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Jesus: A Very Brief History
Part One: The History (What do we know?) This brief historical introduction to Jesus assesses his impact on the world as it was at the time and outlines the key ideas and values connected with him. It explores the social, political and religious factors that formed the context of his life and teaching, and considers how those factors affected the way he was initially received.
Part Two: The Legacy (Why does it matter?) This second part surveys the intellectual and cultural ‘afterlife’ of Jesus, exploring the ways in which his impact has lasted. Why does he continue to be so influential, and what aspects of his legacy are likely to endure beyond today and into the future? The book has a brief chronology at the front plus a glossary of key terms and a list of further reading at the back.
Part Two: The Legacy (Why does it matter?) This second part surveys the intellectual and cultural ‘afterlife’ of Jesus, exploring the ways in which his impact has lasted. Why does he continue to be so influential, and what aspects of his legacy are likely to endure beyond today and into the future? The book has a brief chronology at the front plus a glossary of key terms and a list of further reading at the back.
81 pages, ebook
Published April 20, 2017
19 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 24, 2020
So I wanted to read more Historical Nonfiction next year. I started early, oops.
It's short and sweet and gets to the point. It goes into just enough detail to be a gateway into further research. There's a list for further reading at the back as well as an index and a glossary.
I'm a history graduate so I appreciated actually going into something in that area again. I studied a much later period than this so it's also somewhat new.
Honestly I find it harder to review nonfiction. I would probably go into more in this area of study and am planning on reading the one I have on Judas soon.
It's short and sweet and gets to the point. It goes into just enough detail to be a gateway into further research. There's a list for further reading at the back as well as an index and a glossary.
I'm a history graduate so I appreciated actually going into something in that area again. I studied a much later period than this so it's also somewhat new.
Honestly I find it harder to review nonfiction. I would probably go into more in this area of study and am planning on reading the one I have on Judas soon.
June 4, 2019
A short yet detailed and rewarding look at the historical context of, and evidence for the life of Jesus.
The book does consider the various ancient texts that refer to the story of Jesus both within and (more numerous) outside of cannon, comparing and evaluating them using a secular historical approach. While the author takes a very agnostic approach to the actual person of Jesus, she remains respectful in tone both to the person of Jesus and to the traditions built around that person. The author uses this thread as the centre around which she brings in many fascinating facts about this little corner of the Roman world at a particularly interesting time.
The book does consider the various ancient texts that refer to the story of Jesus both within and (more numerous) outside of cannon, comparing and evaluating them using a secular historical approach. While the author takes a very agnostic approach to the actual person of Jesus, she remains respectful in tone both to the person of Jesus and to the traditions built around that person. The author uses this thread as the centre around which she brings in many fascinating facts about this little corner of the Roman world at a particularly interesting time.
August 3, 2020
Just as the title says; Jesus, a very brief history. A great book to read if you are about to dive into the history of, particularly early, Christianity. The various historical sources for the life of Jesus are mentioned and a few of the events that influenced the direction the faith would take. It really is very brief but hopefully there's enough here to make you curious to know more about the life and influence of one of the most significant figures in world history.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews