding and the capacity of your soul.
This book is divided into three parts. Part One explains what the Bible is about, the interpretive differences and histories, and its role in America. Part Two deals with the use/abuse of the Bible over the years in topics like war, race, antisemitism, women, and homosexuality. Part Three concerns itself with the relevancy and application to different aspects of our lives, including the Good Life, suffering, joy, evil, temptation, wealth, science, and mystery.
Be aware, this book was written by a scholar who ministered at Harvard University for decades. But it is very accessible for laypersons like myself and will surely deepen both your understanding and the capacity of your soul.
January 17, 2016
To quote the book
"Once, perhaps a long time ago in childhood or in early youth or even as late as in college, you were introduced. You have a nodding acquaintance with the Bible, or at least you feel you ought to and you can recognize some familiar phrases, especially if they "sound" like the King James Version of the Bible; yet, to all intents and purposes the Bible remains an elusive, unknown, slightly daunting book. It is awkward to coincide that you don't know very much about the Bible, given its cultural prominence, and it is difficult to figure out how to get reintroduced without conceding your illiteracy. Perhaps the lament I have heard more and more frequently in recent years is the one that says, "I wish I knew more about the Bible."
When I read that I thought WOW, YES are you reading my mind? The chapter "what is it all about" was EXCELLENT for someone like me, who just doesn't get why the bible is written the way it is. Who doesn't get why it has been translated in so many various texts.
All and all I really liked this book. It helped me get a better understanding of the Bible. The book mentions The Apocrypha Index. I look forward to reading those books taken out of the Bible. Perhaps it will give me a better understanding of the work as a whole.
"Once, perhaps a long time ago in childhood or in early youth or even as late as in college, you were introduced. You have a nodding acquaintance with the Bible, or at least you feel you ought to and you can recognize some familiar phrases, especially if they "sound" like the King James Version of the Bible; yet, to all intents and purposes the Bible remains an elusive, unknown, slightly daunting book. It is awkward to coincide that you don't know very much about the Bible, given its cultural prominence, and it is difficult to figure out how to get reintroduced without conceding your illiteracy. Perhaps the lament I have heard more and more frequently in recent years is the one that says, "I wish I knew more about the Bible."
When I read that I thought WOW, YES are you reading my mind? The chapter "what is it all about" was EXCELLENT for someone like me, who just doesn't get why the bible is written the way it is. Who doesn't get why it has been translated in so many various texts.
All and all I really liked this book. It helped me get a better understanding of the Bible. The book mentions The Apocrypha Index. I look forward to reading those books taken out of the Bible. Perhaps it will give me a better understanding of the work as a whole.
January 29, 2012
The issues raised are important in regards to the Bible. However, Gomes' arguments are not persuasive. Also, there seems to be contradictions, e.g., his criticism of interpretations in the chapter "A Matter of Interpretations", section "The Danger of Interpretations". Yet later, on the matter of homosexuality in "The Bible and Homosexuality", he offers his own interpretation of "The Law of Leviticus" i.e., Leviticus 18:22. Perhaps the non persuasive arguments are due to a verbose writing style that either obscures or takes too long to get to the point. As such, I don't think "unbelieving believers" i.e., nominal Christians (Afterward, page 348) would find them either. Consequently, I find the book a forgettable read.
January 8, 2008
This book provides a new way to read the bible. The author is a gay black minister at Harvard and so he is really suggesting a new way to understand the scriptures as it relates to homophobia, sexism and racism. In this book he takes apart and deconstructs all the misreadings about the bible that people have used to justify homophobia, sexism racism etc. I won't say that all his arguments are convincing but it is definitely eye opening and refreshing to hear a new reading of the bible that challenges the prejudices of the modern day church.
August 25, 2007
The author is likable, extremely intelligent, knowledgeable, and wholly dedicated to God. Particular attention is given to the role of women, African-Americans and homosexuals within the Bible. Gomes examines prejudice as "supported" by scripture, and how some Christians throughout time have used scripture to support marginalizing segments of society.
December 3, 2018
Dr. Peter Gomes was for many years the Plummer Professor of Christian Morals at Harvard Divinity School, and the Pusey Minster at Harvard's Memorial Church. (Regretfully, although I was a student at Harvard, I failed to hear him speak.) His stated purpose in this book is to encourage Christians to examine their own relationship with the Bible and its role in larger society. He claims that our interpretation of the Bible it is necessarily a reflection of us, and that we must interpret the Bible in the context of our own culture. Gomes cautions against three major sins of interpretation: (a) making the Bible itself into an idol, giving it "glory due to God", (b) worshiping the words over the spirit, and (c) using the Bible to justify those aspects of our current culture to which we are unjustifiably attached.
In light of Gomes' concerns, it is unsurprising that this book is not conventional "Bible Study"; it is not an attempt to look at particular verses and draw conclusions from them, nor are there exercises that ask the reader to relate Bible stories to their own lives. There are of course plenty of references to scripture, and interesting examinations of some of the stories, but this is an intellectual Christian's attempt to put the Bible in to the context of modern America, not a devotional.
The section of the book that addresses some of the evil that has been done under the cover of scripture is provocative and interesting. Gomes is unafraid to point out that Christians have done many un-Christian things. He specifically addresses slavery in the United States, anti-Semitism, sexism within the church, and mistreatment of homosexuals. Gomes presents the arguments, rooted in specific Bible passages, that have been used to justify bad acts, and then provides compelling arguments that we should be looking at the big picture, rather than to specific biblical verses, to determine how to deal with such issues. As Gomes puts it, we should be looking to biblical principle, not biblical practice.
On the topic of science, Gomes takes the position that the Bible and science are simply two different things; we need not reconcile (say) the biblical account of creation with the fossil record because the Bible is not attempting to provide a scientific account of creation, but, rather, provide a framework for us to use to understand our relationship to God. In a discussion of evil, Gomes makes the interesting argument that the civil rights movement was successful in part because it was, at its heart, a Christian campaign against evil, where as later rights movements have been less successful because they have been unwilling to frame the question as one of good vs. evil.
I can certainly imagine that many readers will disagree with some of Gomes' perspectives. His writing at times suffers occasionally from a common tendency of writers with elite educations: obscure references that only others with similarly elite educations will recognize. But, for those willing to make occasional use of Google, the reward is well-worth the effort and I would think that most readers would find something of value in the book. Even non-Christians would benefit from the thoughtful analysis of how the Bible has shaped America, for better and for worse.
In light of Gomes' concerns, it is unsurprising that this book is not conventional "Bible Study"; it is not an attempt to look at particular verses and draw conclusions from them, nor are there exercises that ask the reader to relate Bible stories to their own lives. There are of course plenty of references to scripture, and interesting examinations of some of the stories, but this is an intellectual Christian's attempt to put the Bible in to the context of modern America, not a devotional.
The section of the book that addresses some of the evil that has been done under the cover of scripture is provocative and interesting. Gomes is unafraid to point out that Christians have done many un-Christian things. He specifically addresses slavery in the United States, anti-Semitism, sexism within the church, and mistreatment of homosexuals. Gomes presents the arguments, rooted in specific Bible passages, that have been used to justify bad acts, and then provides compelling arguments that we should be looking at the big picture, rather than to specific biblical verses, to determine how to deal with such issues. As Gomes puts it, we should be looking to biblical principle, not biblical practice.
On the topic of science, Gomes takes the position that the Bible and science are simply two different things; we need not reconcile (say) the biblical account of creation with the fossil record because the Bible is not attempting to provide a scientific account of creation, but, rather, provide a framework for us to use to understand our relationship to God. In a discussion of evil, Gomes makes the interesting argument that the civil rights movement was successful in part because it was, at its heart, a Christian campaign against evil, where as later rights movements have been less successful because they have been unwilling to frame the question as one of good vs. evil.
I can certainly imagine that many readers will disagree with some of Gomes' perspectives. His writing at times suffers occasionally from a common tendency of writers with elite educations: obscure references that only others with similarly elite educations will recognize. But, for those willing to make occasional use of Google, the reward is well-worth the effort and I would think that most readers would find something of value in the book. Even non-Christians would benefit from the thoughtful analysis of how the Bible has shaped America, for better and for worse.
March 9, 2020
This book is much like a skipping stone, it dips into the water and then back into the air. I doesn't become an overly intellectual book or dip into the water of anti-intellectualism. It navigates that narrow land between a university press and a self-help Lifeway style book. This is a rare book indeed.
It shows its age in spots in talking about "homosexuality." Also, the book predicts a large-scale return to church and the things of mystery. Alas, the latter may have occurred but the former certainly hasn't. Finally, the book doesn't mention the global interconnectedness that comes with the dot.com boom in the early 2000s. And it cannot predict the wide wash of fear that comes post 9/11.
Still, the book is a helpful primer on how to interact with difficult hot-button issues within the culture. It seeks to have a soft approach to cultural challenges, making sure that one involves deeply on a topic, rather than simply proof-texting it.
I would recommend this book, but I'd imagine there are newer ones that would serve our 2020 crowd more thoroughly.
It shows its age in spots in talking about "homosexuality." Also, the book predicts a large-scale return to church and the things of mystery. Alas, the latter may have occurred but the former certainly hasn't. Finally, the book doesn't mention the global interconnectedness that comes with the dot.com boom in the early 2000s. And it cannot predict the wide wash of fear that comes post 9/11.
Still, the book is a helpful primer on how to interact with difficult hot-button issues within the culture. It seeks to have a soft approach to cultural challenges, making sure that one involves deeply on a topic, rather than simply proof-texting it.
I would recommend this book, but I'd imagine there are newer ones that would serve our 2020 crowd more thoroughly.
September 28, 2021
The Rev. Peter Gomes was one of my college professors, and I've always been a big fan of his lectures and sermons. It's a good thing, too, because he really does write the way he spoke. It's wordy, to be sure, but with a beautiful cadence that feels like you're getting a moving sermon in almost every chapter. The book is also quite dated now. There's a lot of discussion of the impending millennium, and a couple times he references how global warming has been "solved." But nevertheless, there is so much good stuff in this book about the Good Book. Some sections really gave me a lot to think about, such as his discussion about money, and it has made me even want to be a more generous, less materialistic person. This is a good introduction to the Bible for those who are just curious about it, and full of good reminders for those who are already well versed.
March 24, 2019
Peter Gomes was a distinguished Harvard academic and theologian, a black man, a homosexual and a Republican.
His delightful sermons and conversations are well remembered by anyone who visited - and his work the Good Book is a baggage free, bad memory free, rediscovery of the Bible.
Too often, many LGBT-readers, or politically progressive readers (and those two are not the same thing, necessarily), miss out on some of the rich material, symbolism, narratives and beauty of the Bible - because they are more used to seeing it used as a baseball bat on them.
Gomes's Good Book can reintroduce you, on more friendly terms, in the comfort of your own home. And in the delightful company of a man of wit, dignity, grace, empathy and linguistic mastery.
His delightful sermons and conversations are well remembered by anyone who visited - and his work the Good Book is a baggage free, bad memory free, rediscovery of the Bible.
Too often, many LGBT-readers, or politically progressive readers (and those two are not the same thing, necessarily), miss out on some of the rich material, symbolism, narratives and beauty of the Bible - because they are more used to seeing it used as a baseball bat on them.
Gomes's Good Book can reintroduce you, on more friendly terms, in the comfort of your own home. And in the delightful company of a man of wit, dignity, grace, empathy and linguistic mastery.
September 21, 2018
I have had this book on my shelf for over 10 years and never got around to it until a friend gave me a fresh copy at the start of the summer. This is an important book for anyone seeking a life of meaning and it serves to guide us to sacred scripture for succor, direction, wholeness, and relief from the cares of the modern technological world. The chapter on mystery, towards the end of the book, could stand on its own as a reason for turning towards the Bible for help, or to this book for that matter.
A marvelous book by a holy man.
A marvelous book by a holy man.
January 4, 2018
With the many of the controversies swirling around us, and parties claiming the Bible supported their view, decided I needed to understand it better. And seeing the unique background of Rev Gomes, thought this should be a good place to start. It was. It takes on each of the main issues of our times and give his take on how the Bible does or does not address it. It does so without over-simplification, but also without getting too academic. Glad I read it.
December 2, 2018
Peter Gomes was an exceptional human being. His books are very good, but nothing will ever compare to the experience of listening to him in person. I can attest that you don't have to be Christian, or even religious, to appreciate his wisdom and humor. I used to drop in on his sermons at Harvard while I was in medical school, and it would restore me for the week. I was terribly sad when he died in 2011.
May 21, 2024
I recommend this sincere if not profound book mainly for the chapter involving the visit Gomes (Harvard Chaplian and author) received from Mother Teresa. Moving slowly, the saint and the exceedingly humble nuns accompanying her barely spoke as they visited his office. Impossible to fully convey, it serenly seemed and felt as if Christ's redemptive suffering somehow infused the air around them. He was sincerely blown away by it then and, years later, I still am.
December 26, 2018
My favorite book of the season of Advent! This book provides great background on what the Bible is and isn't. In addition Peter Gomes provides great biblical insights on how to understand a variety of critical issues. He doesn't pretend to answer all questions. But, he sure gives plenty of reasonsfor reading, studying and praying with the Bible.
January 16, 2021
A really enlightening read.
A book that addresses the Bible and many important topics, among them: Race, Anti-Semitism, Women, Homosexuality, and even Suffering, Wealth, and Science. It was a great read. Super enlightening, especially on those topics.
A book that addresses the Bible and many important topics, among them: Race, Anti-Semitism, Women, Homosexuality, and even Suffering, Wealth, and Science. It was a great read. Super enlightening, especially on those topics.
October 31, 2018
Bought and read it the year it was published after seeing the author interviewed on 60 MINUTES.
December 19, 2019
Brilliant author, so much to take in and to think about. Loved this book.
November 26, 2022
Great book. Great topics.
October 18, 2008
Dubbed by Times magazine as one of America's seven best preache's, Harvard professor of Christian Morals and pastor of the school's University's Memorial Church, Rev. Gomes' latest work, The Good Book, is a bestseller selection of the Book of the Month and Quality Paperback Book Clubs. This well-written, compassionate and thoughtful book is written for the general public to entice them back to reading the Bible through new eyes, paying more attention to its moral principles than the social practices.
Rev. Gomes asserts that Biblical literacy in this country is extremely rare. Among a thousand people polled in the US by the Barna Research Group 10 percent said that Joan of Arc was Noah's wife, 16 percent were convinced that the New Testament contained the Gospel of Thomas, and 38 percent believed the Old and New Testaments were written a few years after Jesus' death. Gomes observed humorously that, "These replies are worthy of the old Sunday school howler in which the epistles are defined as the wives of the apostles." (p. 5)
The Good Book is divided into three sections: "Opening the Bible" wherein Gomes warns against three dangerous and common temptations on Biblical interpretation: (1) bibliolatry, "the worship of the Bible, making it an object of veneration and ascribing to it the glory belonging to God," (2) literalism, "the worship of the text, in which the letter is given inappropriate superiority over the spirit, and (3) culturalism, "the worship of the culture in which the Bible is forced to conform to the norms of the prevailing culture." Section two, "The Use and Abuse of the Bible" is a historical account of how the Bible has been used to oppress certain groups: Jews, women, homosexuals, and minorities. Section three, "The True and Lively Word" explores what the Bible has to say about the good life, evil, suffering, temptation, wealth, science, mystery and joy."
In an interview about the book with the Harvard University Gazette, Gomes commented "I would say, one, the Bible is accessible. Two, it takes work. The Bible is not a Reader's Digest sort of enterprise, and you can't simply open it up, as 90 percent of religious people do, and just hope that inspiration oozes out of the page or that you can just figure it out because you're a reasonably intelligent person. But, three, the work pays off because the Bible has to do with issues, both great and small, that are as relevant as tomorrow's headlines."
The Good Book is filled with scholarship and imagination, with wit and wisdom sufficient to serve as a road map back to and through the Bible. I join with the former Archbishop of Canterbury, The Right Reverend Lord Runcie, who hailed The Book as "easily the best contemporary book on the Bible for thoughtful people."
Rev. Gomes asserts that Biblical literacy in this country is extremely rare. Among a thousand people polled in the US by the Barna Research Group 10 percent said that Joan of Arc was Noah's wife, 16 percent were convinced that the New Testament contained the Gospel of Thomas, and 38 percent believed the Old and New Testaments were written a few years after Jesus' death. Gomes observed humorously that, "These replies are worthy of the old Sunday school howler in which the epistles are defined as the wives of the apostles." (p. 5)
The Good Book is divided into three sections: "Opening the Bible" wherein Gomes warns against three dangerous and common temptations on Biblical interpretation: (1) bibliolatry, "the worship of the Bible, making it an object of veneration and ascribing to it the glory belonging to God," (2) literalism, "the worship of the text, in which the letter is given inappropriate superiority over the spirit, and (3) culturalism, "the worship of the culture in which the Bible is forced to conform to the norms of the prevailing culture." Section two, "The Use and Abuse of the Bible" is a historical account of how the Bible has been used to oppress certain groups: Jews, women, homosexuals, and minorities. Section three, "The True and Lively Word" explores what the Bible has to say about the good life, evil, suffering, temptation, wealth, science, mystery and joy."
In an interview about the book with the Harvard University Gazette, Gomes commented "I would say, one, the Bible is accessible. Two, it takes work. The Bible is not a Reader's Digest sort of enterprise, and you can't simply open it up, as 90 percent of religious people do, and just hope that inspiration oozes out of the page or that you can just figure it out because you're a reasonably intelligent person. But, three, the work pays off because the Bible has to do with issues, both great and small, that are as relevant as tomorrow's headlines."
The Good Book is filled with scholarship and imagination, with wit and wisdom sufficient to serve as a road map back to and through the Bible. I join with the former Archbishop of Canterbury, The Right Reverend Lord Runcie, who hailed The Book as "easily the best contemporary book on the Bible for thoughtful people."
March 29, 2021
The Bible is a misunderstood, misused, and mysterious book (or rather, library of books). Overall, the Bible should be a source of wisdom, an invitation to living a good life, and a pointing toward the ultimate mysteriousness and transcendence of God.
December 31, 2016
This was okay. A little pretentious and sanctimonious and irritating but not enough of any of those to make me stop reading it and on the whole I felt I learned something, which, for summer reading, is pretty good.
December 16, 2015
Reverend Gomes reflections on the Bible is many things and has many parts. It is essentially divided into three parts: 1) How we relate to it, 2) How it relates to us, and 3) How we interact with it. The first section is a look at the relationship of Christians and Americans to the Bible. The second section covers the utilization and misuse of the Bible for social control today and throughout the Christian period. And the last part of it reflects on the use of the Bible in our daily or not so daily lives. However, all three parts are an exhaustive rejection of Christian fundamentalism and its heretical usage of the Good Book to avoid and distort the Word of God and Christ's message of love.
This work is a powerful source for arguments against Conservative positions on race, gender, Anti-Semitism, abortion, Dominionism, avarice, Creationism, and homosexuality. Gomes elucidates the errors in interpretation and general ignorance that pervades the Religious Right and the hazards of literal reading of the Bible. This is one of the strongest defenses of Mainstream Christianity and reminds of us how much we who attended such churches are indebted to their teachings and fellowship.
Gomes' three dangers of our interaction with the Bible should serve us well in our reading of any Great Book or lessons of Great Thinkers and Leaders:
1) Bibliolatry - The worship of the Bible, making of it an object of veneration and ascribing to it the glory due God.
2) Literalism - The worship of the text, in which the letter is given an inappropriate superiority over the spirit.
3) Culturalism - The worship of the culture, in which the Bible is forced to conform to the norms of the prevailing culture.
From these three principles the Good Reverend points us back to the focus of Jesus on love of our fellow Man and the beauty of His message to us. You don't have to be a Christian, lapsed or otherwise, to enjoy this work because it speaks to our humanity - both its positives and negatives - in each of us.
This work is a powerful source for arguments against Conservative positions on race, gender, Anti-Semitism, abortion, Dominionism, avarice, Creationism, and homosexuality. Gomes elucidates the errors in interpretation and general ignorance that pervades the Religious Right and the hazards of literal reading of the Bible. This is one of the strongest defenses of Mainstream Christianity and reminds of us how much we who attended such churches are indebted to their teachings and fellowship.
Gomes' three dangers of our interaction with the Bible should serve us well in our reading of any Great Book or lessons of Great Thinkers and Leaders:
1) Bibliolatry - The worship of the Bible, making of it an object of veneration and ascribing to it the glory due God.
2) Literalism - The worship of the text, in which the letter is given an inappropriate superiority over the spirit.
3) Culturalism - The worship of the culture, in which the Bible is forced to conform to the norms of the prevailing culture.
From these three principles the Good Reverend points us back to the focus of Jesus on love of our fellow Man and the beauty of His message to us. You don't have to be a Christian, lapsed or otherwise, to enjoy this work because it speaks to our humanity - both its positives and negatives - in each of us.
April 1, 2013
A bit disappointing. Gomes covers too much material in too little depth, with too little boldness. The result is a very moderate book that never fulfills its potential. In each chapter Gomes introduces a problem, presents other thinkers' responses to that problem, and then spends precious little time voicing his own opinion on the matter (and analyzing scripture himself) before concluding and diving into the next issue.
Gomes employs an odd methodology--half-academic, half-personal narrative--and this adds to the unsatisfying moderateness of the book. It isn't scholarly, although Gomes summarizes a few arguments of classic Christian theologians and some contemporary ones. Neither is the book particularly personal. Gomes occasionally talks about himself and his ministry, but not in a very revealing way. I wish he'd gone all-in in one direction or the other.
This book really isn't a crash course in Biblical literacy, as it is often described. I'm not sure how much one could get from it without being pretty familiar with the Bible, particularly with Paul (Gomes is huge on Paul).
Gomes employs an odd methodology--half-academic, half-personal narrative--and this adds to the unsatisfying moderateness of the book. It isn't scholarly, although Gomes summarizes a few arguments of classic Christian theologians and some contemporary ones. Neither is the book particularly personal. Gomes occasionally talks about himself and his ministry, but not in a very revealing way. I wish he'd gone all-in in one direction or the other.
This book really isn't a crash course in Biblical literacy, as it is often described. I'm not sure how much one could get from it without being pretty familiar with the Bible, particularly with Paul (Gomes is huge on Paul).
September 2, 2015
The late Peter J. Gomes was a black Methodist preacher most famous for his time as Professor of Christian Morals at Harvard College. I read this book because the chapter titled: "The Bible and Homosexuality: The Last Prejudice" was recommended to me by a colleague. It rocked my world. It was cool to read someone steeped in theology and biblical hermeneutics come to an "affirming" conclusion on homosexuality and the church. I also appreciated the dots he connected between the Bible and Race, the Bible and Anti-Semitism, the Bible and women, and finally the Bible and homosexuality. I often feel strong connections between these topics, but I'm afraid to talk about it because I know each one is unique in its place in the Christian community and biblical texts.
If you've read _Slaves, Women, and Homosexuals_, this book is laid out similar to that but the author arrives at different conclusions.
If you like a good blend of personal narrative, church history, and biblical exegesis, this book is for you and all your friends! :)
If you've read _Slaves, Women, and Homosexuals_, this book is laid out similar to that but the author arrives at different conclusions.
If you like a good blend of personal narrative, church history, and biblical exegesis, this book is for you and all your friends! :)
September 10, 2011
I first heard of Peter Gomes, sadly enough, when I read his obituary in the B. Globe. He was "the minister to Harvard" for almost 30 years, I think. He weathered all kinds of controversies on campus. He was known for being a cultural conservative and created his own controversy when he came out as a homosexual in 1991... Here is a reflection on that time: "I’m always seen as a black man and now I’m seen as a black gay man. If you throw the other factors in there that make me peculiar and interesting — the Yankee part, the Republican part, the Harvard type — all that stuff confuses people who have to have a single stereotypical lens in order to assure themselves they have a grasp on reality..."
His book is really good, if you like wrestling with "what does the Bible mean? How do we read it? What can I find in there?" There were some parts that held no interest to me where I had to slog, but other parts I couldn't get enough of... I will read more of his stuff someday, I'm sure.
His book is really good, if you like wrestling with "what does the Bible mean? How do we read it? What can I find in there?" There were some parts that held no interest to me where I had to slog, but other parts I couldn't get enough of... I will read more of his stuff someday, I'm sure.
June 9, 2013
Reading the Bible with the Mind as well as the Heart? What a lovely notion.
I quite liked this book, even reading it as an outsider to the faith. It serves as a good antidote to idiots who quote scripture to support untenable positions.
His thesis is that the Bible can be quoted to serve any purpose, and that Biblical inerrancy is a modern heresy that turns the text, or the physical book itself, into an object of idol worship. Instead he argues that the Bible should not be read as the inerrant word of God, but as a record of the experiences, insights and struggles of the worshippers who have gone before. When the words of the Bible and the spirit of God appear to be in conflict, he says, one should always side with the spirit.
That would be a better world to live in, I think.
I quite liked this book, even reading it as an outsider to the faith. It serves as a good antidote to idiots who quote scripture to support untenable positions.
His thesis is that the Bible can be quoted to serve any purpose, and that Biblical inerrancy is a modern heresy that turns the text, or the physical book itself, into an object of idol worship. Instead he argues that the Bible should not be read as the inerrant word of God, but as a record of the experiences, insights and struggles of the worshippers who have gone before. When the words of the Bible and the spirit of God appear to be in conflict, he says, one should always side with the spirit.
That would be a better world to live in, I think.
November 1, 2016
The audience for this book is the believers and "unbelieving believers" of Christian faith. It is not a book for conversion, nor a devotion for the faithful. With a lively and conversational voice, Gomes addresses the profoundly important questions of how to read and use Bible in real life. A renowned scholar and minster with famed oratorial skills, Gomes's book is a mixture of scholarly knowledge, personal reflection and real-life stories to teach his audience about Bible. Stepping aside of the "higher criticism" in favor of social-historic implications of a religious life, Gomes gave us much food for thoughts in wrestling with the complexity and difficulties of Bible and the human experience in history, particularly that of American history of slavery, women's rights, homosexuality, power and wealth.
August 1, 2007
Gomes succeeds in the first half on his book with his instructions on a good way to approach reading of the bible - he balances devotion and scholarship well making the case for scholarship's ability to enhance a devotional reading
Gomes's method of looking at contentious issues through the bible is marred by two flaws. 1 He is WAY too focussed on Paul. Not only does he not balance his new testament reading with the hebrew scriptures, but even his new testament readings give Jesus short shrift. 2 He gets a little mealy mouthed about what Paul says. If you are going to be a Pauline Christian, you need to accept that he is not easy/impossible to mesh with modern liberalism and tolerance.
Gomes's method of looking at contentious issues through the bible is marred by two flaws. 1 He is WAY too focussed on Paul. Not only does he not balance his new testament reading with the hebrew scriptures, but even his new testament readings give Jesus short shrift. 2 He gets a little mealy mouthed about what Paul says. If you are going to be a Pauline Christian, you need to accept that he is not easy/impossible to mesh with modern liberalism and tolerance.
July 6, 2011
Nice book by a theologian from the Harvard Divinity School on how the Bible addresses various hot-button topics such as homosexuality, wealth, temptation, science, women, racial issues, etc. Balanced and written with a heart, the book reminds the reader of the historical and social context of a lot of the passages that are often lifted out of context to support a particular point, thus arming the reader with knowledge to refute those people who seem to love doing just that. I think he also makes a valid point on the fallacy of 'worshiping' the Bible as literal and infallible rather than worshiping God.
July 4, 2007
Peter Gomes is a Harvard divinity professor, a Republican with strong ties to the Bush (Sr.) administration, and a gay black man. I picked this up because the contradictions inherent in his person fascinated me, but kept reading it because it's a...well, it's a good book, no pun intended. It's not the judgmental screed I expect from people associated with the right; it's a thoughtful look at the Bible itself from a perspective of deep personal faith and extensive academic study, and it touches on a lot of social issues in enlightening ways.
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