Christian dogma holds that humankind was saved by the shedding of the blood of Jesus. But what kind of rational, loving god would require a blood sacrifice? Such a notion affronts all reason and raises questions about what kind of loving deity we...

Christian dogma holds that humankind was saved by the shedding of the blood of Jesus. But what kind of rational, loving god would require a blood sacrifice? Such a notion affronts all reason and raises questions about what kind of loving deity we look to for moral guidance. Where did this idea come from, long after civilization rejected human sacrifice? Paul in particular made distinct errors in his readings of Genesis and in his creation of Jesus as a blood sacrifice. Reason and Doctrine clearly points out such contradictions, then examines what the Gospels say about Jesus. What did he actually teach and who did he think he was? To what extent was he speaking metaphorically and how much of his talk did he mean literally? Comparing the Gospels story by story, we begin to realize the picture is not so clear.