Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Jesus Before Christianity Paperback – September 1, 2001
There is a newer edition of this item:
- Print length196 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherOrbis Books
- Publication dateSeptember 1, 2001
- Dimensions5.5 x 0.5 x 8.5 inches
- ISBN-101570754047
- ISBN-13978-1570754043
The Amazon Book Review
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now
Similar items that may ship from close to you
Editorial Reviews
Review
“This book, with its telling title, is the most compelling book about Jesus that I have ever read.”―Sister Helen Prejean, author, Dead Man Walking
“The most accurate and balanced short reconstruction of the life of the historical Jesus.”―Harvey Cox, author, A New Heaven: Death, Human Destiny, and the Kingdom of God
“If you are going to read only one book on Jesus this year, this is the one.”―America
About the Author
Product details
- Publisher : Orbis Books; Anniversary,Subsequent edition (September 1, 2001)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 196 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1570754047
- ISBN-13 : 978-1570754043
- Item Weight : 9.2 ounces
- Dimensions : 5.5 x 0.5 x 8.5 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #246,240 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #18,613 in Reference (Books)
- #41,868 in Christian Books & Bibles
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read author blogs and more
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on Amazon-
Top reviews
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
From a theology standpoint, some statements seem to me to contradict the Catholic understanding of Jesus and his mission. However this has provided many points for further reflection and discussion.
I have read books exploring the real Jesus by Marcus Borg, Geza Vermes, Brian McLaren, Dominic Crossan and other more recent authors, and frankly, I was not expecting any new insights from this book.
It is wonderful, and for its small size delivers a picture of Jesus from the more historical perspective that seems, to me, could have been written last year.
It strikes me how many of the insights of the above mentioned authors and Nolan are "in the same ball park".
They point out that Jesus taught the "kingdom of God" as a way of living and being that God wants to exist NOW on this earth. Jesus has little to say about heaven and how to get there. Jesus cares for the poor; opposes the domination systems; wants his followers to form a community of love, caring, and faith -- not in the future, but in this very present.
This book is very short, but very rewarding. Make time for it.
Top reviews from other countries
I bought the book because it is one of the readings recommended for the graduate course in Theology that I am following, and am loving it, especially for the author's clear way of showing the "human being Jesus", in his time and culture.







