Holy Fable IV
Holy Fable IV
“In these essays, Price surprises with a wealth of fresh perspectives: biographical, exegetical, philosophical, theological, religious-historical and -critical in a diverse mixture. In the volatile field of atheism and faitheism, Price succeeds in capturing the unbelieving and believing readers equal”
—Tim Rice, lyricist, Jesus Christ Superstar
About the Book
In this fourth volume of Robert M. Price's celebrated Holy Fable series, he turns his critical lens away from the Bible and toward a broader range of scriptural works that were written, or rediscovered, in modern times. Employing the same sympathetic but eagle-eyed treatment that defined past volumes, he offers in-depth analysis of the Joseph Smith–penned Book of Mormon; the long-sealed Gospel according to Thomas; the New Age Jesus of the Aquarian Gospel; the H. P. Lovecraft–invented Necronomicon; and the Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar. With his trademark scholarship and wit, he demonstrates how and why this eclectic mix of contemporary scriptural work provides genuine spiritual inspiration to a colorful variety of religious groups and seekers today.
About the Author
Robert M. Price holds PhDs in systematic theology and the New Testament from Drew University. He is the author of numerous books, including The Incredible Shrinking Son of Man: How Reliable Is the Gospel Tradition and has written his own translation of the New Testament. He's also written about the historicity of Moses, the nuances and problems of Christian theology, and, most notably, the question of a historical Jesus.
Details
ISBN: 9781634312042
Format: paperback
SRP: $30.00
Page count: 672 pages
Trim size: 6 x 9
Pub date: April 2020
More Praise
“Robert Price’s Holy Fable series is a triumph for biblical studies, freethought, and even cultural criticism. This latest volume picks up with a Jehovah vengeance. The in-depth chapter on the Gospel of Thomas alone is worth the price of admission. An enlightening and highly recommended read!”
—Miguel O’Connor, Host, Aeon Byte podcast“With scholarly insight and brilliant wit, Robert Price assesses the place of Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon in the tradition of great pseudepigraphic literature of western religion. He demonstrates in detail how Joseph Smith as prophet and poet used the Bible to create a narrative that interprets the American experience.”
—Mark D. Thomas, Founder, Book of Mormon Roundtable“Robert M. Price is one of the wise and witty elders of the Lovecraftian tribe. His contributions as editor and writer are too numerous to list. Factor in his scholarly background, and it is clear that no one – or at least no one still sane! – is more qualified to tell us what Abdul Alhazred’s infamous writings really meant.”
—Darrell Schweitzer, Critic, short story writer, anthologist, author of The Dream Quest of H.P. Lovecraft“Who other than Robert M. Price could so astutely — and entertainingly — address this topic? Not only is Price an eminent biblical scholar, but too his range of all things religious is unparalleled. And by “all things religious,” I mean heresies and hoaxes, as well as the predominant worldwide systems of spirituality and thought. In addition, his expertise stretches from the historical to the contemporary. It takes a discerning eye to appreciate the substructure of The Aquarian Gospel of Jesus the Christ. Frankly, I found Price’s insights downright charming! Not some pseudo-new-age guru, Levi Dowling was, as Price sees him, deeply versed in the gospels. Hence, as Dowling was writing for the imminent Age of Aquarius, he reinterpreted the gospels through the lenses of rationalism, reincarnationism and New Thought. While dismissing The Aquarian Gospel’s claims of heavenly origin, Price nevertheless displays his admiration and respect for Dowling’s scholarship. Such a delightful mix of enthusiastic esteem and factual scrutiny is exactly what makes this work of Robert M. Price so appealing.”
—Catherine Groves, Editor, Christian*New Age Quarterly
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