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Censoring God

The History of the Lost Books (and other Excluded Scriptures)
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( 13 ratings, 2 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Censoring God by Jim Willis delves into the intriguing history of the various sacred texts excluded from the biblical canon, exploring why books like the Book of Enoch are absent despite their scriptural references. The author, an ordained minister and theologian, examines the historical, political, and social influences on the Bible's formation, the biases of its editors, and the broader implications of these exclusions. The book investigates over two dozen lost or censored texts and highlights how sacred writings have been shaped by power dynamics throughout history, supported by more than 120 photographs and an extensive bibliography.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book is ideal for readers interested in religious history, theology, biblical studies, and those curious about the political and cultural forces behind sacred texts. It suits scholars, students, and thoughtful lay readers seeking a deeper understanding of the Bible's composition and its exclusions.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Why isn't the Book of Enoch in the Holy Bible, even though Enoch is referenced multiple times? Why were texts considered sacred by many, excluded by others? Who made the decisions and why?

There are more than 50 books—some of which exist only in fragments while others are complete and whole—that are not included in the biblical canon. Why were they discarded? Most Protestant denominations settled on 66 canonical books of the Bible, while there are 73 for Roman Catholics and 78 for Eastern Orthodox adherents. Why are there these differences of opinion?

We are often taught that the Bible is, in the words of many religious catechisms, "the infallible word of faith and practice." In reality, the Bible can also be seen as a political document as much as a spiritual one. Ordained minister and theologian Jim Willis examines the historical, political, and social climates that influenced the redactors and editors of the Bible and other sacred texts in Censoring God: The History of the Lost Books (and other Excluded Scriptures).

In analysing why texts were censored, he uncovers sometimes surprising biases. He investigates enigmatic hints of Bible codes and ancient wisdom that imply a greater spiritual force might have been at work. Willis explores the importance of the Book of Enoch, its disappearance, and how it was rediscovered in Ethiopia. He analyses over two dozen excluded texts, such as Jubilees and the Gospel of Thomas, along with the many references to books that we know about from fragments but remain lost.

Thought-provoking and provocative, Censoring God scrutinises how sacred texts might have been used to justify the power of the powerful, including the destruction of sacred writings of conquered indigenous cultures because they did not agree with the finished version of the Bible accepted by the Church establishment. This important book looks at the human failings in interpreting God's words, and through a compassionate examination, it brings a deeper understanding of the power and importance of those words. With more than 120 photos and graphics, this tome is richly illustrated. Its helpful bibliography provides sources for further exploration, and an extensive index adds to its usefulness.

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Fortean Times praises Censoring God as an insightful exploration of books omitted from the Bible, including apocryphal gospels and alternative creation stories, offering readers thought-provoking perspectives.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781578597321

Publisher: Visible Ink Press

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 13 May 2021

Country: United States

Imprint: Visible Ink Press

Illustration: 300 Illustrations

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 152.0mm

Height: 229.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 300

About the Author

Jim Willis earned his master’s degree in theology from Andover Newton Theological School, and he has been an ordained minister for over forty years. He has also taught college courses in comparative religion and cross-cultural studies. His background in theology and education led to his writing more than a dozen books on religion, the apocalypse, cross-cultural spirituality, and the mysteries of the unknown. His books include Visible Ink Press’ Ancient Gods: Lost Histories, Hidden Truths, and the Conspiracy of Silence; Supernatural Gods: Spiritual Mysteries, Psychic Experiences, and Scientific Truths; The Religion Book; Hidden History: Ancient Aliens and the Suppressed Origins of Civilization; and Lost Civilizations: The Secret Histories and Suppressed Technologies of the Ancients. Willis resides in the woods of South Carolina with his wife, Barbara.

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