Jesus

by David Flusser, R. Steven Notley

Flusser's monumental biographical study of the life of Jesus is the fruit of a life-time of personal research. His philological-historical approach, which applies findings from the Dead Sea Scrolls, historical inquiry, and recent archaeological discoveries, calls for a reconsideration of how we read the literary sources. What results is a compelling portrait of Jesus that gains additional depth because it is viewed within the context of Jewish thought and life in the first century. Both Jewish and Christian readers will be challenged by Flusser's work.

Genres: History, Biblical Studies, Religion, Theology, Nonfiction, Biography, Christianity

324 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1968

Reviews

[Mateicee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Das Buch beschäftigt sich mit dem historischen Jesus auf Basis verschiedener Historischer Quellen die auch auf Grund ihrer Glaubwürdigkeit genauer bewertet werden. Das Buch lässt sich sehr gut lesen und regt auch zum selbstständigen Nachdenken und Bewerten an. Ich hatte meinen Spaß beim lesen.

[Steven H · Rating 5 out of 5]

A FAMOUS JEWISH SCHOLAR'S STUDY OF THE LIFE OF JESUS

David Flusser (1917-2000) was a professor of Early Christianity and Judaism of the Second Temple Period at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. This 1969 book is one of the most famous studies of the life of Jesus by a Jewish scholar, and he begins by saying, "The main purpose of this book is to show that it IS possible to write the story of Jesus' life."

He observes that it was appropriate for Jesus to have been referred to as, or called `rabbi' or `teacher' by the people since such titles "had not yet become restricted to expert and ordained teachers." He explains, "Few people seem to realize that in the synoptic gospels, Jesus is never shown in conflict with current practice of the law---with the single exception of the plucking of ears of corn on the Sabbath." Flusser observes that in such areas, "His replies were not so revolutionary as the uninitiated might imagine. His saying about purity and impurity ... is completely in harmony with the views of the moderate scribes." "Both Jesus and Hillel before him saw the Golden Rule as a summary of the law of Moses."

One of the most interesting points Flusser makes is that there were other "miracle-workers" in Jesus' time, according to Jewish tradition. "Rabbinic literature tells us of four such men, who operated before the destruction of the second temple. Two of these were Galileans..." One was a laborer named Abba Hilkia, and one of the Galileans was Rabbi Hanina bar Dossa.

Flusser says, "The most wicked among (Pharisees) would never have resolved to kill Jesus because he had performed a work of healing on the sabbath---a permissible deed anyway." Therefore, "We can also deduce that it was not the Sanhedrin who condemned Jesus to death from the fact that he was buried at neither of the two graves reserved for those executed by order of the supreme council." He later adds, "It would seem, therefore, that Jesus' tragic end was preceded by no verdict of any earthly judiciary. It was the outcome of the grisly interplay of naked spheres of interest, in the shadow of brutal antagonisms, and to outward appearance, it had no real connection with the man Jesus and his cause."

This fascinating book is of great interest to anyone interested in the historical Jesus, Jewish/Christian dialogue, or New Testament history.

[Tamás Tóth · Rating 5 out of 5]

David Flusser was Orthodox Rabbinical Jew, but so closely to Jeshu ha-Nozri and the Christianity, to the faith of Jesus prophetship, and His Resurrection, but Flusser keep one step from the Christianity...

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some interesting background information, but ultimately marred by fairly pervasive source/redaction criticism that is ultimately too confident.

[Elmar · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Germany this book was published by Rowohlt Taschenbuch Verlag. The English version was published by The Magnes Press. I've read the book in German. David Flusser first published his biography of Jesus already thirty years ago and then shortly before his death in the year 2000 he published a totally revised book.

This book is about the Jewish Jesus. And David Flusser portrays the historical person Jesus, based on the facts and very profoundly. The author gets the reader thinking and sparks his interest in further information on the historical person Jesus.


David Flusser hat diese Monographie über Jesus, die in Deutschland im Rowohlt Taschenbuch Verlag erschienen ist,schon vor über dreißig Jahren erstveröffentlicht und dann kurz vor seinem Tod im Jahr 2000 noch einmal völlig überarbeitet und neu veröffentlicht.

Im Zentrum dieses sehr gut lesbaren Buches steht der jüdische Jesus. Diese Schilderung des historischen Jesus ist sachlich und gleichzeitig tiefsinnig. David Flusser gibt dem Leser viele Denkanstöße und weckt die weitere Neugierde.

[Dmcconkey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written by a Jew who was part of the Jerusalem School of Synoptic Studies. Interesting to look at Jesus from a Jewish viewpoint – also shows the difference in which we interpret the Scriptures in relationship to the Lord Jesus.

[Erika · Rating 5 out of 5]

recommended by P Maurice VIDAL