Book of the Month - April
a scandalous beauty
Thomas Schmidt - ISBN: 9781587430176 - 2002
Author:
Thomas Schmidt has served as a professor at both religious and secular institutions. When the book was published he was the director of the Westminister Institute. According to Wipfandstock.com, he received his Ph.D. from Cambridge. He also currently lives in Vermont where he also teaches.
Brief Synopsis:
The book, a scandalous beauty, reads a little differently from most books. Thomas Schmidt wrote each chapter as a standalone easy. This fact means you can jump into the book at any point. From the first chapter on the Christian 4 letter word to the chapter on death and power, each essay holds truth and not one chapter disappoints the reader. Schmidt uses imagination mixed with a little bit of sarcasm for the chapter where Jesus goes to therapy. Schmidt’s vivid prose and historical knowledge combine to address Mark’s recounting of the crucifixion in comparison to the Roman procession for the Emperor. He finishes the book with an exploration of eternity and “God’s restoration of order from human chaos and rebellion.”
Insights:
“What Luck. To end up on death row the very day that the person in the cell next to you happens to be the Savior of the world. Don’t you think the thief on the cross was the one thief in the world who would benefit from being at that place at that moment?” - pg. 15
“Psychiatrist: When did you begin to sense confusion and hostility from people, and how did that make you feel?
Jesus: It wasn’t the common people who objected; it was the religious leaders. They wanted to please God by making and following perfect rules. AS soon as I began to teach and to heal, they believed that I was breaking their rules and offending God.” - pg. 54
“God save us from communion bread disguised by silver platters and lace doilies. We eat raw chunks of him together, or we die alone. The words of Jesus (eat my flesh and drink my blood) and the thoughts behind them are too grisly and too deep and too unsafe for a disciple to invent. Jesus clearly thought that people could only thrive in this life if they joined together continually for this relentless absorption of him, piece by piece.” - pg. 98
Should I read it or skip it?
Dr. Ken Huggins taught me most of what I know about the New Testament. He taught Survey of the New Testament at the Logsdon Seminary extension campus I attended. On a whim, he recommended this book to our class. Ever since he told us about it, this book landed and stays on my every Easter Read list. I love the essay format which means I don’t have to read every chapter every year. The scholarship and the broadness of the topics make this book one I hand out copies to people I love as Easter gifts. This book is definitely a must-read.
