The Mind of Jesus

by William Barclay

Jesus suffered, doubted, hoped, feared, dreamed, wept, knew loneliness, planned, and built. William Barclay achieves in The Mind of Jesus his aim "to make the figure of Jesus more vividly alive, so that we may know him better and love him more." More than a study of the historical Jesus, this book radiates the author's devotion to him and breathes a real, compassionate understanding of the Christ who walked among and suffered for common humanity. Barclay's enthusiasm quickly draws the Jesus. Written in a vivid, immediate, almost conversational style, The Mind of Jesus conveys with fresh impact the complete humanity and perfect divintiy that evokes Barclay's -- and ultimately the reader's -- wholehearted devotion.

Genres: Theology, Nonfiction, Christianity, Christian, God, New Testament, Spirituality

352 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1976

About the author

WIlliam Barclay was a Scottish author, radio and television presenter, Church of Scotland minister, and Professor of Divinity and Biblical Criticism at the University of Glasgow. He wrote a popular set of Bible commentaries on the New Testament that sold 1.5 million copies.

Reviews

[Tom Brennan · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read the first 70 or so pages. Pretty good. Till I got to the chapter on miracles. He's a flaming theological liberal, denying/explaining away Christ's miracles.

That's enough for me. I'm done.

[Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Barclay--probably best known for his New Testament commentaries--combines history, theology, and spirituality to provide a portrait of Jesus in his historical context. It's neither pure scholarship nor pure devotional, but manages to interweave these genres mostly successfully. Some of his conclusions would be challenged, I think, by more recent research, and his approach to the NT could be seen as insufficiently critical (though some would consider him a flaming liberal). And it's not always clear what his historical or methodological assumptions are. That said, the picture he paints is coherent and compelling--Barclay's Jesus is thoroughly rooted in his time and place but also reveals God's eternal love for humanknd.

[Larry Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

all of barclay's books are excellent; no one knows the historical background and the original languages better, but he bugs me when he explains away miracles

[Angus Mcfarlane · Rating 5 out of 5]

The mind of Jesus

Compared to the number of books that address Christian spirituality, there are few that get into what, or who, Christianity is all about in a way that is orthodox yet still original and fresh. This is not necessarily a bad thing: there is much about Christian living, Christian history, commentary etc., that is worthwhile reading. But getting a biography of Jesus that digs much beyond the credal Christ is hard to come by and so much more valuable as a result. Why? Because removed from the historical context of Jesus himself (and the early church to some extent also), the sympathy and empathy of the Christian view of God can become lost, the concrete displaced by a concept.

This book by Barclay rates amongst those which enable a glimpse of the earthly Jesus, in his time and place. Two others I can recall are 'Jesus the same' (a reprint of a book from c1900 not in broad circulation) and 'Jesus the radical' (also no longer in circulation when I last looked). The first chapter is classic Barclay, akin to his work 'the masters men', in this case building a biography of John the Baptist which turns out to be relatively comprehensive and left me wondering if a film has been or could be made about him building on this material.

This is then built on as the various aspects of Jesus life are illustrated. The various chapter titles outline this, but the ones that stood out to me were: 1. The kingdom of God (nothing new nowadays but interesting to see the concept going back to Barclays time); 2. The miracles (sensible modernity with respectful spirituality); 3. Man and sin (reflection on the unique view Jesus introduced to the world of his day and ours); 4. Jesus' self chosen title (one of the best explanations of 'son of man' I've read/heard). There is also much that is well outlined throughout barclay's other commentaries, such as the nature of the Pharisees, scribes, etc.

This is refreshing, a bit of a hidden gem, and I found it very worthwhile reading.

[Bill Hooten · Rating 4 out of 5]

William Barclay has always been one of my favorite writers, and that doesn't mean I always agree with everything that he says. What it does mean is that his books help to have an understanding of the background of what is being talked about, nuances in the language that I can't see, and how the culture affected what was being said and done. "The Mind of Jesus" did not disappoint me, as that is what I read it for. I don't read Barclay for doctrinal and theological positions, but his books help me to get a better grasp of the setting. I have thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I have had it for a long time, but never read it until now. I'm glad that I did.

[Carole · Rating 3 out of 5]

As noted by others, Barclay does not believe in miracles but insists that they are stories that are meant to teach us some truth. I do agree that the purpose of a particular miraculous story being included in the narrative is to show us some truth and it is important to understand what is being taught, but how does he explain the hordes of people following Jesus if the healings and miracles were not really taking place?
Apart from that an interesting book especially for me who has difficulty relating to Christ as a man rather than a cosmic superhero.

[Pamela Tucker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first was saved in 1972, so this one was of the first books I ever read of William Barclay. I was a young growing Christian, and did not understand spiritual things. Yet I knew God was spiritual and Barclay has a way of making the truth stand out on any discussion.

The mind of Christ is what helped me develop and understand Jesus was like no other ever in time. So I just kept with thinking He has His own theology. I call it Christology.

Who can have the mind of Christ?

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books on the life of Jesus I have ever read, and one of the best books I have ever read, period.

[Tena Redenbaugh · Rating 2 out of 5]

I do not agree with many points of Barclay's, but he does raise some good questions. Barclay also provides a good look at what it was like to live during the time of Christ.

[Ken · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well researched and thought provoking book. Good Sunday School/small group material.

[Craig Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

In depth view to the character of Jesus backed up with historical references to what it was like living in that time. Thoroughly recommend it. You will learn so much

[Na · Rating 4 out of 5]

a. Jesus as a human
b. Liked the writing style - 1, a, - logical and clear
c. imagination-provoking
d. colorful - with the descriptions of the background

[Bill Apel · Rating 5 out of 5]

An essential book for Christians