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John McChesney-Young

jmccyoung@bookwyrm.social

Joined 2 years, 6 months ago

Theology, fantasy and science fiction, science, history, classics, general bibliophile

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Luke Timothy Johnson: The Real Jesus  (Paperback, HarperOne) No rating

The first part of the book is composed of pointed and (to me) cogent criticism of the Jesus Seminar and their way of approaching early Christianity. The second part presents Johnson's positive alternative and includes an excellent explanation for why the resurrection is not "historical": it's not at all that it's didn't happen, but that by his definition history is purely naturalistic and the supernatural nature of the resurrection therefore puts it outside the bounds of history. I was very glad to have been pointed toward this book by Fleming Rutledge's Crucifixion, which I also recommend.

Katherine Stewart: Money, Lies, and God (2025, Bloomsbury Publishing Plc) No rating

Why have so many Americans turned against democracy? In this deeply reported book, Katherine Stewart …

Well-written survey of the efforts of the New Right to destroy democracy. I appreciated in particular that the author includes a chapter devoted to the UK and other parts of Europe. It's got a torrent of names and organizations, so take it slowly if the subject is largely new to you.