Jesus: A Revolutionary Biography

Dr. Crossan's hugely popular book has come to represent the much larger war of words between "conservative" and "liberal" Christians and the scholars who argue their respective viewpoints. As a lapsed Catholic and former altar boy struggling for twenty years with my beliefs, I have only one thing to say about this allegedly "non-Christian" book: It completely renewed my faith. It took away all the miracles, all the divine... Read Full Review

Tom Hinkle's review below is long on criticism of Crossan's work but offers absolutely zero evidence to contradict anything Crossan says. Hinkle seems offended that Crossan does not give Jesus a special place. Crossan's work is a work of history, not of faith. Any reasonable historian, looking at the evidence, would conclude similar things to Crossan. Take the crucifixion. The Romans used this form of execution as pure... Read Full Review

This is perhaps the easiest book to understand Crossan's insights of the Historical Jesus. He uses the same frame of reference of previous works (Antrhopology, History, Literature), but unlike his other books this is readable, and one can appreciate his insight into the life of Jesus, whether we agree or disagree with his conclusions. In my case, "Jesus: A Revolutionary Biography",was a helpful introduction to other... Read Full Review

One who feels he has cornered the market on religious truth will not take kindly to having anyone disagree with his interpretation of the Bible. Such a person is poorly equipped to review a this book.A book about belief has value if the ideas resonate with the reader and provide insight into our place in the world.There's no way anyone can know exactly who Jesus was, what he said and what he did. Everything we have on Jesus... Read Full Review

Crossan is skeptical about the historical Jesus. He studied cross cultural anthropology, Greco-Roman-Jewish history, and literary work. Crossan explores and compares the story of Jesus' birth. He points out many discrepancies between the Gospel of Matthew and Luke. Jesus is also compared to Caesar (similarity in births),the Cynic, and to Sophia.(Jewish Wisdom). His careful analysis of the crucifixion,burial, and resurrection... Read Full Review