Theo Todman's Book Collection (Book-Paper Abstracts)

Back Cover Blurb

• Are Christians deluding themselves when they speak of freedom and peace? Is such language credible on their lips? The record is hardly impressive, for Christian oppression begins in the New Testament. Imperious commands are backed up by specious promises and a dislike of other people. Often the tone is vindictive.
• Such authority demands critical examination. This book sheds new light on the pursuit of power in Paul and Mark and asks how that power is used. Paul's letters provide the starting point, because his self-assertion is explicit. He cannot resist manipulating his audience. He resorts to devious strategies of control. Yet the same man speaks of love and freedom, and begins to face their disturbing implications. This contradiction recurs in Mark's more reticent gospel, but his message of forgiveness gives freedom a Christian face. For us forgiveness is little more than a platitude. For Mark it becomes a subversive gospel, which demands secrecy and claimed its author’s death.
• The reader will see many things in the New Testament he might wish were not there. He may never see some things in the same way again.
• Graham Shaw is Chaplain of Exeter College, Oxford.