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The Discussion

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  • Brian Springer June 24th, 2011 at 3:54 PM #1

    Thom Stark’s, “The Human Faces of God” is a book that deserves a wide readership. Although this book may appear slim, it packs quiet a punch and manages to get a lot done in a short amount of space. It is in part a summary of the current state of affairs in modern biblical scholarship, a rebuttal against biblical inerrancy, and a moving testimony of a man who has spent a lot of time evaluating the scripture that he loves and coming to terms with it on its own grounds.
    Many Christians may feel threatened by Thom’s new book, but as a devout Roman Catholic, let me tell you that Thom’s book is anything but threatening. Although the title may appear provocative this book is not an attack on biblical values and Thom does well to critique the ‘ugly’ part of our holy scriptures on it’s own ground, by using the values he derived from it. He moves through the many portraits of God as presented in the Biblical text and sensitively notes how some of them have been used to enact despicable acts of cruelty and violence against those we don‘t particularly like. While he does this, he also engages in dialogue with many apologist, both old and new, and criticizes their efforts to explain away some of the more horrifying passages in the Bible. His honesty in doing so is very refreshing and I commend his efforts in showing just how far inerranist are willing to go to defend their positions, however dishonest they are.
    And speaking of inerrancy, Thom’s dialogue with it is worth this book’s weight in gold. Mr. Stark, convincingly shows that inerranist are far from being “loyal to the text“ as many of the new atheist would have you believe. Inerranist, as Thom demonstrates, often fail to realize just how diverse the biblical worldview is and far from being faithful to it, they tend impose their own interpretations of scripture [as they think it should be] onto the text itself and twist everything that says otherwise to conform to their own worldview. The Bible deserves better and toward the end Thom sits back and thoughtful considers what to make of scripture, now that he seems just how human and fallible it is in some places. His answer will surprise many, but it’s worth being heard.
    Overall, Thom Stark’s, “The Human Faces of God” is an excellent book. It’s short, easy to read, and accessible. It honestly presents the findings of modern biblical scholarship in a understandable way, and it gives us a worthy alternative to fundamentalism. So, buy it, read it, and be amazed.

    5/5 stars

  • Fletcher Warren December 2nd, 2013 at 9:58 PM #2

    Hi Thom,

    This is a fantastic book. I came to it as an Evangelical-turned-Anglican trying to figure out how to discard the anti-intellectualism and close-mindedness of my upbringing by engaging with the questions I’d always had (and never had answered) within evangelicalism. In this regard, the book was entirely successful.

    I only have one question, and I doubt it’s been asked before. What is the image on the book cover? It looks like Byzantine art?

    Thanks!

    Fletcher

  • Ken Francis October 28th, 2015 at 12:14 PM #3

    I am reading the soft cover version of your book published by WIPF & Stock, Eugene, Oregon. On page 42, under heading of: ” Angels Don’t Go there “; 2nd paragraph – ” In every case, the term ‘ sons of God ‘ refers to celestial beings ( angels, [parenthesis mine] ). On page 73, under heading ” Yahweh’s Inheritance “; 3rd paragraph – ” First, the phrase ‘ sons of God ‘ does not mean angels ( celestial beings, [parenthesis mine] ) Can you help me? Which one is it?

  • Thom October 28th, 2015 at 12:56 PM #4

    You’re seeing a contradiction where there is none. Celestial beings is a broader term than angels. It means beings that live in the heavens. Deities, etc. Jesus identified them as angels, but this was well after the turn to monotheism.

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