Gifts for the Gods

About the Book

From the earliest recorded history to the present day, humans have made sacrifices to their gods. Sacrifices have included everything of value from grains of rice to human lives. The author surveys sacrificial practices on all continents across the ages. Some still make human sacrifices.

Despite Judaism’s prohibition of human sacrifices, the Bible represents Jesus, a Jew, as having given Himself daily in behalf of those around Him and ultimately as a sacrifice for the sins of humankind. To the church in Ephesus, the Apostle Paul wrote, “Walk in love as God has loved us and given Himself as an offering and a sacrifice to God. . . .” (Eph. 5:2). To the church in Rome, he added, “I appeal to you . . . brethren, and beg you in full view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and facilities] as a living sacrifice . . . ” (Rom. 12:1 AB). Christianity still requires sacrifices—living sacrifices of our whole selves.

About the Author

About the Author Wm. G. Justice, DMin, DPhil, DLitt, has authored 14 previous books and over 200 articles in his field. He has been a student of history throughout his adult years. He has taught the Bible for 54 years, having begun while Piloting B-29 bombers during the Korean War. While serving 31 years as a professional bedside hospital chaplain, he earned licenses as a Professional Counselor and as a Marriage and Family Therapist and taught off-campus courses to candidates for bachelors, masters, and doctoral degrees for twelve different colleges, seminaries, and graduate schools. Although retired from hospital ministry, he continues to teach courses in Marriage Relations and A History of the Integration of Religion and Society as a Distinguished Professor of Religion and Society at Oxford Graduate School.