Download or read book The Quest for the Fictional Jesus written by Margaret E Ramey and published by Lutterworth Press. This book was released on 2017-03-31 with total page 228 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: For almost two millennia, Jesus' story has been retold in various forms and fashions but in the last century a new way of reimagining the man from Galilee has sprung up in the form of novels about the life ofJesus. While the novels themselves are asvaried as their authors, this work aims to introduce readers to some common literary strategies and theological agendas found in this phenomenon by surveying a few prominent examples. It also explores the question of what happens when we examine theintertextual play between these reimaginings and their Gospel progenitors as we allow these contemporary novels to pose new questions to their ancient counterparts. An intriguing hermeneutical circle ensues as we embark on our quest for the fictional Jesus and accompany his incarnations as they lead us back to re-examine the canonical portraits of Jesus anew.

Download or read book The Shadow of the Galilean written by Gerd Theissen and published by SCM Press. This book was released on 2014-07-24 with total page 299 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Combining New Testament study with the terseness of thriller writing, Theissen conveys the Gospel story in the imaginative prose of a novel. This is a story of our times, or how the gospels might have turned out if they were written by John Le Carre: racy, readable and full of incident.

Download or read book Quest for the Historical Apostles written by W. Brian Shelton and published by Baker Books. This book was released on 2018-04-17 with total page 328 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The stories and contributions of the apostles provide an important entrée into church history. This comprehensive historical and literary introduction uncovers their lives and legacies, underscoring the apostles' impact on the growth of the early church. The author collects and distills the histories, legends, symbols, and iconography of the original twelve and locates figures such as Paul, Peter, and John in the broader context of the history of the apostles. He also explores the continuing story of the gospel mission and the twelve disciples beyond the New Testament.

Download or read book The Lost Gospel of Judas Iscariot written by Bart D. Ehrman and published by Oxford University Press. This book was released on 2008 with total page 209 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The biblical scholar recounts the events surrounding the discovery and handling of the Gospel of Judas, and provides an overview of its content, in which Judas is portrayed as a faithful disciple.

Download or read book The Quest of the Historical Jesus written by Albert Schweitzer and published by . This book was released on 1910 with total page 430 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book The Real and the Sacred written by Jefferson J Gatrall and published by University of Michigan Press. This book was released on 2014-11-13 with total page 306 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The figure of Jesus appears as a character in dozens of nineteenth-century novels, including works by Balzac, Flaubert, Dickens, Dostoevsky, and others. The Real and the Sacred focuses in particular on two fiction genres: the Jesus redivivus tale and the Jesus novel. In the former, Christ makes surprise visits to earth, from rural Flanders (Balzac) and Muscovy (Turgenev) to the bustling streets of Paris (Flaubert), Seville (Dostoevsky), Berlin, and Boston. In the latter, the historical Jesus wanders through the picturesque towns and plains of first-century Galilee and Judea, attracting followers and enemies. In short, authors subjected Christ, the second person of the Christian trinity, to the realist norms of secular fiction. Thus the Jesus of nineteenth-century fiction was both situated within a specific time and place, whether ancient or modern, and positioned before the gaze of increasingly daring literary portraitists. The highest artistic challenge for authors was to paint, using mere words, a faithful picture of Jesus in all his humanity. The incongruity of a sacred figure inhabiting secular literary forms nevertheless tested the limits of modern realist style no less than the doctrine of Christ’s divinity. The international “quest of the historical Jesus” has been amply documented within the context of nineteenth-century biblical scholarship. Yet there has been no broad-based comparative study devoted to the depiction of Jesus in prose fiction over the same time period. The Real and the Sacred offers a comprehensive survey of this body of fiction, examining both the range of its Christ types and the varying formal means through which these types were represented. The nineteenth century—despite forecasts of God's death at the time—not only revived older Christ types but also witnessed the rise of new ones, including le Christ proletaire, the Mormon Christ, the Buddhist Christ, and the Tolstoyan Christ. Novelists played a crucial role in the invention and popularization of the historical Jesus in particular, one of modernity's major figures. These pioneering works of fiction, written by authors of diverse religious and national backgrounds, laid the formal groundwork for an enduring fascination with the historical Jesus in later fiction and film, from Mikhail Bulgakov's Master and Margarita to Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ. The book is enhanced by a gallery of illustrations of the historical Jesus as depicted by nineteenth-century artists.

Download or read book Seeing through Christianity written by Bill Zuersher and published by Xlibris Corporation. This book was released on 2014-06-20 with total page 317 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The only book you'll ever need to read about Christianity. This remarkable book provides a critical overview of Christian beliefs and the evidence for them. Where did these beliefs come from? Are there good reasons to believe Christianity is true? Bill Zuersher clearly explains each of Christianity's major beliefs. He then proceeds to demonstrate significant difficulties with each of them. The book tackles these beliefs in a logical order, beginning with the problems at the root of virtually all religions, suffering and death, and culminating in their supposed resolution through Jesus. Mr. Zuersher also examines the evidence for Christianity, namely religious writings and the historical fact of the early Jesus movement. He makes the case that this evidence does not support the religion's claims and he provides naturalistic alternative explanations for how its core beliefs arose. In these pages we see the coalescence of Jewish and Zoroastrian religious ideas with those of Greek philosophy and mystery cults, to form the belief system we recognize as Christianity today. The result, Mr. Zuersher argues, is not revealed truth, but rather a human patchwork which contains unwarranted assumptions and logical flaws, all founded upon questionable evidence. Entertaining throughout, it is must-reading for skeptics, apologists, and anyone interested the world's largest religion or the culture wars behind today's politics -- an invaluable resource for students and teachers, writers and debaters.

Download or read book Bart Ehrman and the Quest of the Historical Jesus of Nazareth written by Frank R. Zindler and published by . This book was released on 2013 with total page 567 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book The Jesus Sayings written by Rex Weyler and published by House of Anansi. This book was released on 2009 with total page 410 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Is it possible to reconcile Jesus, the Prince of Peace, with religious violence? From the Inquisition to the burning of women healers to modern pedophilia scandals, spiritual leaders and followers are deeply divided about how to reconcile the teachings of Jesus with the atrocities of church history. How did his message get misinterpreted, and what relevance does that message have in the 21st century? Here, critically acclaimed author and social historian Rex Weyler explores the mystery surrounding the historical Jesus, whose voice and words have been distorted by centuries of revision. By examining the research of international Bible scholars and some 200 ancient sources, including the recently discovered Gospels of Thomas and Mary, Weyler recreates the life of Jesus and his legacy, from the Roman Empire to the present day. Combining popular history with modern scholarship, The Jesus Sayings is a revelatory and highly readable work that entertains, inspires, and enlightens.

Download or read book Beyond the Quest for the Historical Jesus written by Thomas L. Brodie and published by Sheffield Phoenix Press Limited. This book was released on 2012 with total page 256 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In the past forty years, while historical-critical studies were seeking with renewed intensity to reconstruct events behind the biblical texts, not least the life of Jesus, two branches of literary studies were finally reaching maturity. First, researchers were recognizing that many biblical texts are rewritings or transformations of older texts that still exist, thus giving a clearer sense of where the biblical texts came from; and second, studies in the ancient art of composition clarified the biblical texts' unity and purpose, that is to say, where biblical texts were headed. The work of tracing literary indebtedness and art is far from finished but it is already possible and necessary to draw a conclusion: it is that, bluntly, Jesus did not exist as a historical individual. This is not as negative as may at first appear. In a deeply personal coda, Brodie begins to develop a new vision of Jesus as an icon of God's presence in the world and in human history.

Download or read book A Quest for the Post historical Jesus written by William Hamilton and published by Burns & Oates. This book was released on 1994 with total page 328 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: If, as it seems, historical method has given us all that it is capable of giving, and that does not prove to be much, an examination of contemporary fictional treatments of Jesus takes on new interest. So the author here examines twentieth-century Jesus fictions written by novelists, playwrights, poets, from Elizabeth Goudge and Robert Graves to Gore Vidal and A.N. Wilson, from T.S. Eliot and W.H. Auden to Stevie Smith. On the way to this central discussion he also considers Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, Harriet Beecher Stowe and Emily Dickinson from the nineteenth century; theologians like Gerd Theissen, Graham Shaw, J.L. Segundo and Leonardo Boff; and films including Pasolini's "The Gospel according to St. Matthew" and "Jesus of Montreal."

Download or read book The Power of Parable written by John Dominic Crossan and published by Harper Collins. This book was released on 2012-03-06 with total page 345 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In 1969, I was teaching at two seminaries inthe Chicago area. One of my courses wason the parables by Jesus and the other wason the resurrection stories about Jesus. I hadobserved that the parabolic stories by Jesusseemed remarkably similar to the resurrectionstories about Jesus. Were the latter intended asparables just as much as the former? Had webeen reading parable, presuming history, andmisunderstanding both? —from The Power of Parable So begins the quest of renowned Jesus scholarJohn Dominic Crossan as he unlocks the truemeanings and purposes of parable in the Bible sothat modern Christians can respond genuinely toJesus's call to fully participate in the kingdom ofGod. In The Power of Parable, Crossan examinesJesus's parables and identifies what he calls the"challenge parable" as Jesus's chosen teaching toolfor gently urging his followers to probe, question,and debate the ideological absolutes of religiousfaith and the presuppositions of social, political,and economic traditions. Moving from parables by Jesus to parables aboutJesus, Crossan then presents the four gospels as"megaparables." By revealing how the gospels arenot reflections of the actual biography of Jesus butrather (mis)interpretations by the gospel writersthemselves, Crossan reaffirms the power of parablesto challenge and enable us to co-create withGod a world of justice, love, and peace.

Download or read book Quest 52 Student Edition written by Mark E. Moore and published by WaterBrook. This book was released on 2021-11-16 with total page 305 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The bestselling author of Quest 52 and Core 52 Student Edition presents a fifteen-minute-a-day plan that helps teens to know and become more like Jesus over the course of a year. Who is Jesus . . . really? Is he the world’s nicest guy? A social-justice champion? Is he super accepting or overly judgmental? If you’re ready for real answers rather than popular opinion, you’re in the right place. Quest 52 Student Edition is your way to experience the life and heart of Jesus like never before. Daily readings include a mix of biblical passages from the life of Jesus, fresh insights into his purpose and character, opportunities to engage with others, and practical ways to put what you’ve learned into practice. In just fifteen minutes a day, over the course of a year, you’ll come face to face with Jesus in 52 unforgettable encounters. Let respected Bible professor and teaching pastor Mark Moore be your guide. He developed this process to help students like you make sense of Christianity. Gain clarity on topics such as: • Does Jesus care about your pain? • Can Jesus forgive you for, well, you know? • Does God play favorites? • What does Jesus say about social justice? • Does your past determine your future? This quest will enhance your understanding of Jesus in ways that will forever change how you make choices, engage with others, interpret today’s big issues, and even view yourself!

Download or read book Fictional Transfigurations of Jesus written by Theodore Ziolkowski and published by Wipf and Stock Publishers. This book was released on 2002-04-12 with total page 327 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Many novels revolve round the figure of Jesus. Some of the finest of them are defined by Ziolkowski as fictional transfigurations of Jesus. They share a modern hero patterned on Jesus the culture-hero, whose life consisted of the motifs of the last supper, lonely agony, betrayal, trial, and crucifixion. The aesthetic challenge of adapting this most familiar story for their generation has attracted an unusual number of great writers, among them Papini, Kazantzakis, Hesse, Mann, Greene, Faulkner, and Gore Vidal. The form began with the new image of a humanized Jesus which developed in the 19th century. The interest in religious paranoia and hysteria at the turn of the century instantly expanded its potentialities as novelists began to explore the theme of christomania. This was followed by studies of Jesus as a mythic figure and then Marxist-oriented portraits of Comrade Jesus. Finally the form became inverted into parody in the Fifth Gospels in which not Jesus, but Judas, is the central figure.

Download or read book The Real Jesus written by Luke Timothy Johnson and published by Harper Collins. This book was released on 1997-01-03 with total page 211 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Presents a new perspective on the real life of Jesus based on biblical and historical scholarship and debunks many arguments arising out of the "Jesus Seminar."

Download or read book The Book of Longings written by Sue Monk Kidd and published by Penguin. This book was released on 2020-04-21 with total page 434 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: “An extraordinary novel . . . a triumph of insight and storytelling.” —Associated Press “A true masterpiece.” —Glennon Doyle, author of Untamed An extraordinary story set in the first century about a woman who finds her voice and her destiny, from the celebrated number one New York Times bestselling author of The Secret Life of Bees and The Invention of Wings In her mesmerizing fourth work of fiction, Sue Monk Kidd takes an audacious approach to history and brings her acclaimed narrative gifts to imagine the story of a young woman named Ana. Raised in a wealthy family with ties to the ruler of Galilee, she is rebellious and ambitious, with a brilliant mind and a daring spirit. She engages in furtive scholarly pursuits and writes narratives about neglected and silenced women. Ana is expected to marry an older widower, a prospect that horrifies her. An encounter with eighteen-year-old Jesus changes everything. Their marriage evolves with love and conflict, humor and pathos in Nazareth, where Ana makes a home with Jesus, his brothers, and their mother, Mary. Ana's pent-up longings intensify amid the turbulent resistance to Rome's occupation of Israel, partially led by her brother, Judas. She is sustained by her fearless aunt Yaltha, who harbors a compelling secret. When Ana commits a brazen act that puts her in peril, she flees to Alexandria, where startling revelations and greater dangers unfold, and she finds refuge in unexpected surroundings. Ana determines her fate during a stunning convergence of events considered among the most impactful in human history. Grounded in meticulous research and written with a reverential approach to Jesus's life that focuses on his humanity, The Book of Longings is an inspiring, unforgettable account of one woman's bold struggle to realize the passion and potential inside her, while living in a time, place and culture devised to silence her. It is a triumph of storytelling both timely and timeless, from a masterful writer at the height of her powers.

Download or read book The Jesus Quest written by Ben Witherington III and published by InterVarsity Press. This book was released on 1997-05-08 with total page 340 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Ben Witherington III offers a comprehensive assessment of what scholars such as John Dominic Crossan, Marcus Borg, Burton Mack and the Jesus Seminar are really saying about Jesus.