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.
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.
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.