FROM OUR EDITORS

Did Jesus Christ really say all the things the Bible says he said? Stephen Mitchell, a well-known authority on religion and spirituality, gives the reader his perspective on the words atttibuted to Christ -- and how their meaning deeply affects we way we lead our lives.

ANNOTATION

Presents an account of the life of Jesus, using what the author considers to be the most authentic sources.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

"The book you are about to read is a portrait of one of the most beautiful men who ever lived. He himself would probably not have considered himself beautiful or even special. He would have said that we are all beautiful, we are all special, because — and he did say this — we are all children of God. . . ."

"When you're able to look inside yourself deeply, you'll find that the teacher who taught Jesus will teach you."

About the AuthorStephen Mitchell attended Amherst, the University of Paris, and Yale. His many books include The Book of Job, Tao Te Ching, Parables and Portraits, The Gospel According to Jesus, A Book of Psalms, Ahead of All Parting: The Selected Poetry and Prose of Rainer Maria Rilke, and Genesis.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

Mitchell taps into the questions of truth and faith so central to adolescence with this adaptation of his 1991 adult book, The Gospel According to Jesus. While his thesis that only some of the stories and only some of the sayings attributed to Jesus in the Gospels are authentic will certainly engender discussion, readers from various traditions will identify with his doubts and his quests for answers. As a Jewish nine-year-old at a Protestant boarding school, the author recalls in his intimate introduction, he "didn't feel it was right to recite the [Lord's Prayer]," until an influential teacher told him that "the words of Jesus are for all people." This idea threads its way throughout the volume, as Mitchell draws parallels between Jesus and Buddha, Lao-Tzu and Sufi and Zen masters. The author's continuing struggle with biblical accounts of Jesus ("I didn't know if I believed the miracle stories, the walking on water, the loaves and fishes.... What I loved was his kindness and the beauty of his words and feelings") led him to bring modern textual scholarship and his "spiritual intuition" to scrutinizing the Gospels for accuracy. The faithful will be relieved to see The Prodigal Son and The Good Samaritan touted as "deservedly the most famous and beloved of Jesus' parables"; the story of his death, however, seems somewhat glossed over here, and Mitchell goes so far as to call the Resurrection a "legend." Nevertheless, he treats his audience as intelligent individuals capable of coming to their own conclusions. By discussing his process, he models for readers the tools with which to begin an examination of their own beliefs and encourages seekers along their own paths. Ages 12-up. (Apr.) Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

Children's Literature - Jeanne K. Pettenati, J.D.

The author calls Jesus "one of the most beautiful men who ever lived." Chapter by chapter, he explains to readers who he believes Jesus was: a man, a healer, and a teacher. The author does not believe that Jesus was the Son of God in the "Christian" sense. He is clear about this in his introduction to the book: "Many people from traditional Christian backgrounds may find this book shocking and offensive." The author asserts that many words attributed to Jesus in the Gospels are inconsistent with the "real" Jesus and, therefore, false. His assertions are thought provoking, and certain to spark criticism among readers who believe otherwise. The author explains how he came to his own spiritual enlightenment and why the topic of Jesus' life compelled him to write a book. He encourages young people of all denominations to study the life of Jesus as one path to their own spiritual destiny. The text is well-written and easy to read; it simplifies many passages from the New Testament. The author includes a notes section at the back of the book for readers, parents, teachers and librarians. This section offers clarification from other sources for the author's opinions. 2003, Harper Tempest/HarperCollins, Ages 12 up.

VOYA - Allan O'Grady Cuseo

An eminent scholar and translator, Mitchell is well known for his exciting translations of Tao Te Ching (HarperCollins, 1988) and Bhagavad Gita (Harmony Books, 2000). Here he attempts to uncover the authentic sayings and doings of Jesus. Following the example of Thomas Jefferson's The Jefferson Bible, he provides unique insights into Jesus-the man, his actions, miracles, and words. Examining commonly held beliefs such as whether the title "Son of God" was exclusive to Jesus (no); whether Jesus healed with miracles (heal yes, miracles no); and whether the Resurrection and Christmas stories happened (no-legendary and made up by followers), Mitchell admits his book will shock and offend many. He tells the reader, immediately, that he loves Jesus but does not believe what most churches say about him. Based on his previously published adult title, The Gospel According to Jesus (HarperCollins, 1991), this book and his suppositions will excite and upset many in a similar fashion. He gives the reader much to ponder, and one cannot argue his credentials. Mitchell informs readers that Jesus is not a divine being, "born of a virgin mother, surrounded by angels and wise men... Jesus was born in the same way as you or I." Followers of the Jesus Seminar and titles by Marcus Borg and John Shelby Spong will want to read this discourse. Others will be furious and label the title blasphemous. Teens should read it and come to their own conclusions. VOYA CODES: 5Q 2P S (Hard to imagine it being any better written; For the YA with a special interest in the subject; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12). 2002, HarperCollins, 176p,

KLIATT - Claire Rosser

Mitchell wrote this for young people, basing it on his book for adults, The Gospel According to Jesus, which came out about 10 years ago. As he says in his introduction, "Many people from traditional Christian backgrounds may find this book shocking and offensive." Stephen Mitchell is a scholar and has written extensively on religions of the world. His own spiritual journey has taken him from Reform Judaism to Zen Buddhism; he has translated spiritual texts from various religious traditions. He loves Jesus, as he loves the Buddha and other great spiritual teachers, and he presents Jesus' life from translations of the New Testament Gospels. Like Thomas Jefferson (The Jefferson Bible) before him, he has omitted passages that he feels are not consistent with the enlightened teacher of most of the Gospel stories. By using stories of Jesus' life, how he healed people, what he said, Mitchell succeeds in presenting a highly attractive portrait of an enlightened teacher. Mitchell uses stories about Jesus' life and his death (from the Scriptures), and he tells the main parables, including the favorite stories of the Prodigal Son and The Good Samaritan. He repeats the Sermon on the Mount and other teachings of Jesus found in the Gospels. While he is right that many Christians might be offended by his belief that Jesus is not divine, that he was illegitimate (and in fact largely rejected by his own family during his ministry), that he did not return from the dead, it is also true that anyone interested in Jesus will be drawn to the essence of Jesus' charisma as described by Mitchell. Non-Christians will understand Jesus' teachings from Mitchell's presentation of the essential stories from theGospels. KLIATT Codes: JS￯﾿ﾽRecommended for junior and senior high school students. 2002, HarperCollins, Tempest, 145p. notes.,

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