Robert Miller's book, Born Divine, is a nice study book for Advent and Chistmas. http://www.westarinstitute.org/Polebridge/Title/Born_Divine/born_divine.html
Here is a description of the book:
"In this compelling study of the birth and infancy of Jesus, Robert Miller separates fact from fiction in the gospel narratives and relates them to stories about the miraculous births of Israelite heroes and of Greek and Roman sons of God. Born Divine analyzes the Christian claim that the birth and childhood of Jesus fulfilled Old Testament prophecies. The historical and theological dimensions of the virgin birth tradition are discussed with honesty and insight. This wide-ranging book also presents additional infancy gospels from the second century through the Middle Ages."
Here is an exerpt:
" The belief that the prophets were pointing to Jesus, though perhaps helpful at the time Matthew wrote his gospel, has long since outlived its usefulness. It is a belief that distorts the scriptures and has had ugly consequences in history. Out of respect for Judaism and for the Bible, therefore, I propose that Christians have an intellectual and moral duty to abandon this obsolete, self-serving, and dangerous belief. What do you think?"
Robert Miller's "Born Divine: The Birth of Jesus and Other Sons of God" is an excellent Advent study book.
Robert Miller's book, Born Divine, is a nice study book for Advent and Chistmas. http://www.westarinstitute.org/Polebridge/Title/Born_Divine/born_divine.html
ReplyDeleteHere is a description of the book:
"In this compelling study of the birth and infancy of Jesus, Robert Miller separates fact from fiction in the gospel narratives and relates them to stories about the miraculous births of Israelite heroes and of Greek and Roman sons of God. Born Divine analyzes the Christian claim that the birth and childhood of Jesus fulfilled Old Testament prophecies. The historical and theological dimensions of the virgin birth tradition are discussed with honesty and insight. This wide-ranging book also presents additional infancy gospels from the second century through the Middle Ages."
Here is an exerpt:
" The belief that the prophets were pointing to Jesus, though perhaps helpful at the time Matthew wrote his gospel, has long since outlived its usefulness. It is a belief that distorts the scriptures and has had ugly consequences in history. Out of respect for Judaism and for the Bible, therefore, I propose that Christians have an intellectual and moral duty to abandon this obsolete, self-serving, and dangerous belief. What do you think?"
Robert Miller's "Born Divine: The Birth of Jesus and Other Sons of God" is an excellent Advent study book.
John