SHEPHERDSTOWN — Randall “Randy” Tremba, of Shepherdstown, published his third book in December, inspired by his experience as the former pastor of Shepherdstown Presbyterian Church.
During his 41 years at Shepherdstown Presbyterian Church, Tremba said he preached more than 2,000 sermons.
“As a Presbyterian minister, I was expected to preach a sermon every Sunday based on the Bible and to revere the Bible as ‘the Word of God,’” Tremba said, noting he was raised by “fundamentalist” Christian parents. “Slowly, over time, I began to feel that the Bible was far more human than divine. In fact, it’s not a book, per se, but rather a conglomeration of assorted documents from an ancient culture, edited and assembled over a thousand years. It’s a human product.
“Once I removed the Bible from the pedestal, I began to see things differently. For example, I saw Eve as a hero in the Garden of Eden story, not a villain responsible for ‘original sin,’ and love — not Jesus or Christianity — as ‘the way, the truth and the life,’” Tremba said.
With these thoughts in mind, Tremba decided to publish his latest book, “The Bible Reexamined: Eve Is a Hero, Mary Is Not a Virgin, Jesus Is Not the Way.”
“Numerous people who heard my sermons or read my essays in ‘The Good News Paper’ encouraged me to incorporate my ‘maverick’ ideas and insights into a book,” Tremba, who was the editor of the Shepherdstown Ministerial Association’s now-defunct community newspaper, said. “It took three years and at least 12 drafts, and now, it’s finally published.”
Tremba acknowledged that the book isn’t for everyone.
“I debunk the notion that the Bible is ‘the Word of God,’ which ruined it for many thinking people,” Tremba said. “The book is intended for those who feel that the Bible may be a good book, but not ‘the Good Book,’ or for those who tossed it in the trash can as ‘despicable.’ It is despicable in parts but not entirely.”
This third book builds on the thoughts expressed in his 2019 book, “Let Love Arise,” his 2021 book, “80 Dispatches from the Devil’s Domain,” and his blogs, “The Devil’s Gift” and “Muse Mints.”
“I came to understand the Bible as a bony fish. It mustn’t be swallowed whole,” Tremba, who is a graduate of Fuller Theological Seminary and Princeton Seminary, said. “That prompted my reexamination.”
Tremba’s new book has already proved incredibly popular, with it becoming the best seller at Four Seasons Books during its first month on the Shepherdstown-based bookstore’s shelves. A “Conversation With the Author” will be held at Four Seasons in the near future.
“The Bible Reexamined: Eve Is a Hero, Mary Is Not a Virgin, Jesus Is Not the Way” can be purchased at Four Seasons Books and online at Amazon.
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