Correcting Jesus: 2000 Years of Changing the Story

by Brian Griffith

“[Griffith] is a thorough independent scholar, and his concise writing makes historical facts engaging and relevant. His most important take-home message: it is not verboten for people of faith to ask why beliefs and practices developed in a specific way. In fact, it could even be considered an obligation for healthy, committed believers to do so.” — Publishers Weekly

“I love Brian Griffith for having the heart to try to scrape away the barnacles of ideology and prejudice that keep attaching themselves to those four, frail little gospel boats. Part of this book will break your heart as he describes how little compromises and strategic emphases grow into huge errors and disasters.” —FRANK COTTRELL BOYCE, author of Millions, a Carnegie Medal award-winning book adapted into a feature film directed by Danny Boyle

In Correcting Jesus, Brian Griffith patiently and clearly untangles the many strands of the story of Christianity, and the many changes made over the centuries to the original story of Jesus and his message. If you’ve ever wondered, “Where did that rule come from?” and “Was it always this way?” this book will provide enlightenment.

Brian Griffith grew up in Texas, studied history at the University of Alberta, and now lives just outside of Toronto, Ontario. He is an independent historian who examines how cultural history influences our lives, and how collective experience offers insights for our future.

Genres: Religion, History, Nonfiction, Ebooks

336 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2009

About the author

Griffith is a writer who collects stories about the relations between history, religion, and the environment.

Reviews

[Lee Harmon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jesus blew it. He expected too much. A number of his teachings were simply unworkable, and the church found it necessary to rework them over time.

Jesus thought we should treat women as equals, but we corrected that howler in a hurry. He thought maybe God would forgive all those who forgave others, but we quickly realized God isn’t that forgiving. There are many stipulations to His mercy. Jesus suggested we turn the other cheek, but we Americans fixed that one, too. We amassed the biggest military in history, to make sure we never have to play the pacifist like Jesus.

Jesus’s early followers practiced equality, but everybody in our capitalistic country knows what nonsense that is. That man in the gutter, hoping for a handout? He’s there because he’s too lazy to work.

Most of all, we laughed at the way Jesus practiced compassion. Better to throw divorcees, gays, blacks, Muslims, and especially those bleeding heart Liberals under the evangelistic steamroller. We have a conservative agenda to live up to.

This book is a little–no, maybe a lot–more serious than I’m letting on, but it manages to be as entertaining as it is thought-provoking. Highly recommended.

Exterminating Angel Press, © 2009, 326 pages

ISBN: 978-1-935259-02-2

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are many people who most earnestly declare that the Bible is the inerrant word of God. But how many of us wonder if the Bible has always been believed exactly as it is today. What about all the different translations? What about the fact that it wasn’t written in English—King James’ or any other form. And what if different churches at different times might not have agreed on exactly what the Bible said?

Brian Griffith takes his readers on a fascinating ride through history, showing how Christian stances on different topics have changed over the years, despite the underlying books of the Bible (and especially the New Testament) staying the same. The book covers topics as far apart as freedom and compassion, the role of women in society, and even attitudes to Judaism. Each chapter is well-designed around a particular issue, revealing how societies have mutated through history, how politics and power have changed the way the Bible is read, and how influences from disparate cultures have encouraged alternative interpretations.

Hot-button topics are included, alongside quieter discussion, in a book that’s consistently readable, well-researched and never dogmatic. The author doesn’t take sides in his subjects, but rather convincingly presents the dilemmae of opposing sides. He does a great job of inviting the reader to deduce at least something of the “original” meaning, and to question if today’s dogmatic fashions are true to the Word. I really enjoyed both the read and the challenge.

Disclosure: I’d dipped into this book before, but this time I read it through from beginning to end and loved it.

[Cyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

A historian looks at how various groups have altered the original message of Jesus--not only in our current times, but almost from the very first group of Jesus's followers. A good reminder that even the Bible itself interprets Jesus from the perspective of its multiple authors.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the last book I read in 2021, and it is one I have been meaning to read for several years. Griffith gives a very accessible overview of the way Christian thought has changed, evolved, and molded itself in relation to more secular concerns over time. I found it very resonant, especially in light of what some current political leaders, evangelists, and some of my own family members are saying about what "good Christians" should think about political and moral issues of the day. I find it encouraging that Christians throughout history have had to contend with similar thoughts, distortions, and cherry-picking of Bible verses for justifications as we do today.

[Dustin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brian is engaging and well studied. This is a book that doesn't insult faith. Brian Griffith isn't going to argue about God. What he seeks to do is challenge the thought Christianity is the same today is it was in the time of the apostles. Frankly, I couldn't stop reading.

This is about men (and women) who have changed Christianity from a religion of compassion, non-violence, equality, and freedom, to one in which we view charity as a problem, violence as a solution, equality between men and women suspect, and the idea of limited freedom.

[Howard · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has a lot of interesting perspectives on the way Jesus' message changed from his time here, through the present. With a number of examples from Gnostic gospels, the book was still far weaker than, say, anything by Elaine Pagels. The best thing was that I read it at the same time as "Killing Jesus," and was able to enjoy some parallels and divergences.

[Gabriel Wilensky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent so far. A must-read for anyone interested in understanding how the teachings of Christianity changed dramatically over time to meet the needs of the growing church, and considerably distancing itself from the original teachings of Jesus in the process.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This very thought provoking book discusses the origins of anti-semtism, misfortune as a punishment for sin, subjugation of women and other huge misappropriations of Jesus' message. It describes the centuries worth of misinterpretations that have led to very real errors and disasters in the church.

[J.T.K. Gibbs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clear, concise, without bias and informative! It gives me so much to think about! Griffith is a history person par excellence and knows how to communicate his subject without "taking sides." I will be reading and referring to this book again and again.

[Allan Savage]

A prolific reader of history, Griffiths presents a perspective on the Jesus story that is pregnant with significant detail – much of which is probably under-appreciated by the average person, believer and non-believer alike. (A glance at the pages of notes, the bibliography and the index shows the scope of the data upon which he bases this book.) He does not write to defend any religious perspective but critiques the expression of Christianity today in contrast to the understanding of the data given in the original revelation – or at least as close to that understanding as we can get. Authenticity in religious history is not a problem reserved to Christianity but it is common to all religions. To my mind, anyone interested in religious studies, the ordained and non-ordained, and professional theologians would profit from reading the perspective offered by Griffiths. The courageous, reader open to reforming his or her inherited understanding, will find motivation in Griffith’s research. The title notwithstanding, Griffith’s book is not negative, but is a critical and positive presentation of an orthodox understanding of contemporary Christianity. (Much of the content he presents had been contained in the Catholic theological syllabus which I studied in my seminary days shortly after Vatican II.) I have no hesitation in recommending this book to those “new” to religious thinking and those well-acquainted with the Christian tradition.

[Jess Smoll · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite simply one of the best historical theology texts I've read in a long, long time. Highly recommended to anyone with an interest in Christianity.

[Geoff · Rating 4 out of 5]

very interesting read. i think anyone who is religious, no matter what religion you follow, would find this interesting.

[David Ward · Rating 3 out of 5]

Correcting Jesus: 2000 Years of Changing the Story by Brian Griffith (Exterminating Angel Press 2009) (232.9) (3913).

Any reader who goes to the trouble to find a copy of this title is a seeker after knowledge and truth. This volume will appeal specifically to those who realize that one can question faith and belief without invalidating the underlying premises.

Philosophy and religion hold no great fascination for this reader, but as the son and grandson of ministers, I was thoroughly indoctrinated into the Protestant fold at an early age. I believe that, while religious dogma may well be divinely inspired, the filters and the particular interpretations adopted by a declaiming pontificant will always serve the declaimant’s own personal interests - even while claiming that the words invoked are God’s own special truth.

It is obvious that author Brian Griffith has spent uncounted hours in contemplation of this book’s premise. It would be the height of religious arrogance on my part to take exception to a reasonable argument about which I have no special knowledge or insight.

What I do know after reading this is that the author makes mind-boggling assertions upon which I am not qualified by training or by inclination to pass judgment. I note that the author’s citations to authority are infrequent and seem to be haphazardly scattered throughout these pages. I would have found the author’s arguments more convincing if either his CV or his citations more clearly demonstrated academic rigor instead of well-considered opinion.

I own a used PB copy which I purchased in good condition from Amazon for $5.64 on 10/5/23.

My rating: 7/10, finished 2/4/24 (3913).

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