The Thomas Jefferson Bible – What is it?

Fall Culture

TL;DR:

Thomas Jefferson created his own version of Jesus by cutting out miracles, deity, and the resurrection from the Gospels, keeping only what fit his rationalism. Removing the supernatural results in a Jesus who cannot save.

what does the bible say?

Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States, admired Jesus’ moral teaching but rejected the Bible’s supernatural claims. Following Enlightenment rationalism, he trusted only what fit human reason, ignoring that creation itself testifies to the miraculous (Genesis 1:1). He cut from the Gospels most miracles, references to Jesus’ deity, and the resurrection, defining Jesus as merely a moral teacher.

That same philosophy continues to exist today in “historical Jesus” studies, the Jesus Seminar, and even “pick-and-choose” Christianity, where people select just the passages they like, rejecting the others. In each case, people sit in judgment over Scripture, discarding what offends their assumptions. The result is always the same: a different Jesus than the true Jesus.

The Bible presents a Savior whose identity was confirmed by public, supernatural works. Peter says Jesus was attested by God “with mighty works and wonders and signs” (Acts 2:22). The Gospels record healings, His authority over nature (Mark 1:29–34; Mark 4:35–41), and even the raising of Lazarus (John 11:38–44). Above all, the resurrection is central to the gospel; if Christ has not been raised, then there is no salvation (1 Corinthians 15:3–4, 17). By denying His miracles, Jefferson rejected Jesus.

from the old testament

Ironically, those who reject the miracles of the Bible ignore the miracle of creation that they encounter every day (Genesis 1:1).

from the new testament

Jefferson’s Enlightenment rationalism led him to reject miracles that the New Testament presents as historical facts, not embellishments. Jesus healed the sick (Mark 1:29–34), commanded creation itself (Mark 4:35–41), and raised the dead (John 11:38–44). These acts are recorded as real events witnessed by crowds, disciples, and opponents. Scripture treats them as essential proof of His identity.
Above all, the resurrection miracle stands at the center of the gospel. Paul teaches that Christ died for our sins and rose again (1 Corinthians 15:3–4), and he insists, “if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins” (1 Corinthians 15:17). That is, if Jesus did not die, then there’s no salvation. Thus, removing Jesus’ miracles removes the gospel itself.

implications for today

People love buffets because we like choices. Don’t like chicken? Have the roast beef instead. Vegetarian? Ignore the meat and create your own salad. Some apply that same approach to Scripture, choosing only the passages they like and rejecting the rest.

But Scripture must be taken as it is: God’s Word. That includes the miraculous, no matter how hard it is for us to understand or accept. The Bible is “God-breathed” (2 Timothy 3:16), given to us by theGod who never lies (Titus 1:2). Those who believe some parts and reject others are rejecting God and creating a version of Jesus who looks more like us. This has been the sin of humanity since Adam—trying to take on ultimate authority rather than submitting to God’s authority. Jefferson’s Bible does this by cutting out the miracles in the gospels simply because he didn’t believe them. It was a failure and a danger because it ignores truth in favor of human preferences.

Believers today must be sure we’re not doing this in our lives. Examine your life. Are there some teachings in Scripture you don’t understand or find hard to accept? How do you handle that? Does your life reflect submission to God, or have you rejected God’s ways in favor of your own?

Pray to God that He would reveal any areas of your life where you still resist Him. If you belong to Christ, open your Bible with confidence. The God who breathed out His Word has given you reliable truth. Accept it as it stands and allow the real Jesus to speak through it.

understand

Thomas Jefferson cut miracles, Jesus’ deity, and the resurrection from the Gospels to fit his rationalism.
The Bible presents Jesus’ miracles and resurrection as essential proof of who He is.
Removing the supernatural creates a different Jesus and removes the power of the gospel.

reflect

Where are you tempted to accept parts of Scripture you like while quietly dismissing parts you find difficult or uncomfortable?
How is your view of Jesus affected when you fully embrace what Scripture says about Him?
Where are you tempted to allow human reason or cultural opinion to sway God’s Word, and what are the dangers of that?

engage

Why is the resurrection essential to the gospel, and what happens to Christianity if it is removed?
How can believers guard against a “pick-and-choose” approach to Scripture?
What practical steps can we take to submit to the full authority of the Bible, even when parts are hard to understand or accept?

More Resources

Things in the Bible

Are Bible miracles literal events?

Bible miracles are meant to be literal events. The literal understanding of miracles reveals God’s sovereignty over creation and His intentionality to reveal Himself through specific people.

Apologetics

Why should I believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ?

Multiple lines of evidence confirm the resurrection of Jesus Christ: the empty tomb, numerous eyewitness accounts, and the dramatic transformation of fishermen into bold gospel preachers. The resurrection of Jesus shows that Jesus has conquered sin, death, and the devil and that all those who trust in Him have eternal hope .

Son

Why is the reality of the bodily resurrection of Jesus so central to the Christian faith?

The bodily, physical resurrection of Jesus from the dead is the single most important event in world history because it proves He is who He said He is: the sinless Son of God. Through Jesus’ resurrection, believers can know they have eternal and abundant life.

Studying the Bible

Should the Bible be interpreted literally?

The Bible should be interpreted literally. At the same time, the Bible makes use of many literary devices, and these should be interpreted accordingly. Understanding the Bible in its historical, cultural, grammatical, and literary contexts does not undermine the literal message but enhances our understanding.