Who Is Jesus?: Answers to Your Questions About the Historical Jesus

Rating:
Summary: Very useful, very enlightening, very controversial
Review: Crossan has become controversial not because he says things hundreds of other biblical scholars and theologians haven't said before, but because he says them out in the open. Much of the search for the "historical Jesus" has been relegated to the pages of scholarly [or narrowly-read lay] journals.

"Who Is Jesus?" is a reader-friendly condensation of the subject matter of Crossan's major published work, "The Historical Jesus: The Life of a Mediterranean Jewish Peasant." The Q&A format, along with excerpts of letters written to Crossan, offers an easily-understood presentation of this sometimes-difficult material. The tough questions are asked and answered, although the answers aren't always as complete as in the prior [larger] work.

I am particularly pleased that Crossan is able to defend his views on faith statements concerning Jesus and his ministry vs. historical statements. Many detractors have bitterly remarked that "Crossan wants to take away Christmas and Easter," and other such complaints. Nothing of the kind; Crossan makes clear that the study of Jesus as a historical person is intended to make clearer and more real the message of the Jesus of faith. Many of his answers directly address the seeming incompatibilities of the two.

This is a good introduction for those new to the search for the "historical Jesus," and a useful addition to the libraries of those who have plowed through other [larger] works.

Rating:
Summary: A Fine Work
Review: I enjoyed this book very much and will recommend it.

However, I am not giving a full 5-star recommendation because of Crossan's belief that the gospels were written with symbolism in the phrasing. I have heard this from different authors and historians before and I am still not convinced. The gospels were probably written for the literate, because the poor that Jesus was so fond of would never had been able to read them at all, much less understand any symbolism in the writing.

I submit the gospels were written to gather as many new converts as possible. It would not have been enough to show Jews and Gentiles the "Q" book, and try to win them over with teachings only. The story of Jesus needed more panache, with supernatural proof he was the Son of God.

I simply believe the gospels evolved out of campfire tall tales, taking what was known for sure, and stretching the myth. After all, that's how the Old Testament came about, as well as the mythologies from Babylon, Egypt, Greese and Rome (and even America)

I respect Mr. Crossan's works, and I will continue to read them as much as I can.

Rating:
Summary: Good Intro
Review: So for those of you interested, this is a great crash course in Crossan's material. The information easy to read, and Crossan is, as always, engaging. I strongly encourage you to attend one of Dr. Crossan's lectures if you can. He has this great irish accent, and damn, the man knows what he's talking about. This book gives you a taste of the vast pools of insight Crossan has. Don't be surprised if you go along saying "I never thought of that."

To those who denigrate the Jesus Seminar, I would say its purpose is not to destroy christianity, but to voice a generally suppressed opinion. And if Christianity can be destroyed by a bunch of academics who thought it would be nice to find out what everyone agrees on, maybe Christianity isn't worthy of survival. For my part, although my faith was never in trouble, my ability to pursue it through the christian edifice was in doubt, and it was the Jesus Seminar that allowed me to do so. Thank you, Jesus Seminar.

Rating:
Summary: Intro to Crossan
Review: This is a question-and-answer format about what we can really know about Jesus from the historical perspective. Warning: if you aren't ready to have your faith shaken up, and are a hard and fast believer in the church, don't read this. If you are interested in exploring what the first century was really like and your idea of Jesus and Christianity doesn't fit with what your church is telling you, this book may provide an eye-opening, soul-searching experience for you. Those of you who are ready to search behind the stories of the Bible, give this book a try. It opens up a whole different way of thinking.