William Neil (1909–1979)

Neil does a reasonable analysis of the Old Testament from an enlightened Christian perspective. That is to say, he acknowledges the mythological underpinnings of Genesis and the probable "oral history" origins of many of the books of the Old Testament while defending their usefulness as a moral guide in today's world.

The Publishers point out that whatever words were spoken, and years later committed to writing, the words of Jesus were often misunderstood and misinterpreted. When Jesus "taught in the synagogue at Capernaum" many of his disciples left him, saying "These are hard teachings, who can hear them?" [John 6:60, .66].

Among the beloved "I am" sayings cited in the Fourth and last Gospel, John repeatedly has Jesus describing himself as "bread". However, John is the only Gospel which omits any show more Eucharist--replacing the breaking of bread with washing of feet. [John 13:14]

Other difficulties are with instructions which turn the world upside-down and even twist morality. Telling the rich to "sell everything" and give to the poor, or "cut off an offending hand". The Publisher asks "Does [Jesus] not understand the weakness of the human nature he came to redeem?" [8] {John 12:47 "I came not to judge the world, but to save the world."}

Or the sayings that seem callous and cruel. Cutting off family relations, for example, and praising the astuteness of the worldly, conniving, scoundrels. And the threat that "the one who has will be given more, and the one who has not will forfeit even what he has". [8]

And how about the way Jesus drew upon the "stumbling block" theme of the Judaic Prophets {Isaiah 57:14, Ezek 3:20] to insist that it is "from the Jews" that salvation comes. [8] {St Paul famously tries to re-interpret this against the Jews, in his description of the cross as the "stumbling block of the Jews" 1 Cor 1:23.}

The Publishers address, in detail, such ideas as "peace through strife", reconciliation without retaliation, the idea of faith as a power, warfare, unforgivable Sin [slander of others 33], our True Selves, sexual ethics, church and state relations, efficacy of Prayer, and Life After Death. The answers found in the words drawn from the Gospels are surprising.

For example, the Publishers join the author of Book of Job in showing that the author of that book and the teachings of Jesus "do not embark on any attempt to give an answer in terms of philosophy to the problem of pain". [93] Both Job and Jesus repeatedly teach against the idea that pain is punishment or that prosperity is reward. [Citing Book of Job for the question 'Why do innocent people suffer?', Ezekiel 18:4, and Luke 13:1-5.] Yet to this day, do we not cling to this hope to prosper our righteous and cripple the evil-doers? And it rarely happens! show less

Excellent little book, first published 1954 and obviously not entirely up to date in terms of archaelogical finds, Bible research etc, but eminently readable and a useful tour d'horizon.

The whole Bible written as a story, with illustrations.