Sign-In
Cart
How to Read the Bible and Still Be a Christian: Is God Violent? an Exploration from Genesis to Revelation
Audio Book
Bible StudiesGeneral Christianity
Currently unavailable to order
Please enter your email and a message will be sent to you when this product becomes available on our website.
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: Sep 16 2025
Weight: 0.13
Height: 0.61 Width: 5.21 Depth: 6.71
Language: English
The acclaimed Bible scholar and author of The Historical Jesus and God and Empire--the greatest New Testament scholar of our generation (John Shelby Spong) --grapples with Scripture's two conflicting visions of Jesus and God one of a loving God, and one of a vengeful God, and explains how Christians can better understand these passages in a way that enriches their faith
Many portions of the New Testament, introduce a compassionate Jesus who turns the other cheek, loves his enemies, and shows grace to all. But the Jesus we find in Revelation and some portions of the Gospels leads an army of angels bent on earthly destruction. Which is the true revelation of the Messiah--and how can both be in the same Bible?
How to Read the Bible and Still be a Christian explores this question and offers guidance for the faithful conflicted over which version of the Lord to worship. John Dominic Crossan reconciles these contrasting views, revealing how different writers of the books of the Bible not only possessed different visions of God but also different purposes for writing. Often these books are explicitly competing against another, opposing vision of God from the Bible itself.
Crossan explains how to navigate this debate and offers what he believes is the best central thread to what the Bible is all about. He challenges Christians to fully participate in this dialogue, thereby shaping their faith by reading deeply, reflectively, and in community with others who share their uncertainty. Only then, he advises, will Christians be able to read and understand the Bible without losing their faith.
2 different editions
Also available
How to Read the Bible and Still Be a Christian: Is God Violent? an Exploration from Genesis to Revelation
Crossan, John Dominic
Paperback
How to Read the Bible and Still Be a Christian: Is God Violent? an Exploration from Genesis to Revelation
Crossan, John Dominic
Audio Book
Also from
Crossan, John Dominic
Render Unto Caesar: The Struggle Over Christ and Culture in the New Testament
Crossan, John Dominic
Hardcover
The Last Week: What the Gospels Really Teach about Jesus's Final Days in Jerusalem
Crossan, John Dominic
Borg, Marcus J.
Paperback
The First Paul: Reclaiming the Radical Visionary Behind the Church's Conservative Icon
Borg, Marcus J.
Crossan, John Dominic
Paperback
The Greatest Prayer: Rediscovering the Revolutionary Message of the Lord's Prayer
Crossan, John Dominic
Paperback
Excavating Jesus: Beneath the Stones, Behind the Texts: Revised and Updated
Reed, Jonathan L.
Crossan, John Dominic
Paperback
The First Christmas: What the Gospels Really Teach about Jesus's Birth
Crossan, John Dominic
Borg, Marcus J.
Paperback
Who is Jesus?: Answers to Your Questions about the Historical Jesus
Crossan, John Dominic
Watts, Richard G.
Paperback
How to Read the Bible and Still Be a Christian: Is God Violent? an Exploration from Genesis to Revelation
Crossan, John Dominic
Audio Book
Also in
Bible Studies
The Early Versions of the New Testament: Their Origin, Transmission, and Limitations
Metzger, Bruce M.
Hardcover
The Apostle and the Empire: Paul's Implicit and Explicit Criticism of Rome
Heilig, Christoph
Hardcover
Render Unto Caesar: The Struggle Over Christ and Culture in the New Testament
Crossan, John Dominic
Hardcover
The Kabbalistic Mirror of Genesis: Commentary on the First Three Chapters
Smith, David Chaim
Paperback
Separation of Church and Hate: A Sane Person's Guide to Taking Back the Bible from Fundamentalists, Fascists, and Flock-Fleecing Frauds
Fugelsang, John
Hardcover
The King Is Coming Bible Study Guide Plus Streaming Video: It's Time to Prepare for the Return of Christ
Bevere, John
Paperback
The Jesus Discoveries: 10 Historic Finds That Bring Us Face-To-Face with Jesus
Johnston, Jeremiah J.
Paperback
The Divine Mercy Message and Devotion: With Selected Prayers from the Diary of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska
Michalenko, Seraphim
Paperback
Revelation: An Insightful Chapter-by-Chapter Journey Through the Book of Revelation
Dewaard, Erica
Paperback
Every Thought Captive Bible Study Guide Plus Streaming Video: How Renewing Your Mind Can Change Your Life
Idleman, Kyle
Paperback
The Case for Christ: A Journalist's Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus
Strobel, Lee
Paperback
The Promise of Heaven Bible Study Guide: Why You Can Get Excited about Your Eternal Home
Jeremiah, David
Paperback
The Beginner's Bible Study Guide: An Introduction to All 66 Books of the Bible
Trimble, Cameron
Paperback
Revelation: An Insightful Chapter-by-Chapter Journey Through the Book of Revelation
Dewaard, Erica
Hardcover
A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, Large Print Edition: Discovering God's Love for You (Large Print Edition)
Keller, W. Phillip
Paperback
Nothing Is Impossible with God: Eleven Heroes. One God. Endless Lessons in Overcoming.
Bream, Shannon
Hardcover
Praying the Names of God for 52 Weeks, Expanded Edition: A Year-Long Bible Study
Spangler, Ann
Paperback
Liturgies for Resisting Empire: Seeking Community, Belonging, and Peace in a Dehumanizing World
Armas, Kat
Paperback
The Meaning of Marriage Bible Study Guide Plus Streaming Video, Updated Edition: A Vision for Married and Single People
Keller, Timothy
Keller, Kathy
Paperback
Evidence That Demands a Verdict Bible Study Guide: Jesus and the Gospels
McDowell, Sean
McDowell, Josh
Paperback
Making Your Case for Christ Bible Study Guide: An Action Plan for Sharing What You Believe and Why
Mittelberg, Mark
Strobel, Lee
Paperback
Twelve Ordinary Men: How the Master Shaped His Disciples for Greatness, and What He Wants to Do with You
MacArthur, John F.
Paperback
Parables: The Mysteries of God's Kingdom Revealed Through the Stories Jesus Told
MacArthur, John F.
Paperback
Brain Games - Large Print Bible Word Search: The Words of Jesus
Publications International Ltd
Brain Games
Paperback
Bible Women: All Their Words and Why They Matter: Expanded Second Edition
Freeman, Lindsay Hardin
Paperback
No More Boring Bible Study: Why Taking Scripture Seriously Is Easier and More Exciting Than You Think
Womack, Faith
Paperback
Exploring Ezekiel: The Next Big War, Earth's Final Days, and Your Eternal Destination
Tsarfati, Amir
Paperback
Catholic Book of Prayers: Popular Catholic Prayers Arranged for Everyday Use (Large Print Edition)
Fitzgerald, Maurus
Paperback
The Wiersbe Bible Study Series: Philippians: Even When Things Go Wrong, You Can Have Joy
Wiersbe, Warren W.
Paperback
The Daily 5-Minute Bible Study for Women: 365 Focused, Encouraging Readings
Compiled by Barbour Staff
Paperback
The Last Book: What You Need to Know About Revelation, the Rapture, and the End Times
Kaddis, James
Hardcover
The Westminster Study Bible: New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition with the Deuterocanonical/Apocryphal Books
John Knox Press, Westminster
Hardcover
The Bible Recap: A One-Year Guide to Reading and Understanding the Entire Bible
Cobble, Tara-Leigh
Hardcover
Mysteries of the Messiah: Unveiling Divine Connections from Genesis to Today
Sobel, Rabbi Jason
Paperback
The Bible Says So: What We Get Right (and Wrong) about Scripture's Most Controversial Issues
McClellan, Dan
Hardcover
God, AI and the End of History: Understanding the Book of Revelation in an Age of Intelligent Machines
Lennox, John C.
Hardcover
30 Life Principles Bible Study: An Action Plan for Living the Principles Each Day
Stanley, Charles F.
Paperback
Believing Jesus: Are You Willing to Risk Everything? a Journey Through the Book of Acts
Harper, Lisa
Paperback
My Utmost for His Highest: Updated Language Paperback (a Daily Devotional with 366 Bible-Based Readings)
Chambers, Oswald
Paperback
Brain Games - Bible Crossword Puzzles: Prayers, Parables & Prophets - Large Print
Publications International Ltd
Brain Games
Paperback
The Circle Maker Bible Study Participant's Guide: Praying Circles Around Your Biggest Dreams and Greatest Fears
Batterson, Mark
Paperback
The Complete Ethiopian Bible in English: The 88 Books Canon Including The Book of Enoch, Jubilees, Meqabyan, Ancient Biblical Apocrypha and More Ortho
Various Ancient Authors
Hardcover
When God Doesn't Fix It Bible Study Guide: Learning to Walk in God's Plans Instead of Our Own
Story, Laura
Paperback
Grace Bible Study Participant's Guide: More Than We Deserve, Greater Than We Imagine
Lucado, Max
Paperback
Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Manners and Customs: How the People of the Bible Really Lived
Vos, Howard
Paperback
Considering Sparrows: What Birds Teach Us about Who We Are, Where We're Going, and the Joy of Following Jesus
Burrell, Kevin
Hardcover
30 Life Principles Bible Study Updated Edition: A 90-Day Action Plan for Living These Principles
Stanley, Charles F.
Paperback
Viviendo Su Voluntad: Cómo El Espíritu Santo Nos Guía a Cumplir Nuestro Propósito Eterno
Franz, Sebastian
Paperback
El Poder de la Kabbalah: 13 principios para superar los desafíos y alcanzar la realización
Berg, Rav
Paperback
All the Names in the Bible: Comprehensive Index of Every Person and Place in Scripture
Thomas Nelson
Paperback
When God's People Pray Bible Study Participant's Guide: Six Sessions on the Transforming Power of Prayer
Cymbala, Jim
Paperback
The Bible Recap: A One-Year Guide to Reading and Understanding the Entire Bible, Deluxe Edition--Sage Floral Imitation Leather
Cobble, Tara-Leigh
Hardcover
Better Ways to Read the Bible: Transforming a Weapon of Harm Into a Tool of Healing
Lambert, Zach W.
Paperback
The Rapture, the Antichrist, and the Tribulation: An End-Times Countdown and What Happens Next
Renner, Rick
Paperback
La Visión: Una Aterradora Profecía de Los Días Finales del Mundo, Que Ha Comenzado a Manifestarse YA En La Actualidad
Wilkerson, David
Paperback
NIV, the Woman's Study Bible, Hardcover, Full-Color: Receiving God's Truth for Balance, Hope, and Transformation
Thomas Nelson
Hardcover
Reversing Hermon: Enoch, the Watchers, and the Forgotten Mission of Jesus Christ
Heiser, Michael S.
Paperback
The Complete Orthodox Ethiopian Bible in English: A Comprehensive Collection of Scriptures and Apocrypha Including the Book of Enoch, Ezras, Jubilees,
Press, Covenant Sacred
Hardcover
The Jesus You Can't Ignore: What You Must Learn from the Bold Confrontations of Christ
MacArthur, John F.
Paperback
Everything You Need Bible Study Guide: Essential Steps to a Life of Confidence in the Promises of God
Jeremiah, David
Paperback
Moving Mountains Study Guide: Praying with Passion, Confidence, and Authority
Eldredge, John
Paperback