Rating: 
Summary: Jesus the Viceroy of God
Review: E.P. Sanders is without doubt one of the most pre-eminent scholars of the New Testament and of historical, that is, Second Temple, Judaism alive today. His expertise and breadth of knowledge are acclaimed by all quarters of biblical scholarship as often as his work is seen in print, which is it to say that this is often. Particularly he has made key entries into the current round of the academic Quest of the historical Jesus. The first was with his 1985 book "Jesus and Judaism", a technical and academic study in which Sanders outlined his position vis-a-vis Jesus as an historical personage about whom we could know a number of things with a substantial degree of certainty. Amongst these were that Jesus was a Galilean who preached and healed, that he confined his activity to Israel and that he was baptised by John the Baptist. All in all he stated 8 "almost indisputable facts" in that book which any reasoned and reasonable account of the historical Jesus should be able to account for. With "The Historical Figure of Jesus" Sanders presents a much more reader-friendly (and appreciably less technical though still academically formulated) account of Jesus of Nazareth in which he ups the statements he now considers as "almost beyond dispute" to 15 and attempts to draw his picture of Jesus around these chosen static points. Clearly, then, the things Sanders considers as fixed are crucial here. These demonstrate some modification of Sanders' position from his earlier book and the addition of some "equally secure facts" about "the aftermath of Jesus' life". They are not things which scholars or general readers would find particularly controversial. But then the devil is always in the detail. Sanders' construction of the historical Jesus as displayed in "Jesus and Judaism" is well known for being based around the incident in the Temple where Jesus turns over tables and drives out animals and/or people. This is seen as the proximate cause of Jesus' crucifixion and the event which gives us insight into his orientation as one interested in "restoration eschatology". But with "The Historical Figure of Jesus" Sanders takes a different tack, assuming much less background knowledge on the readers' part and so, consequently, providing the assumed reader with chapters of background on the political and religious settings of Jesus and on the nature of the documentary sources for his life. These chapters are as erudite as they are compact and would provide even the most novice-like reader of historical Jesus literature with a key to begin opening a number of the locks Sanders later presents. Having given background, Sanders proceeds to give chapters (some of which are so good they should be regarded as set texts on the subjects they address) which orientate themselves around Jesus' assumed interest in the Kingdom of God, his performance of miracles, the meaning of his teaching in Jewish context, Jesus' own view of himself and a programmatic chapter on Jesus' last week (an exercise in lucid brilliance). The Jesus revealed is set within a Jewish eschatological framework (discussion about the end of the current order of things) in which he is depicted very much as traditionally, even typically, Jewish. He speaks, for example, about "the reversal of values and ethical perfectionism" in the coming new age - the Kingdom of God. So what appears is a typically Jewish individual who harbours a view of his own authority to speak as, Sanders suggests, God's viceroy, and with an agenda which looks and works for the establishment of God's eschatological kingdom. All this is usefully garnished with astute discussion of the sayings of Jesus in the context of a Jewish religious situation. Two useful appendices and the addition of thorough indexes supplement the book usefully so that it is a practically orientated product for those who wish to validate or further their reading. So this is a book which I find exceedingly lucid and wise on the subject of the historical Jesus. Of course, readerly conclusions will always be different and I would not wish to give the impression that I agree with everything Sanders proposes or to suggest that he should be regarded as a fount of infallible knowledge. I would, however, suggest that this book is the perfect one for the general and non-technical reader interested in the historical figure of Jesus. It orientates the reader to the subject at hand, provides useful and relevant background in a way that is very clear and is sure-footed as to the conclusions it reaches and the evidence upon which it is based. I recommend it whole-heartedly.
Rating:
Summary: Easy and rewarding read...
Review: For a few years I've been exploring the subject generally referred to as the historical Jesus, reading a few books on Jesus and early Christianity. I'm not in a position to compare Sanders' book with other titles published in the last decade or so. (...)at least for me, at this point in my study -- Sanders book is easy to read and comprehend, even for the lay-Christian with minimum background in the life and times of Jesus. Several features of the book were appealing to me, including the internal review (summaries) of important points; presentation of alternative views of scholars, etc; lists of critical issues, with a thorough presentation of each listed item, followed by a summary conclusion, all of the above especially valuable for the reader who may be a little confused by the seemingly hundreds of names, etc. The reader has no doubt where the author stands. (...)I felt Sanders relied primarily on what's "known" as opposed to the "unknown." I felt the author is straight forward in labeling speculation as speculation. The important point for me is that this excellent historical study of Jesus will not undermine the faith (beliefs), in the slightest, any practicing Christian.
Rating:
Summary: Easy and rewarding read...
Review: For a few years I've been exploring the subject generally referred to as the historical Jesus, reading a few books on Jesus and early Christianity. I'm not in a position to compare Sanders' book with other titles published in the last decade or so. (...)at least for me, at this point in my study -- Sanders book is easy to read and comprehend, even for the lay-Christian with minimum background in the life and times of Jesus. Several features of the book were appealing to me, including the internal review (summaries) of important points; presentation of alternative views of scholars, etc; lists of critical issues, with a thorough presentation of each listed item, followed by a summary conclusion, all of the above especially valuable for the reader who may be a little confused by the seemingly hundreds of names, etc. The reader has no doubt where the author stands. (...)I felt Sanders relied primarily on what's "known" as opposed to the "unknown." I felt the author is straight forward in labeling speculation as speculation. The important point for me is that this excellent historical study of Jesus will not undermine the faith (beliefs), in the slightest, any practicing Christian.
Rating:
Summary: Did Jesus really exist? Was he really the Son of God?
Review: I grew up going to a Christian church every week but I haven't went to church regularly in over 10 years. So I find myself doubting my religion. I choose this book because I wanted to know if Jesus really existed. What I really liked about this book is the author makes his sources clear, which are most often the bible itself (and he always gives the verses and often quotes it). When he states the opinion of other bible scholars, or gives his own opinion, he clearly states that. He doesn't try to mix his opinions in with the facts. That gives him much more credibility. The book describes the life of Jesus and tells what we know about him, and just as often what we don't know about him. It points out many of the inaccuracies and inconsistencies of the gospels in the new testament. I learned a lot about the bible from reading this book, and I was already pretty familiar with it from my childhood Sunday school sessions. The author separates Jesus into two issues: The physical man named Jesus, and the question of was he the Son of God. The evidence for the existence of the physical Jesus is overwhelming. And the evidence for whether or not he was the Son of God is for you to decide. Overall let me say that this book is not pro, nor anti-Christianity. It seemed to be very unbiased. That's probably what I liked the most. If you are a Christian, you will be suprised to learn a lot of things that you didn't know about Jesus. And if you're not a Christian, you will be suprised to learn that Jesus (the man) really did exist. There are many books available on the bible and questioning Christianity, and many have lots of negative reviews. I highly recommend this one as a great place to start.
Rating:
Summary: Did Jesus really exist? Was he really the Son of God?
Review: I grew up going to a Christian church every week but I haven't went to church regularly in over 10 years. So I find myself doubting my religion. I choose this book because I wanted to know if Jesus really existed. What I really liked about this book is the author makes his sources clear, which are most often the bible itself (and he always gives the verses and often quotes it). When he states the opinion of other bible scholars, or gives his own opinion, he clearly states that. He doesn't try to mix his opinions in with the facts. That gives him much more credibility. The book describes the life of Jesus and tells what we know about him, and just as often what we don't know about him. It points out many of the inaccuracies and inconsistencies of the gospels in the new testament. I learned a lot about the bible from reading this book, and I was already pretty familiar with it from my childhood Sunday school sessions. The author separates Jesus into two issues: The physical man named Jesus, and the question of was he the Son of God. The evidence for the existence of the physical Jesus is overwhelming. And the evidence for whether or not he was the Son of God is for you to decide. Overall let me say that this book is not pro, nor anti-Christianity. It seemed to be very unbiased. That's probably what I liked the most. If you are a Christian, you will be suprised to learn a lot of things that you didn't know about Jesus. And if you're not a Christian, you will be suprised to learn that Jesus (the man) really did exist. There are many books available on the bible and questioning Christianity, and many have lots of negative reviews. I highly recommend this one as a great place to start.
Rating:
Summary: The best short book on the historical jesus
Review: I have purchased about 20 books on historical Jesus. This is my favorite because it's not too long, and because it balances the historical context with the evidence from the gospels. Sanders is an excellent scholar, and a great writer. He does not provide unfounded claims about Jesus but basis his conclusions on evidence. When the evidence is slim, which is most of the time, he admits it..
Rating:
Summary: Well Written, Very Insightful
Review: I like how the Publishers Review writer deemed this book as a "conservative" study of Jesus. That is definitely not, in my opinion, an insult. New Jesus books are a dime a dozen, and they are usually worth that price on a scholarly level. To sell books, they often deem themselves "radical", offering wild new interpretations, such as Jesus the rebel, or Jesus the husband and father. A conservative study is a correct one, for several simple reasons. The biggest reason, as Sanders points out early on in his wonderful book, is that we have precious little of the life of Jesus. This is amazing and frustrating at the same time, as it would be hard to name anyone even approaching the influence Jesus of Nazareth has had on the course of human events. The only real scholarly reference to a man named Jesus comes from Josephus, who offers a very bare description. The gospels have many problems, including their time distance from the actual events, the mystery concerning their authorship, and the editorial position they take concerning Jesus and his message. No records exist or have been found. So what to do? Sanders, with admittedly little to work with, gives the reader the best interpretation he can muster. Before approaching the gospels themselves, Sanders provides a fascinating description of ancient Israel, with its many complexities. Sanders does a good job explaining the social structure, the role of the leadership, and the position of Rome concerning the province of Judea. Many other aspects of the world Jesus grew up in are explored. This provides a good basis for the few bits of actual knowledge we have concerning Jesus. Slowly but surely, Sanders goes through the clues and themes of the New Testament, tearing them apart line by line and trying to find out what has some basis in reality and what we can draw from it historically. Again, even after the exercise, Sanders has to admit we have little, but he does have some really intriguing insights and historical points. Through this careful study, the reader can get a better picture of Jesus, and will have a better understanding of what he was attempting to do. Frankly, ideas and theories, based in fact, are all we are going to have until some new discoveries, such as the James ossuary, are made. Still, this limitation should not deter scholars from delivering well thought out works such as this one. First rate history.
Rating:
Summary: Well Written, Very Insightful
Review: I like how the Publishers Review writer deemed this book as a "conservative" study of Jesus. That is definitely not, in my opinion, an insult. New Jesus books are a dime a dozen, and they are usually worth that price on a scholarly level. To sell books, they often deem themselves "radical", offering wild new interpretations, such as Jesus the rebel, or Jesus the husband and father. A conservative study is a correct one, for several simple reasons. The biggest reason, as Sanders points out early on in his wonderful book, is that we have precious little of the life of Jesus. This is amazing and frustrating at the same time, as it would be hard to name anyone even approaching the influence Jesus of Nazareth has had on the course of human events. The only real scholarly reference to a man named Jesus comes from Josephus, who offers a very bare description. The gospels have many problems, including their time distance from the actual events, the mystery concerning their authorship, and the editorial position they take concerning Jesus and his message. No records exist or have been found. So what to do? Sanders, with admittedly little to work with, gives the reader the best interpretation he can muster. Before approaching the gospels themselves, Sanders provides a fascinating description of ancient Israel, with its many complexities. Sanders does a good job explaining the social structure, the role of the leadership, and the position of Rome concerning the province of Judea. Many other aspects of the world Jesus grew up in are explored. This provides a good basis for the few bits of actual knowledge we have concerning Jesus. Slowly but surely, Sanders goes through the clues and themes of the New Testament, tearing them apart line by line and trying to find out what has some basis in reality and what we can draw from it historically. Again, even after the exercise, Sanders has to admit we have little, but he does have some really intriguing insights and historical points. Through this careful study, the reader can get a better picture of Jesus, and will have a better understanding of what he was attempting to do. Frankly, ideas and theories, based in fact, are all we are going to have until some new discoveries, such as the James ossuary, are made. Still, this limitation should not deter scholars from delivering well thought out works such as this one. First rate history.
Rating:
Summary: Well Written, Very Insightful
Review: I like how the Publishers Review writer deemed this book as a "conservative" study of Jesus. That is definitely not, in my opinion, an insult. New Jesus books are a dime a dozen, and they are usually worth that price on a scholarly level. To sell books, they often deem themselves "radical", offering wild new interpretations, such as Jesus the rebel, or Jesus the husband and father. A conservative study is a correct one, for several simple reasons. The biggest reason, as Sanders points out early on in his wonderful book, is that we have precious little of the life of Jesus. This is amazing and frustrating at the same time, as it would be hard to name anyone even approaching the influence Jesus of Nazareth has had on the course of human events. The only real scholarly reference to a man named Jesus comes from Josephus, who offers a very bare description. The gospels have many problems, including their time distance from the actual events, the mystery concerning their authorship, and the editorial position they take concerning Jesus and his message. No records exist or have been found. So what to do? Sanders, with admittedly little to work with, gives the reader the best interpretation he can muster. Before approaching the gospels themselves, Sanders provides a fascinating description of ancient Israel, with its many complexities. Sanders does a good job explaining the social structure, the role of the leadership, and the position of Rome concerning the province of Judea. Many other aspects of the world Jesus grew up in are explored. This provides a good basis for the few bits of actual knowledge we have concerning Jesus. Slowly but surely, Sanders goes through the clues and themes of the New Testament, tearing them apart line by line and trying to find out what has some basis in reality and what we can draw from it historically. Again, even after the exercise, Sanders has to admit we have little, but he does have some really intriguing insights and historical points. Through this careful study, the reader can get a better picture of Jesus, and will have a better understanding of what he was attempting to do. Frankly, ideas and theories, based in fact, are all we are going to have until some new discoveries, such as the James ossuary, are made. Still, this limitation should not deter scholars from delivering well thought out works such as this one. First rate history.
Rating: 
Summary: I had to read it but I really liked it and got alot from it.
Review: In the book, "The historical figure of Jesus", E.P. Sanders sets out to understand who Jesus was and what he did by examining his life from a historical perspective. Sanders accomplishes this in a methodical way by outlining his study with as to eliminate as much of bias as possible that would contribute to our distorting the view of the historical Jesus. These factors of bias that Sanders points out are significant to consider when developing the history surrounding Jesus as a historical figure. 1. Introduction of the Common Era In Sanders' introduction he explains the complexities involved in writing about Jesus as a historical figure as compared to writing about other historical figures. He points out that there is a lack of sources that are available to us that would have enabled us to explore some of the more personal aspects of Jesus life. For instance, the fact that Jesus had never written anything down or that those who did write about Jesus had had virtually no contact with Jesus himself. This explains why Sanders and many others have chosen to study Jesus as a human being in the historical perspective. As a man that lived in a particular place and time, rather than discussing him as a theological figure of the First Century. In this way, Sanders and other scholars' hope that information on Jesus' life from a historical perspective will give us more insight into his thoughts as a man and allow us to consider it in a proper context. By examining the responses of Jesus' followers and outsiders who had heard about him some scholars think that you can, by a process of analysis and text comparisons, figure out what Jesus said. Throughout his book, Sanders uses standard methods of historical research in laying out what is known about Jesus' life. 2. An outline of Jesus' life Beginning in chapter two, "An outline of Jesus' life", Sanders uses a preliminary sketch of events to describe the general course of Jesus' life, such as: when and where he lived, approximat! ely when he was born and things that he did during his public life. In this outline of Jesus' life Sanders uses facts about Jesus that are undisputed amongst believers and non-believers alike. In order to give us a basic framework of what is accepted about the basic history behind what Jesus was known to have done during his lifetime. 3. Political setting To give us a broader perspective of the Jesus' life Sanders chooses next to look at the political setting of first-century Palestine. This would be around the twenties and the thirties of the Common Era, when Jesus would have been conducting his ministry in the areas of Palestine known as Galilee and Judaea. There were at this time, different political and judicial arrangements in Galilee and Judaea that would have influenced the way that Jesus lived and conducted his ministry. At this time, Rome governed over Palestine through a resident governor, who in turn utilized a high priest to govern over the Jewish people. This means that Rome for the most part did not actually govern over these city-states of Palestine. On a day to day basis, Jews were free to practice there own religion and go about there lives. Sanders points out that, "In general, there had not been any substantial revolts during Jesus' lifetime." Josephus, a Jewish scribe, who was employed by the Roman governor Antipas, had recorded no instance in which the governor had to resort to force in order to suppress an uprising. This is important because many of the scholars of the New Testament seem to imagine Jesus living in a context where the population was daily oppressed by Roman soldiers and officials. This was not at all the case in much of the areas in which Jesus conducted his ministry. 4. Judaism as a religion In discussing Judaism as a religion Sanders points out the basic beliefs and practices which were common in Jewish Palestine during the first century. Much of what was believed by other religions was also believed by the Jewish religion.
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