24 JAN 2011 by ideonexus

 Introduction to the Jefferson Bible

THE PHILOSOPHY OF JESUS OF NAZARETH Extracted from the account of his life and doctrines as given by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Being an abridgment of the New Testament for the use of the Indians, unembarrassed with matters of fact or faith beyond the level of their comprehensions. [emphasis mine]
 1  1  notes

The first title of Jefferson's pairing down of the New Testament gospels states clearly the purpose of the text.