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Jefferson Bible

SOURCE: Christianity Today
12/4/2020

Thomas Jefferson Tried to ‘Fix’ the Bible. He Only Succeeded in Making It Sad (Review)

A reviewer of Peter Manseau's new book "The Jefferson Bible" finds it a valuable account of Jefferson's position in the conflict between religious orthodoxy and freedom of conscience and belief, but was less impressed with TJ's editing job, which produced a joyless text.

SOURCE: Smithsonian
9/8/2020

Why Thomas Jefferson Created His Own Bible

by Peter Manseau

The "Jefferson Bible," representing Thomas Jefferson's efforts to excise the supernatural and miraculous from the New Testament, is an important document of American religious culture. The story of its preservation by Cyrus Adler and John Fletcher Lacey is a remarkable tale as well that reflects changes in the political nature of American religion.

SOURCE: Washington Post
8/13/2020

We Can Tear Down False Idols of History. Thomas Jefferson Did it to Jesus Christ

by Peter Manseau

"Considering “The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth” anew today, we might begin by asking whether Jefferson’s willingness to challenge convention gives the lie to a justification of his many failings as unavoidable for a man of his time."