Jesus Before God: The Prayer Life of the Historical Jesus

Hal Taussig, a member of the Jesus Seminar has written an interesting book in which he applies the techniques of the seminar on the Lord's Prayer. He examines each line of the payer in light of the fragmentary evidence about the historical Jesus and attempts to put each thought in its context. The result is an interesting, and sometimes unsettling picture of Jesus as a wandering sage responding to the real needs and desires of the people around him. I personally disagree with some of his opinions (e.g. that Jesus was not a healer) but his reasoning is clear and lucid. HIs work helped me think about the Lord's Prayer and praying in general in new ways.

Once I heard Hal Taussig speak at the Westar Institute, I was eager to read his book on the Prayer Life of the Historical Jesus. Since Hal subscribes to the new portrait of Jesus and makes use of the Q form of the "Lord's prayer," he provides the original core of that prayer, which he expounds in five segments: Abba-Father; Your Name be revered; Let your Domain come; Give us the bread; Forgive our debts. Taussig helps us to understand how Jesus prayed, how we should pray today, and outlines a new theology of prayer. This is an important book for anyone who is interested in the way that Jesus would have prayed. I recommend it very highly.