tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1237087217187172116.post5043269919772317768..comments2024-03-28T10:44:30.518-06:00Comments on American Creation: The background behind the Jefferson BibleBrad Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17669677047039491864noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1237087217187172116.post-87987056736289726622011-06-22T19:44:50.130-06:002011-06-22T19:44:50.130-06:00I am referring to his rationalist rejection of mir...I am referring to his rationalist rejection of miracles and the like.<br /><br /> In the 20th century, most of us thought de-mythologizing was invented by the German higher critics. No so. All they invented was the word. Albert Schweitzer's interesting book, 'The Quest of the Historical Jesus' covers the 17th century published literature, particularly the Germans. It is a very interesting read, particularly in light of Jefferson's project.Danielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12165084874363214919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1237087217187172116.post-11254785784171881072011-06-22T17:11:52.767-06:002011-06-22T17:11:52.767-06:00Daniel,
Was the trend of Jefferson "libertari...Daniel,<br />Was the trend of Jefferson "libertarian" (little l)? or are you talking about "enlightenment" principles? scientific investigation (empiricism)....<br /><br />De-mythologizing the Bible was also done by German higher critics...Angie Van De Merwehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12617299120618867829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1237087217187172116.post-27075491324607460992011-06-22T16:39:52.472-06:002011-06-22T16:39:52.472-06:00Seems to me that projects like the "Jefferson...Seems to me that projects like the "Jefferson Bible" cast some interesting light on the thought of the age. Jefferson and many others were engaged in a project of demystification a couple centuries before anyone coined the term.<br /><br />Generally, they wanted to boil early Christianity down to its essence, which happily matched their preconceived rationalist notions. Almost no one was ready to throw out Christianity. But they were anxious to throw out what most Christians would see as essential to Christianity. If it were only Jefferson's personal foible, it would still be interesting, but trivial. But Jefferson was part of a very interesting trend.Danielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12165084874363214919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1237087217187172116.post-36489915416717595412011-06-22T15:15:10.430-06:002011-06-22T15:15:10.430-06:00I quite agree with Angie here. There was a univer...I quite agree with Angie here. There was a universal agreement on the existence and binding power of "natural law." Mileage on The Bible varies to a far greater degree.Tom Van Dykehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07121072404143877596noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1237087217187172116.post-64182626539325170832011-06-21T13:56:03.409-06:002011-06-21T13:56:03.409-06:00What is the point of understanding what or how Jef...What is the point of understanding what or how Jefferson understood the "Gospels', unless you are pointing out how Jefferson understood "natural law". "Natural law" understood that there was a "moral order" in/to the universe. This is how the Founders "sold" Providence. There are others that might disagree with him on the details of supernaturalism....and this is their right in our society, isn't it?Angie Van De Merwehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12617299120618867829noreply@blogger.com