Award-winning religious scholar Richard Bauckham here explores the historical figure of Jesus, evaluating the sources and showing that they provide us with good historical evidence for his life and teaching. To place Jesus in his proper historical context, as a Jew from Galilee in the early first century of our era, Bauckham looks at Jewish religion and society in the land of Israel under Roman rule. He explores Jesus' symbolic practices as well as his teachings, looks at his public career and emphasizes how his actions, such as healing and his association with notorious sinners, were just as important as his words. Bauckham writes that Jesus was devoted to the God of Israel, with a special focus on God's fatherly love and compassion, and like every Jewish teacher he expounded the Torah, but did so in his own distinctive way. After a discussion about the way Jesus understood himself and what finally led to his death on a Roman cross, Bauckham concludes by considering the significance Jesus has come to have for Christian faith worldwide.
Jesus: A Very Short Introduction
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Where the book soars is in Bauckman's introduction to Jesus as a historical figure ... there is a very good possibility that this becomes a standard text in university courses on Jesus and Christianity Anthony Le Donne, Theology Magazine
About the Author
Richard Bauckham is Emeritus Professor of New Testament Studies at the University of St Andrews, and a Senior Scholar at Ridley Hall, Cambridge.
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12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Jesus of Nazareth, or Jesus Christ as the billions of Christians worldwide know him, is the most significant person in history. His influence has been enormous and almost impossible to quantify. Aside from Christianity, many other religions have embraced him as a prophet, enlightened figure, or an important teacher and reform figure. More ink has been spilled on his life, and the importance of his life for others, than any other person. Thus, writing a very short introduction about Jesus would seem to be an impossible task. Nonetheless, this short book manages to capture the essence of Jesus's life and teachings, and present them in a way that will be approachable and illuminating to people from all religious or non-religious backgrounds.
Richard Bauckham approaches the subject of Jesus from a relatively objective perspective, but he by no means underplays the religious aspects of Jesus' life. On the contrary, it is impossible to understand Jesus without appreciating the substantial and central religious framework within which he operated. This book provides us with a glimpse of the religious and social trends that had shaped the first century Palestine, and explains how they relate to the life and mission of Jesus.
Unlike a lot of scholarship on Jesus over the past couple of centuries, Bauckham is not shy of basing most of what we really know about Jesus on the Gospels and the account that was presented there. Even more significantly, far from downplaying the Gospel of John as compared to the Synoptic Gospels, Bauckham posits that in many respects this is the most chronologically accurate Gospel and closest to the actual life path that Jesus trod. The result is a very well written book that presents a very cohesive and readable narrative.
As a Christian, I am always looking for more insights into the life and earthly ministry of Jesus. This short book does a marvelous job of reminding me of all the important themes and events in the life of Jesus as accounted by the Gospels. If, on the other hand, you are not a Christian and would like to read about Jesus from a source that is both respectful of its subject and not preachy, then this short book will be a great place to look.
Richard Bauckham approaches the subject of Jesus from a relatively objective perspective, but he by no means underplays the religious aspects of Jesus' life. On the contrary, it is impossible to understand Jesus without appreciating the substantial and central religious framework within which he operated. This book provides us with a glimpse of the religious and social trends that had shaped the first century Palestine, and explains how they relate to the life and mission of Jesus.
Unlike a lot of scholarship on Jesus over the past couple of centuries, Bauckham is not shy of basing most of what we really know about Jesus on the Gospels and the account that was presented there. Even more significantly, far from downplaying the Gospel of John as compared to the Synoptic Gospels, Bauckham posits that in many respects this is the most chronologically accurate Gospel and closest to the actual life path that Jesus trod. The result is a very well written book that presents a very cohesive and readable narrative.
As a Christian, I am always looking for more insights into the life and earthly ministry of Jesus. This short book does a marvelous job of reminding me of all the important themes and events in the life of Jesus as accounted by the Gospels. If, on the other hand, you are not a Christian and would like to read about Jesus from a source that is both respectful of its subject and not preachy, then this short book will be a great place to look.
14 of 16 people found the following review helpful
By The Layman
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Inspired writing, superlative editing, and brilliantly executed book design and manufacture makes this slim little book an all-around delight. Conveys more than academic tomes 10 times the length. Fits as easily in your pocket as it reads. Bauckman is never afraid to explore his ideas in depth, even some of his more exotic theories, but in this case, freed from the format of footnoted academia, RB proves he can write a popularly toned book for the thinking Christian. An interesting ragged right page format and a satin-smooth cover with fold in flaps makes this book a refreshing visual and sensual delight as well. No Kindle ever felt so good in your hands or on your eyes. Most importantly, Bauckman's depth of knowledge opens doors of understanding of the big picture, at the center of which you will find Jesus the Christ, in super sharp focus. Two thumbs up.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By W. Cheung
Format:Paperback
This very short book (just over 100 pages) contains all the essential elements: Jesus' background, his innovative teachings (in particular the notions of the "Kingdom of God", and God as "Abba/Father"), his own "Christology", and the consequence of his "Resurrection". It kind of rejetcs form criticism. Its perspective is traditional (e.g. quoting Papias of Hierapolis [p.15]). It has a reasonably comprehensive bibliography for readers to consult and dig further. Proferssor Bauckham's prose is engaging and never bores.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant portrait of the living Jesus.
This is a brilliant portrait of the living Jesus based on the eyewitness accounts of the gospels and letters of the New Testament. Short and significant!
Published 1 month ago by Chrisvanwyk
5.0 out of 5 stars
succinct but profound and original!
Bauckham has a special ability to clearly and concisely enunciate on the historical research on Jesus of Nazareth with originality and erudition.
Published 3 months ago by Anthony Catri
5.0 out of 5 stars
It is a good book
It is a good book. I bought 5 books for my friends. They like them and study much from them.
Published 4 months ago by Jun Cai
5.0 out of 5 stars
A superb introduction by true scholar
This is an exceptional book on the life of Jesus from a giant in the field of New Testament studies (amongst other disciplines). Read more
Published 6 months ago by Robert Turnbull
5.0 out of 5 stars
An Explanation for Any Kind of Reader
Bauckham is a well-regarded evangelical scholar with a wide readership, and this excellent book is evidence of why. Read more
Published 6 months ago by R. W. DeFord
5.0 out of 5 stars
Accessible and Informative Introduction to Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth, or Jesus Christ as the billions of Christians worldwide know him, is the most significant person in history. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Dr. Bojan Tunguz
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent
This is the best short explanation of what Jesus did and what his intentions were that I have read. It would suffice as an excellent intro to Jesus for anyone, either Christians... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Doug Bridges
