Dr. Land is correct that I made one error in mistakenly referring to him when I meant to say Bailey Smith when I mentioned the quote about God not hearing the prayer of a Jew. I apologize for this error, but it was an unintentional slip, not a malicious distortion, as can be seen in the fact that I had named Bailey Smith as the speaker of that statement when I first mentioned it earlier in the book (p. 117). The slip on p. 140 will be changed in the paperback edition of the book.

As for the story Will Campbell told me, that is exactly what he said, and I identify it in the book as a story Will Campbell "told me." I had no reason to doubt it, and it is basically a matter of "he said / he said." And I certainly stand by the point I was making: "What Wouldn't Jesus do? He wouldn't flip the switch on the electric chair."

So before everyone goes off calling me a liar presenting false information, etc., they might want to read the book and see just what I do say. What I say is that we as Christians ought to concentrating on the teachings of Jesus and doing our best to practice what He preached. Those who justify war, for example, are Constantianians, not Christians. In the fourth century, Constantine stood Jesus on his head, transforming him from the Prince of Peace into the Prince of War. All too many people claiming to be "Christians" have followed him in that error for 17 centuries.

What Grand Theft Jesus is about is what I call "ChristianityLite," an adulterated drug being sold by many people calling themselves Christians. It is like plans to "lose weight without diet or exercise," offering: "Be saved without sacrifice or good works! SAY Jesus and then you don't have to DO Jesus!" My book is aimed at this "Easy Jesus" religion. The book seeks to get people to become genuine Jesus Followers.

I am sure that many of those who read this site will strongly disagree with some of what I say in the book but, as I say in the introduction, "I ask, though, that they hear me out and compare both what I say and what the Lite Reverends say with what Jesus said in the Gospels before they condemn me."

Posted by: Robert McElvaine | August 14, 2008 12:45 PM

In Dr. McElvaine's response to Dr. Land's article he admits to making "one error," but he should certainly be aware that he made several other errors in "Grand Theft Jesus." I published a review of his book on my web site in which I noted the sloppiness of his documentation. A few examples: On page 16, Dr. McElviane assigns a quote to Pat Robertson and then he re-assigns that same quote to Jerry Falwell on page 17. Additionally, Dr. McElvaine provides an account of the conversion of Constantine which does not even remotely mimic that of the documented historical record.

I sent an e-mail to Dr. McElvaine on April 27th advising him of my book review and inviting a response that I offered to publish. I am still awaiting a response.

Dr. McElvaine's response to Dr. Land expresses the concern that some might call him a liar. He need not be concerned. The majority of people who are capable of critical thinking will acknowledge the fact that in order for one to be considered a liar, there must be an intent to deceive in one's words. The majority of us understand that Dr. McElvaine is influenced by postmodernism to the point where he has no idea what "truth" is, and so can not be accused of intending to deceive.

Posted by: John Blackfox | August 21, 2008 10:58 PM