Jesus Then and Now: Images of Jesus in History and Christology [Paperback]

Marvin Meyer (Author), Charles Hughes (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1563383446 | ISBN-13: 978-1563383441 | Publication Date: March 1, 2001

In this engaging collection of essays conservative and liberal theologians and scholars engage each other in a dialogue about the place of faith, the nature of history, the character of literary texts, and the purpose of theology. While some essays focus on the historical context of Jesus' life and work, others focus on the ways in which the later Christian church established belief in the life and work of Jesus as a proof of faith. Included here are voices that question the value and meaning of Christology in a post-Holocaust world, voices that converse about Jewish and Islamic understandings of Jesus, and others that "save Jesus from those who are right." These moving essays offer a survey of the best in historical Jesus scholarship and contemporary Christology. Contributors to the volume include: James M. Robinson (Claremont Graduate University); Colin Brown (Fuller Theological Seminary); N. T. Wright (Westminster Abbey); John Dominic Crossan (Emeritus, DePaul University); Robert Funk (Jesus Seminar, Westar Institute); Jonathan Reed (University of LaVerne); John Hick (University of Birmingham); Charles Hughes (Chapman University); Richard Swinburne (Oxford University); Karen Torjesen (Claremont Graduate University); Ronald Farmer (Chapman University); Carter Heyward (Episcopal Divinity School); Didier Pollefeyt Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium); David Sperling (New York University); F. E. Peters (New York University); and Lloyd Geering (Victoria University, New Zealand). Marvin Meyer is Professor of Religious Studies at Chapman College and is the author of The Gospel of Thomas: The Hidden Sayings of Jesus, The Unknown Sayings of Jesus and other books. Charles Hughes is Associate Professor of Religious Studies at Chapman College and is the author of studies on philosophy of religion and theology. For: General audiences; undergraduates; graduate students; professors>

Editorial Reviews

Review

"An extraordinarily diverse collection of articles on the cutting edge of historical Jesus research, feminist and process Christology and interfaith discussions of the significance of Jesus. Jesus Then and Now will be of great interest to scholars and laymen from many theological and ideological perspectives." --Kathleen E. Corley, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh (Kathleen E. Corley )

"In this volume, the enduring power of Jesus of Nazareth is once again demonstrated. An assortment of Jesus scholars, ranging from those called ‘traditionalists’ to those called ‘radicals’ have penned their deepest convictions in their own words. This book's beauty lies in the fact that each writer speaks for himself or herself, allowing the reader to form a judgement apart from the demonizing distortions that make so much of the current ecclesiastical debate. As such, Jesus Then and Now will contribute greatly to the future of Christianity." --John Shelby Spong, author of Here I Stand: My Struggle for a Christianity of Integrity, Love and Equality (John Shelby Spong )

"This is an excellent compilation of the images of Jesus in history and Christology bearing fruit for each reader when reciting the Apostles Creed and the Lord’s prayer. A valuable volume for every library." -- Raymond B. Knudsen, reviewing for The Counselor, March 20, 2001 (Raymond B. Knudsen Counselor, The )

"... wide-ranging and highly diverse collection... largely nontechnical and accessible to a wide audience... includes a helpful index—a rare aid... Recommended for all libraries supporting work on Jesus; upper-division undergraduates through faculty and researchers." -- P. K. Moser, Loyola University of Chicago, reviewing for CHOICE, July 2001 (P. K. Moser Choice )

"--this collection of essays offers a broad range of current perspectives on Jesus from historical, bibical, and theological points of view...The enduring value of the volume is to illustrate the compelling interest that Jesus holds for such a diverse ensemble of people and viewpoints."--The Bible Today (Bible Today, The )

"[A] Singularly facinating, college-level look at the artistic vision human beings have had of Jesus Christ throughout the ages. Jesus Then and Now does not limit itself to any era, or even to the religion of Christianity, for its also encompasses images and perceptions of Jesus in Judaism and Islam…. Jesus Then and now is very highly recommended for both scholars and non-specialist general readers with a serious interest in the history of Christiaity and evolving perspectives of Jesus Christ." --Midwest Book Review Jaanuary 13th 2002 (Midwest Book Review, The )

"An extraordinarily diverse collection of articles on the cutting edge of historical Jesus research, feminist and process Christology and interfaith discussions of the significance of Jesus. Jesus Then and Now will be of great interest to scholars and laymen from many theological and ideological perspectives." --Kathleen E. Corley, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh (, )

"In this volume, the enduring power of Jesus of Nazareth is once again demonstrated. An assortment of Jesus scholars, ranging from those called ‘traditionalists’ to those called ‘radicals’ have penned their deepest convictions in their own words. This book's beauty lies in the fact that each writer speaks for himself or herself, allowing the reader to form a judgement apart from the demonizing distortions that make so much of the current ecclesiastical debate. As such, Jesus Then and Now will contribute greatly to the future of Christianity." --John Shelby Spong, author of Here I Stand: My Struggle for a Christianity of Integrity, Love and Equality (, )

"This is an excellent compilation of the images of Jesus in history and Christology bearing fruit for each reader when reciting the Apostles Creed and the Lord’s prayer. A valuable volume for every library." -- Raymond B. Knudsen, reviewing for The Counselor, March 20, 2001 (, Counselor, The )

"... wide-ranging and highly diverse collection... largely nontechnical and accessible to a wide audience... includes a helpful index—a rare aid... Recommended for all libraries supporting work on Jesus; upper-division undergraduates through faculty and researchers." -- P. K. Moser, Loyola University of Chicago, reviewing for CHOICE, July 2001 (, Choice )

From the Publisher

In this compelling collection of essays, conservative and liberal scholars engage each other in a dialogue about the place of faith, the nature of history, the character of literary texts, and the purpose of theology as they relate to the historical Jesus.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Trinity Press Int'l (March 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1563383446
• ISBN-13: 978-1563383441
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,782,786 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Marvin Meyer is one of the foremost scholars on gnosticism, the Nag Hammadi library, and texts about Jesus outside the New Testament.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Singularly fascinating, January 13, 2002

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Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jesus Then and Now: Images of Jesus in History and Christology (Paperback)

Jesus Then & Now: Images Of Jesus In History And Christology edited by Marvin Meyer (Professor of Religious Studies at Chapman College) and Charles Hughes (Associate Professor of Religious Studies at Chapman College) is a singularly fascinating, college-level look at the artistic vision human beings have had of Jesus Christ throughout the ages. Jesus Then & Now does not limit itself to any era, or even to the religion of Christianity, for its also encompasses images and perceptions of Jesus in Judaism and Islam. Extensive annotation reflects the vast amount of scholarly research that has gone into this presentation of the myriad, often conflicting views of Jesus that have persisted through the ages. Jesus Then & Now is very highly recommended for both scholars and non-specialist general readers with a serious interest in the history of Christianity and evolving perspectives of Jesus Christ.