Christianity's Unknown Gospel

Christianity's Unknown Gospel permeates centuries of church doctrine and dogma, and focuses instead on the original message of Jesus with its covenant connections in the Old Testament. It speaks to the hearts of individuals whose faith questions are not fully satisfied by Christianity's traditional catechism responses. It addresses those who thirst for meaning beyond the literal level in Biblical texts and who hunger for treasures hidden in metaphor, poetry, parable, and miracle stories. It challenges those who dare to re-examine the traditional tenets of Christianity and who trust their Heavenly Father to strengthen their faith on this new journey. Christianity's Unknown Gospel provides theology professors, seminarians, pastors, students, and lay persons with exegetical study which will stimulate personal reflection, generate healthy debate, encourage further inquiry, and disclose fresh insights to its readers. An index provides ready access to specific texts for Bible study and preaching. Today Christianity is frequently mocked by the culture and the media. Church membership and attendance steadily decline, and denominations struggle to make the church more relevant, inclusive, and appealing. Yet when Jesus preached and taught, multitudes sought after him, their hearts burning within them because he spoke with authority. Christianity's Unknown Gospel raises questions not usually asked by the institutional church: What was Jesus message in his time prior to his death and resurrection? In what historical context did the people hear the message? Can the Christian church today resurrect Jesus message which names us as children of God, calls us into a life of sonship and service, and supports us daily with promises of life and freedom? Readers and reviewers will find it helpful to first read the book's prologue followed by the preface to each of its seven sections and the epilogue as an initial overview of the scope and contents.