{"product_id":"the-first-christmas-what-the-gospels-really-teach-about-jesuss-birth-9780061430718","title":"The First Christmas: What the Gospels Really Teach about Jesus's Birth","description":"\u003cp\u003e\"Who could argue with the message the authors draw from the Bible's Christmas stories? Light in the darkest time of the year, hope in a period of creeping despair--these are powerful and universal themes that can give everyone a stake in Christmas.\"\u003cbr\u003e--\u003cem\u003eUSA\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cem\u003e Today\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn \u003cem\u003eThe First Christmas \u003c\/em\u003eMarcus J. Borg and John Dominic Crossan--top Jesus scholars and authors of \u003cem\u003eThe Last Week\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cem\u003e--h\u003c\/em\u003eelp us see the real Christmas story buried in the familiar Bible accounts. Basing their interpretations on the two nativity narratives in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, Borg and Crossan focus on the literal story--the inner truth rather than the historical facts--to offer a clear and uplifting message of hope and peace. With \u003cem\u003eThe First Christmas\u003c\/em\u003e readers get a fresh, deep, and new understanding of the nativity story, enabling us to better appreciate the powerful message of the Gospels.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eCrossan, John Dominic:\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e - \u003cp\u003eJohn Dominic Crossan, professor emeritus at DePaul University, is widely regarded as the foremost historical Jesus scholar of our time. He is the author of several bestselling books, including \u003cem\u003eThe Historical Jesus\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eHow to Read the Bible and Still Be a Christian, God and Empire\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eJesus: A Revolutionary Biography\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eThe Greatest Prayer, The Last Week, \u003c\/em\u003eand \u003cem\u003eThe Power of Parable\u003c\/em\u003e. He lives in Minneola, Florida.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eBorg, Marcus J.:\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e - \u003cp\u003eMarcus J. Borg (1942-2015) was a pioneering author and teacher whom the \u003cem\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/em\u003e described as a leading figure in his generation of Jesus scholars. He was the Hundere Distinguished Professor of Religion and Culture at Oregon State University and canon theologian at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Portland, and he appeared on NBC's \u003cem\u003eThe Today Show\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eDateline\u003c\/em\u003e, ABC's \u003cem\u003eWorld News\u003c\/em\u003e, and NPR's \u003cem\u003eFresh Air\u003c\/em\u003e. His books have sold over a million copies, including the bestselling \u003cem\u003eMeeting Jesus Again for the First Time\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eReading the Bible Again for the First Time\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eJesus\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eThe Heart of Christianity\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eEvolution of the Word\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eSpeaking Christian\u003c\/em\u003e, and \u003cem\u003eConvictions\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"HarperOne","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50647413752082,"sku":"9780061430718","price":12.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_560d9461-1e4b-44e4-ad1d-30251194fc9a.jpg?v=1734799426","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/the-first-christmas-what-the-gospels-really-teach-about-jesuss-birth-9780061430718","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}