Banned Questions about Jesus

by Christian Piatt (Editor)

Real questions, real responses. Examine questions and answers about Jesus that many of us were afraid to ask.

Did Jesus ever have sex?
Was Jesus ever wrong?
Do people have to choose to follow Jesus to go to heaven?



Ever get the feeling that you can t ask those kinds of questions at church? But if we can t ask the tough, keep-you-awake-at-night questions within our faith communities, then what good are those communities? Listen in as more than a dozen contributors whose ranks include a lawyer, a recovering achiever/lapsed vegetarian, ministers (ordained and not ordained), and more discuss the questions your Sunday school teachers were afraid to answer.

Also look for Banned Questions about the Bible .

Genres: Religion, Theology, Nonfiction

204 pages, Paperback

First published June 30, 2011

About the author

I once heard a surgeon tell an author that he had always wanted to write a novel.

"That's funny," said the author, "I've always wanted to perform brain surgery."

Writing as a hobby is one thing; writing as a passionate obsession is entirely another; writing professionally is equal parts megalomania and masochism.

I started out writing arts reviews for a local paper, moving on to features and a few op-ed pieces after a while with some other publications. I picked up a few pieces for some magazines, and from there, got my opportunity to do a weekly column in the paper, a regular column in a national magazine and my first two books with a national publisher in the relatively short span of eighteen months.

It took me a decade of preparation to get there, though.

I hooked up with a literary agent in 2007, who has been focusing on shopping a novel and a memoir for me. Meanwhile, I do articles for various websites and magazines, and I'm in the process of acting as a series co-editor for a string of young adult theology books for Chalice Press. I'm also working as volume editor on a couple of books in the series. The first two books in the series will be out in 2009.

I'd insert something cute and funny here, but then you'd only be disappointed if you ever met me and thought, "Hey, he's not cute and funny like his bio at all. He sucks." So I'll just leave it at that.

Reviews

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book surprised me. It was more rooted in Christian faith than I expected, with many of its contributors being active in the ministry. However, despite (?) this, the book was still very open about many of the things we do and don't and can and won't know about Jesus. If you are a stickler for "the Bible says it, therefore it is 100% true, no questions asked, no thought needed," this is not your book. For example, one contributor is clear that she does not believe the virgin birth story, and another states that he will believe something until archaeologists prove it otherwise (implying that he has evidence to the contrary, he is open to changing his views). For the contributors, the importance of Jesus is in his ministry, what he advocated for (love and compassion above all else). Furthermore, their approach so some of the trickier subjects (e.g. why did Jesus have to suffer so...what does that say about God) really helped me walk away better understanding how even the lowest point of Jesus's life can be used to inspire faith in God. Honestly, contributors are the kind of people that I would love to have a beer with and discuss religion, and the book has me walking away thinking differently about some of what I had grown up being taught (or absorbing via cultural osmosis) about Christianity.

[Kelly Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Talk about challenging thoughts and beliefs. But sooo worth it. I love the fact we can question and know that God is ok with it. He may even answer too!

[Greg D · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, the book was good. I thoroughly appreciated the fresh new insight it offered. And, these insights certainly made for an interesting read. But, if one is looking for scholarly input then this book will disappoint. Most (not all) of the answers provided in this book come from everyday people like you and me. Although I did recognize a few names of those who have a seminary/teaching background. Nevertheless, one does not have to be a scholar to know Jesus. And, it's good to hear fresh perspectives from those who think differently from me. But, when providing tough answers to tough questions, especially relating to the deity of Christ (the central figure of Christianity), it's good to hear from those who have done thorough research in this field of study. Lastly, most of the answers to these good questions have a liberal slant to them. Not that liberal is bad, for I myself am liberal in most part. But, this makes the book quite imbalanced. It would have been nice to have some conservative commentary as well. This also makes it difficult to read other books by this author if he is known to only provide liberal theological views. Nevertheless, there was some new and fresh insight on topics that I have never thought of before and much of it I appreciated. But, in most part I felt the Jesus that was painted in this book was more human than God, and certainly less divine. I will likely not rush out to buy another book by Piatt. But, I will certainly not avoid reading one should it fall into my lap.

[Lee Harmon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me say first that this is shaping up into a great series! This is the second book, following closely on the heels of Banned Questions About the Bible [http://www.dubiousdisciple.com/2011/1...]. As with book one, Piatt’s MO here is to collect a number of uncomfortable questions, typically issues that we would feel awkward about discussing with our pastor, and then pose the questions to contributors. There are fifty questions in each book.

While it deserves a five-star review in its own way, I found the second book a little different in flavor from the first. Book two is more inspiring and comforting, less thought-provoking. Less puzzle-solving and more opinions. Or maybe it just seemed that way.

Partly, the differing flavor is because some of the questions are simply impossible to answer with only a Bible in your hand! Was Jesus ever sick? How soon did he know he was divine? Was he ever wrong? Yeah, we all want answers to these questions, but who’s got them? Contributors in book two are forced to dig inside themselves, and discover what Jesus’ life really means.

But the book has its theological doozies as well. When Jesus participates in the Last Supper, doesn’t that mean he’s eating his own body and drinking his own blood? If Jesus had to die in order to save us from sin, how did he get away with forgiving people of their sin before he died?

As with book one, I loved it and hope to see the series continue!

[Robert D. Cornwall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Under the editorship of Christian Piatt, as with Banned Questions of the Bible, 50 questions are asked, followed by 3-4 responses, from a variety of contributors. Most are progressive or liberal, but not all. It's an attempt to raise questions, offer answers, but in a way that doesn't close down conversation but encourages it. Along with each question/response there are further readings suggested along with discussion questions.

It should be a useful book for individual use and group use. Check it out!

For longer review -- http://pastorbobcornwall.blogspot.com...

[Darrell Vandervort · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent way to deal with difficult questions, compile a group to provide answers with guidance from other sources and questions to promote further dialogue. As this book, as many of the contributors themselves, come from the tradition of the Disciples of Christ it is important that we reclaim the concept of an informed faith. We are to bring education into the study of the Bible. We are to use reason as well as emotion in ministry. This is an excellent resource for the church.

[Eric Ledermann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is a great way to invite small groups to explore those questions we used to get in trouble during Sunday School for asking (or got chastised by fellow Christians for asking). The responses from respected authors are refreshing, realistic, and faithful. I highly encourage this for high school youth groups, college/young adult groups, and any group! Warning: the responses are definitely from a Gen-X/Millennial and more progressive Christian perspective.

[Linda Brendle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like "Banned Questions about the Bible," this book is a bit liberal for me. However, it asks questions that make you think about what you believe and why. Scripture references and suggested discussion questions make it a good choice for group studies.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Liked the first book much better.