From Reverend Peter Gomes, a man whom Time magazine called one of the seven best preachers in America, here is a brilliant and inspiring look at the Bible today, and the ever-evolving role of the Good Book in American politics, culture, and in our own lives. With compassion, humor, and insight, Gomes shares timeless wisdom and comfort, helping readers reconcile the Bible with themselves and their world, and reclaim biblical interpretation from those who would misuse its passages to alienate and exclude.
Beginning with a bracing crash course in biblical literacy and interpretation, Gomes moves on to discuss what the Bible tells us about race, women, and homosexuality, and how some biblical passages are twisted in order to justify anti-Semitism. He explores what the Bible has to say about suffering, joy, evil, temptation, wealth, science, and mystery, and gives us the tools we need to make the Bible a dynamic, living, and transforming part of our daily lives. Finally, he shows us that the Good Book is not just doctrine and interpretation, but one of the most available and powerful means to bring us into proximity with the divine.
Excerpt taken from the front flap of the book.
Great for:
Anyone looking for a basic course in biblical interpretation, one that does not focus strictly on homosexuality but also deals with race, gender, and even anti-Semitism. This book will challenge how the Bible is traditionally read from many different angles, which contributes greatly to the discussion regarding homosexuality.