Why Jesus Died

by Gerard S. Sloyan

Jesus of Nazareth died on a cross at the hands of Roman justice around the year 30 C.E. Thousands of others perished in the same way, and many people before and since have suffered far more gruesome torments. Why then is Jesus, asks Gerard Sloyan, uniquely and universally remembered for his suffering death? In this timely, expert, and fully engaging account, this widely acclaimed biblical scholar and historian adroitly discusses:

-- how Jesus died
-- who was responsible for his death
-- how his death came to be seen as redemptive
-- how accounts of his death figured in the rise of anti-Jewish sentiment

For all who wondered about what really happened in the passion and death of Jesus and how his legacy grew, Sloyan's book will provide reliable and enlightening reading. With thoughtful study questions and a list of further reading, this short book is perfect for individual or group use.

Genres: Theology

Paperback

First published April 1, 2004

About the author

Gerard S. Sloyan is Professor Emeritus of Religion at Temple University and Visiting Professor of Religion and Religious Education at the Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C. He is author of many volumes, including The Commentary on the New Lectionary (1975), John in the Interpretation series (1992), The Crucifixion of Jesus (1995), and Preaching from the Lectionary (2004). (Barnes and Noble)

Reviews

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picked this off the shelf on a whim on Good Friday. It is a mostly academic exploration, a excerpted version of a larger book, of why Jesus was killed, how the early church came to see that death as redemptive and how his death was blamed on Jews. It comes from a critical/historical perspective that would seem heretical or foreign to evangelicals but I found it interesting to explore these ideas about scripture and the early church.

[Bilbo · Rating 1 out of 5]

Liberal Christianity.
Denies "Original Sin" like the heretical Pelagian scheme.
Denies a real substitionary atonement while making the typical liberal strawman arguments.