Jesus the Messiah: A Survey of the Life of Christ [Hardcover]

Robert H. Stein (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 30, 1996

The time is ripe for a new account of the life of Jesus. It has been over twenty-five years since an evangelical New Testament scholar has written a textbook survey of this type. Today the landscape of Jesus and Gospel studies has been radically transformed by new questions and critical challenges. No less remarkable is the contemporary renaissance of our knowledge of the world of Jesus. In Jesus the Messiah Robert Stein draws together the results of a career of research and writing on Jesus and the Gospels. Every episode in the life of Jesus is here treated with historical care and attention to its significance for understanding the life and ministry of Jesus. Clearly written, ably argued and geared to the needs of students, Jesus the Messiah will give probing minds a sure grounding in the life and ministry of Jesus.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Stein, professor of New Testament at Bethel Theological Seminary, here attempts to remove the study of the life and work of Jesus of Nazareth from the realm of historical-critical study that has marked the quest for the historical Jesus from Albert Schweitzer to the Jesus Seminar. Stein declares that Jesus' supernatural nature, confirmed through Jesus' miracle-working ability, is the proper starting point for a study of the life of Christ. It is necessary, he argues, to speak of the Jesus of faith rather than merely a historical figure whose life may be dissected by the scalpel of academic criticism. Rather than engage in polemics, Stein very carefully examines every episode in the life of Jesus, from his birth through his boyhood to his death and resurrection, in a quest to understand the life and ministry of Jesus in its first-century context as well as its meaning for 20th-century culture. Stein's thoroughly researched and well-informed study of the life of Jesus offers a good introduction for any reader interested in the historical Jesus.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Stein notes in the first chapter of this popular survey of the life of Jesus that "where you start determines where you finish." In this regard, it is significant that the author is an Evangelical New Testament scholar who employs historical-critical tools in his study of Scripture but remains "open to the supernatural." His survey attends to recent developments in historical Jesus research but follows the synoptic Gospels in narrating Jesus' life. Evangelical readers troubled by recent historical Jesus research will find Stein's discussion of sources of particular interest. His synthesis of the synoptic accounts is hardly groundbreaking, but it is accessible. Though there are no footnotes, each chapter is followed by a short bibliography that will guide readers interested in further research. Readers who start with Stein's account and his bibliographies may be predisposed to finish with an "Evangelical" portrait; those who wish to critically examine that portrait will need also to follow the trail of books not included among Stein's suggestions. Steve Schroeder

Product Details

• Hardcover: 290 pages
• Publisher: IVP Academic (October 30, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0830818847
• ISBN-13: 978-0830818846
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.2 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #171,988 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great overview of the Life of Christ, September 18, 2000

By 

E. Johnson (El Cajon, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Jesus the Messiah: A Survey of the Life of Christ (Hardcover)

I teach a college-level "Life of Christ" survey class and use this book as my text. It is clear, orderly, evangelical, and well documented, perfect for a learning environment such as a college classroom. The issues dealt with by Stein involve more than just his personal opinion (although he will tell you what he feels is the most likely interpretation). He does make a big point to explain different interpretations of various points of disagreement (such as the ethical teachings of Jesus). I find this to be much more honest and refreshing than merely ignoring opposing points of view. Stein supports everything with references from the Bible as well as numerous other books on the subject, many of which are unfortunately out of print. If you want a nondevotional survey on the Life of Christ, I know of no better book.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not Your Typical Survey; Scholarship Every Student Can Appreciate, September 29, 2009

By 

Keith Heapes "Heapester" (Racine, WI USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Jesus the Messiah: A Survey of the Life of Christ (Hardcover)

Robert Stein's book Jesus the Messiah (A Survey of the Life of Christ) is an excellent overview of the key events in the life of Jesus Christ. I have a number of surveys in my library, but this one is among the best I've ever used. Second to the content of the book, the arrangement of the information or its format is very important. I don't know whether to applaud Stein, his publisher, or both, but the arrangement of the content in this volume is outstanding, which makes it easy to make reference to and navigate through the book.

The book is technical in places, yet very readable at the same time. In his Introduction, Stein states that his work will not come from a "higher criticism" viewpoint, but rather from an honest study of the life of Christ, allowing the supernatural and miraculous character of the Gospels to speak for themselves. To enter a study of this kind with presuppositions that no miracle could have occurred is to deny the reality in the text and make it a less than honest study. Stein opens Part One by covering Key Issues in Studying the Life of Christ. This part contains a significant amount of technical scholarship that may bore some readers. Stein graciously admits the technical preliminary information (The Role of Presuppositions in Studying the Life of Jesus, Sources for Studying the Life of Jesus, and The Problem of Chronology) may not interest all readers and invites those not interested to jump over this part and start with Part Two. Doing so will not diminish the value of the study.

One characteristic of Stein's presentation I found very helpful, and unlike other books of this kind, was the addition at the end of each chapter of an outstanding summary of what had been covered in the chapter and a detailed list of references Stein had consulted during his research. By doing this, each chapter becomes an individual study in itself, and if desired, the additional information provided may be used to carry on further study of related subjects. From a wider perspective, Stein carefully builds one chapter together with the next in the chronological history of the life of Christ, beautifully capturing the entire story presented in the gospels. He also makes no excuses for his use of secular historical literature of the period, as well as extra-biblical, Gnostic, and apocryphal sources. In each case, these sources are clearly identified as such.

Stein's book is not one to rush through. I found it a luxury to savor each section of each chapter, then taking a day or so to digest what I had discovered. His excellent scholarship and straightforward writing style made this a very rewarding study. At times, Stein would, after a detailed discussion of alternate viewpoints, clearly present what he thought was the logical choice. Then, in other cases, he simply presented the arguments and left it to the reader to draw out the salient points most consistent with the character of Jesus Christ and the gospel record. At times, I felt like a student back in a classroom again being taught how to think biblically, weighing the data carefully and then coming up with the relevant facts leading to the point of the text. This was a refreshing challenge.

Whether looking for a textbook, reference material, or an opportunity to do more than a survey or overview studying of the Gospels and discover what lies beneath the surface, you simply can't go wrong with Robert Stein's outstanding book, Jesus the Messiah (A Survey of the Life of Christ). Highly recommended!

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Terrific Survey of the Life of Christ, October 18, 2008

By 

Trevin Wax - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Jesus the Messiah: A Survey of the Life of Christ (Hardcover)

Bob Stein's survey of the life of Christ stands out among other works on the Gospels in the way he summarizes both the teaching and the life of Jesus. It is remarkable how much helpful material Stein is able to include in a relatively brief book.