Jesus: A Historical Portrait

by Daniel J. Harrington

Was Jesus a feminist? Who really killed Jesus? Did all those miracles actually happen? How do we know who Jesus is? How are we supposed to know what Jesus really said? How does Jesus' Judaism fit in with our salvation as Christians?

Questions about the life and times of Jesus Christ, one of the most written-about people of all time, continue to intrigue us two millennia after his death. Between the vagueness of the canonical Gospels and the sensational claims made in modern films and books, what is a Christian to believe about the only Son of God?

Employing a popular take on current New Testament scholarship, Jesuit scholar Father Daniel Harrington explores difficult as well as less complicated issues surrounding the life of Christ. By helping us to place Jesus in a historically accurate context, Father Harrington helps us to better understand the real Jesus, and ultimately, our salvation.

Fascinating sidebars and engaging questions for reflection and discussion make A Historical Portrait a must-have book for the individual, small group or classroom.

Genres: Religion

136 pages, Paperback

First published August 8, 2007

About the author

Rev. Father Daniel J. Harrington, SJ, was a professor of New Testament studies and chairman of Biblical Studies at Boston College’s School of Theology and Ministry. He received a PhD in biblical languages and literatures from Harvard University. A past president of the Catholic Biblical Association, he wrote more than two dozen books about the Old Testament and the New Testament.

Reviews

[Cathryn Conroy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who was Jesus? While almost everything we know about him is exclusively from what was written in the four Gospels, more can be extrapolated when his life and work are analyzed in relation to the history, culture, and politics of the first century times in which he lived.

And that is just what the late Daniel J. Harrington, a Roman Catholic priest and professor of the New Testament at Boston College School of Theology and Ministry, has done in this succinct and fascinating book.

From why it was so radical and potentially scandalous for Jesus to have women following him to why Jesus taught lessons using parables to why he was considered a threat by the political authorities, Harrington analyzes Jesus's ministry in light of the history of his times. Perhaps the most interesting chapter is on Jesus's Resurrection and the proof found in history for what had to have been viewed as a most audacious claim made by the first Christians.

Best of all, you don't have to be a theologian to read and appreciate this book, since it was written for lay readers. It is an ideal way to place Jesus of the Gospels in a historically accurate way in the times in which he lived to better understand what he did and why.

Note No. 1: While there are some Roman Catholic teachings in the book, they are minimal. This really is an ecumenical text; Christians of all denominations will find the book to be useful.

Note No. 2: There are several typos in the Kindle version in which the first word of a sentence is missing. It's usually easy enough to figure it out, but I found it annoying.

[Andy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good overview of Jesus life from a historical perspective. Nothing too in depth but gives you a very good feeling about the time, the social interactions and what it was like to be under Roman rule. If you're looking for some background to this era this would be a nice quick read to get you started.

[Neil Crowle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent brief study of what we can be fairly certain about the historical figure of Jesus. It was a very clear and readable examination of the topic.

[Monday · Rating 5 out of 5]

5🌟 from an Atheist!

I had to read a few chapters of this book for class, but the author did such a good job that I finished it all. This book was intended for churchgoers or so I was told, but anyone even slightly interested in history or religion would find it engaging. Harrington puts Jesus in a historical context as a historical figure, stripping him of his divineness (Well, mostly). What I appreciate the most is his attempt to remain neutral, to not make active claims about any Christian beliefs, and trying to sketch Jesus’s life through reliable Jewish, Roman, and early Christian sources. However, in the chapter where he talks about Jesus’s resurrection, it seemed to me that he was gently nudging us to agree on it.

Overall, a pleasant read. Highly recommend it to any Christian and/or history buff.

[Marilyn T. McLauchlan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great clarity about the unknowable Creator God who I ttust in Faith that whatever comes next will be as generous and forgiving as this wonderful, !oving, and forgiving as the ftee gift of His

Great c!aroty about the Creator God who I trust in Faith to be as forgiving and loving in whatever comes next as He has bee in this wonderful gift of life..

[Harry · Rating 5 out of 5]

A solid and accessible look at the historical Jesus. Well structured and based on a series of journal articles. Good for a 10-minute read/meditation each day for a couple of weeks.

[Jean Lupinacci]

Simple, insightful book for anyone.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another book I had to read for school.