Synopses & Reviews
Offering a unique introduction to the historical person Jesus of Nazareth, respected New Testament scholar William Herzog traces the history of discussion and scholarship of the historical Jesus, including that of the recent and very public Jesus Seminar. He does so, however, with an eye toward the theological. No other introduction is tied so closely to the biblical texts. By exploring in depth Jesus' words--the parables--and Jesus' deeds--miracles, Herzog presents a holistic picture of Jesus that will explain how Jesus' followers would have understood his miracles and his role as prophet. With its accessibility and clear connections to what the gospels are saying, Prophet and Teacher will appeal to general readers with little theological background and be a popular primary text in undergraduate and seminary classes.
Synopsis
Herzog is writing an introduction for seminary and college students to the discussion about the historical Jesus. He reports on the findings of the Jesus Seminar and also traces other scholarly work in Jesus studies, but with an eye to the theological. He asks what difference the Historical Jesus makes in our understanding of the gospels -- and what difference this Jesus should make in our lives today. This volume takes the results of Herzog's two Jesus books and, in summary fashion, makes them available in an introductory textbook. Herzog integrates his study of the words of Jesus (parables) with that of Jesus' deeds (miracle stories) to present a holistic picture that will go toe to toe with Crossan, Borg and Wright for the intro market
About the Author
William R. Herzog II was formerly Sallie Knowles Crozer Professor of New Testament Interpretation at Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School in Rochester, New York. His books include Parables as Subversive Speech: Jesus as Pedagogue of the Oppressed; Jesus, Justice, and the Reign of God: A Ministry of Liberation; and The Faith of Fifty Million: Baseball, Religion, and American Culture, all published by WJK.