The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ

{{Infobox book

| name = The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ

| image = The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ cover.jpg

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| author = Philip Pullman

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| publisher = Canongate Books

| pub_date = 2010

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| pages = 245

| isbn = 978-0-8021-2996-3

| oclc = 456177369

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The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ is a novel by Philip Pullman.

Published in 2010 by Canongate Books,{{cite news | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/philip-pullmans-scoundrel-christ-gets-the-enhanced-treatment-1930747.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100415154324/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/philip-pullmans-scoundrel-christ-gets-the-enhanced-treatment-1930747.html | url-status=dead | archive-date=April 15, 2010 | title=Philip Pullman's 'Scoundrel Christ' gets the "enhanced" treatment | work=The Independent | publisher=Independent Print Limited | accessdate=2010-12-03 | date=2010-03-29}} as part of the Canongate Myth Series, it retells the story of Jesus as if he were two people, brothers, "Jesus" and "Christ", with contrasting personalities; Jesus being a moral and godly man, and his brother Christ a calculating figure who wishes to use Jesus' legacy to found a powerful Church.[https://www.theguardian.com/books/2010/mar/26/philip-pullman-jesus-gospels Philip Pullman creates a darker Christ in new assault on the church] (retrieved 30 March 2010)[https://www.theguardian.com/books/2009/sep/07/philip-pullman-novel-scoundrel-christ Philip Pullman to publish novel about 'the Scoundrel Christ'] (retrieved 30 March 2010)

Critical reception

Pullman's historical understanding has been criticised by Jesuit theologian Gerald O'Collins.Gerald O’Collins, 2010, Philip Pullman’s Jesus, Darton Longman and Todd, {{ISBN|978-0-232-52806-0}}. Both books have been [http://www.thinkingfaith.org/articles/BOOK_20100811_1.htm reviewed by Brian McClorry S.J.].

While Christopher Hitchens, author of God Is Not Great, praised Pullman's His Dark Materials, he was more critical of The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ, labelling Pullman "a Protestant atheist" for supporting the teachings of Christ but being critical of organised religion.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/11/books/review/Hitchens-t.html?pagewanted=all|title=In the Name of the Father, the Sons ...|last=Hitchens|first=Christopher|date=9 July 2010|website=The New York Times|access-date=30 June 2017}}

Diarmaid MacCulloch reviewed the book positively for Literary Review.MacCulloch, Diarmaid. [https://literaryreview.co.uk/all-too-human "All Too Human"], Literary Review. Retrieved 12 December 2020

References

External links

[http://www.thegoodmanjesusandthescoundrelchrist.co.uk/ The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ] website
[http://www.thinkingfaith.org/articles/BOOK_20100811_1.htm Review of Philip Pullman's Jesus and The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ]
[http://www.westminster-abbey.org/worship/sermons/2010/may/sermon-given-at-matins-on-sunday-2-may-2011?SQ_DESIGN_NAME=inner_printer_friendly Sermon given at Westminster Abbey on The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ] available via Wayback Machine [https://web.archive.org/web/20120212031708/http://www.westminster-abbey.org/worship/sermons/2010/may/sermon-given-at-matins-on-sunday-2-may-2011 here].

Category:2010 British novels

Category:Novels by Philip Pullman

Category:Novelistic portrayals of Jesus

Category:Books critical of Christianity

Category:Canongate Books books