Thomas Jefferson's Cut-and-Paste Bible

Wall Street Journal ^ | 25 March 2011 | Stephen Prothero

[Cronos]

This coming November, the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History will exhibit a cut-and-paste Bible of a mere 86 pages. Were it the work of David Wojnarowicz (the artist behind the crucifix video) or Andres Serrano (of "Piss Christ" fame), this Bible would doubtless stir up a hornet's nest. But in fact, it was created by Thomas Jefferson.

During the election of 1800, Jefferson was denounced as a "howling atheist" and "a confirmed infidel" known for "vilifying the divine word, and preaching insurrection against God." But the Virginian also revered Jesus as "the first of human Sages" and was, according to one biographer, "the most self-consciously theological of all American presidents."

The book that the Smithsonian is preparing to put on display is actually one of two Jefferson Bibles. Jefferson produced the first over the course of a few days in 1804. Not long after completing the Louisiana Purchase, he sat down in the White House with two Bibles and one razor, intent on dividing the true words of Jesus from those put into his mouth by "the corruptions of schismatising followers."

The result was "The Philosophy of Jesus of Nazareth": a severely abridged text (now lost) that, like the apocryphal Gospel of Thomas, consisted entirely of Jesus' sayings. In this "precious morsel of ethics," as Jefferson put it, Jesus prayed to God and affirmed the afterlife, but he was not born in a manger and did not die to atone for anyone's sins.

... Jefferson claimed in a letter to a friend that it demonstrated his bona fides as a Christian. "It is a document in proof that I am a real Christian, that is to say, a disciple of the doctrines of Jesus."

[sueuprising]

Martha Washington detested Jefferson on the basis of his heretical opinions. Of course, so did the Adamses. They connected Jefferson’s atheism with that of the French. During the latter part of the 18th century when war with France was looming, the American public believed that the French would forced secularism and atheism down their throats. War was avoided, but what is interesting is despite Jefferson’s reputation in the inner circle as a man with no religion and an enemey to Christianity, he won the 1800 election. I suppose the voting public considered him a friend of the common man more than they did Adams, and winced over his unorthodox beliefs or simply had not heard of them. Jefferson had better PR I think.

[knarf]

I'm beginning to see a lot of articles here in FR that really don't add to an intelligent consideration except to get people to question their own cores.

Look at how that chaz entity has suddenly gotten millions of miles of advertising.

For what?

To get people thinking and talking.

"Barack knows we've got to change the language ... "

[WackySam]

They connected Jefferson’s atheism with that of the French

Jefferson was not an atheist.

[DJ MacWoW]

Jefferson was no atheist.

On July 4, 1776, Congress appointed Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams "to bring in a device for a seal for the United States of America." Franklin's proposal adapted the biblical story of the parting of the Red Sea . Jefferson first recommended the "Children of Israel in the Wilderness, led by a Cloud by Day, and a Pillar of Fire by night. . . ." He then embraced Franklin's proposal and rewrote it. Jefferson's revision of Franklin's proposal was presented by the committee to Congress on August 20. Although not accepted these drafts reveal the religious temper of the Revolutionary period. Franklin and Jefferson were among the most theologically liberal of the Founders, yet they used biblical imagery for this important task.

[awelliott]

Not really, it does require explanation For instance -- if one says that the bits that Jefferson cut out were/are fiction, then on what basis does one say the ones left in are not fiction? Secondly -- even Josephus confirms the stories of the spread of Early Christians -- how can one call that fiction? Thirdly -- if one says that the Resurrection etc is fiction, then how does one justify this 2000 or 1800 years after the event? What special knowledge does this person centuries after the event have that the people from the 1st century who witnessed this did not have?

Agreed.

Fourth -- if one rejects Jesus' miracles and resurrection as fiction, then how does one account for the well-documented subsequent actions of his disciples? At His arrest and crucifixion, they were disorganized and demoralized, even denying Him with curses when accused of being followers. Suddenly, they boldly carried His Word to a hostile world, suffering deprivation and persecution - all of them (with the probable exception of John) being executed for their beliefs and refusal to deny that Jesus is the Christ.

What, short of an empty tomb, could be the motivation for such a change?

[sueuprising]

Martha Washington detested Jefferson on the basis of his heretical opinions. Of course, so did the Adamses. They connected Jefferson’s atheism with that of the French. During the latter part of the 18th century when war with France was looming, the American public believed that the French would forced secularism and atheism down their throats. War was avoided, but what is interesting is despite Jefferson’s reputation in the inner circle as a man with no religion and an enemey to Christianity, he won the 1800 election. I suppose the voting public considered him a friend of the common man more than they did Adams, and winced over his unorthodox beliefs or simply had not heard of them. Jefferson had better PR I think.

[JSDude1]

Too bad-if only T. Jefferson had repented and come to faith in Christ (only God knows maybe he did) he’d be in heaven, he may have been a founding father, but he was blasphemous. J.S.

[JSDude1]

Jesus is the only way (and He CAN save you) if you ask Him.

[SMARTY]

The French Revolution began as a Peoples’ movement. It then became what ALL revolutions become...a Fascist tyranny. (The jury is out right now on America.)

Napoleon I, as First Counsel and then as Emperor of the French, got, wielded and abused more absolute power than any Bourbon monarch EVER dreamed of.

It the classic, textbook blueprint on how radical populism devolves...beginning with impossibly idealistic and narcissistic prigs like Robespierre and ending with selfish, drunk-on-power megalomaniacs like Napoleon I. Oceans of blood have not diminished the horror of what these monsters visited upon humanity.

Radical populism, advocating the welfare of the ‘People’ (always with a capital “P”) and any demagogue hawking this drivel ought ALWAYS and EVER to be avoided like poison. (Sound like anyone we know?). The welfare of the ‘people’ is their least concern. Beware!!!

“The welfare of the people in particular has always been the alibi of tyrants. “ Albert Camus

[NavyCanDo]

“Jefferson was not an atheist.”

There is a lot of gullible people, even here on Free Republic that fall hook line and sinker for the “Jefferson was an atheist lie”. David Barton a truly gifted historian pointed out very clearly on the Glenn Beck TV show, that he was not an atheist, and that the founding Fathers were far more religious than what is commonly believed.

[Cheburashka]

They connected Jefferson’s atheism with that of the French

Jefferson was not an atheist.

---

He wasn't a Christian. And the French Revolutionary state that he so identified with was as anti-Christian as any Marxist state.

[JSDude1]

The “wisdom” of this world God calls foolishness..even the so called wisdom of T. Jefferson really isn’t- it is foolishness, not comparable at ALL to what God did for us through His Son, Jesus Christ!! J.S.

[NELSON111]

You are correct...and that is why he was joined by one "Lawrence Russell Brewer" yesterday evening. Founding Father or not...Great man or not...he still rejected the fundementals of the Christian Faith...and thus SAVING faith.

Troy Davis? I have no idea if he ever repented or not. If he was guilty and kept claiming his innocence...then it sounds like a no. I do know that a lot of Freepers, even those who are Christians, are mixed up when it comes to salvation. They forget there was a thief on a Cross next to Christ...who joined him in Paradise that day because of a repentant heart.

[bremenboy]

The only thing I would agree with from the article is (he was not born in a manger) that statement is true. Jesus was born in a barn and laid in a manger. Mary would have to be very very small to give birth in a manger. I have heard too many people say he was born in a manger. They are so silly

[Forward the Light Brigade]

The book needs to be re-printed and offered for sale so that people can read it and judge what old TJ was up too. Was it a true and honest attempt to seek truth or a Satanic scam? It should be studied—

[Cronos]

Yes, got these links from a fellow freeper --> http://www.loc.gov/loc/lcib/9806/danbury.html and http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/religion/religion.html

[nonsporting]

It's misleading of Stephen Prothero (professor of religion at Boston University) to call Jefferson's book a "Bible". The author says: "To readers familiar with the New Testament, this Jefferson Bible, as it is popularly called, begins and ends abruptly." Popularly called by whom? (atheist religion professors) I own a copy: it's a collections of sayings of Jesus. It's never represented as a "Bible."

This same author says:

But we craft new Bibles too, from the Book of Mormon of the Latter-day Saints to the Christian Scientists' "Science and Health with a Key to the Scriptures" and Elizabeth Cady Stanton's "Woman's Bible." Jefferson was out in front of all of these efforts. Here, too, he was a declarer of independence.

These are not Bibles, "new" or otherwise. I bet he'd call this a "Bible":

[sueuprising]

“Jefferson was not an atheist.”
Jefferson was not an orthodox Christian in any sense which is what they were comparing him to. The Adamses, along with a good deal of Americans, considered the French, atheists. Because Jefferson seemed so pro-French there was a rumor that one would have to lock up the Family Bible if Jefferson were to become President! Evidently, he was able to convince the majority of voters that he was not an enemy to Christianity, and won the election.

[sueuprising]

Biblical imagery was readily used in past centuries to illustrate points, because most people were Biblically literate unlike today. Jefferson did believe that the Indians might be a lost tribe of Israel which was a popular assumption. He was not a Christian, although he like nearly every politician including Franklin thought that the morals and values inherent in the Christian religion were essential to maintain in the new nation. He was not a religious man by any means, but an interesting one nonetheless.

[DJ MacWoW]

He was not a Christian,

It never ceases to amaze me that people 200 years later still buy the political rhetoric of the Federalists. Proof that political smears are effective.

Have a joyous day!