Jesus the Radical: A Portrait of the Man they Crucified

by R.T. France

Some sought his death. Others left everything to follow him. Who was this Jesus, this son of a carpenter turned wandering teacher? Why did he provoke such extreme reactions? And why does he still do so today, more than two thousand years after his death? Jesus the Radical highlights the impact of Jesus against the backdrop of life in first-century Judea, with its customs, its Messianic hopes, its multi-faceted Judaism and its Roman overlords. Here are many fascinating insights into the story you thought you knew. "Sensitive and compelling . it confronts the reader with Jesus and lets him decide what responses to make." -Christianity Today R. T. France has taught at London Bible College and was principal of Wycliffe Hall, Oxford, from 1989 to 1995. He is the author of Matthew in the Tyndale New Testament Commentary series, The Evidence for Jesus, The Living God, and Jesus and the Old Testament.

Genres: Christian, Christianity

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1975

About the author

Richard Thomas France was a New Testament scholar and Anglican cleric, and Research Fellow in the Department of Theology and Religious Studies, University of Wales, Bangor.

Reviews

[Michael Culbertson · Rating 3 out of 5]

RT France presents a synthesis of the gospel narratives, with elements of their historical context. The presentation isn't a synopsis (in the sense of a side-by-side comparison of the texts) or a narrative, but rather something of an analytical summary of the material in the four gospels, which brings together into one place relevant and related details from all four sources in a very helpful way. France begins and ends with a chronological treatment of the life of Jesus, but treats the main part of Jesus' ministry thematically, instead of chronologically. The work will particularly appeal to those with an orderly, analytical disposition. France does not shy away from giving due (and respectful) consideration to modern, nontraditional interpretations and arguments about the life of Jesus (for example, in terms of whether the miracles occurred), even though in most cases he finds the evidence in favor of the traditional understanding. I think France's work would be very helpful for getting an overview of the material in the gospels for study, but there does seem to be a little something lost in abandoning the narrative form. In the preface, France says he was aspiring to write a gospel for our modern day; and while I find his work helpful, I'd say it is perhaps helpful as a supplement to the original gospel narratives for readers of today.

[Richard Angelus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two things will always happen when someone meets the real Jesus of the Bible: accept Him or reject Him. Of course, one can be undecided but not for long because decisions have to be made soon or later when it comes to the person and identity of Jesus (to ignore Him is to reject Him). He demands a verdict! As R. T. France (1938 - 2012), a renowned New Testament scholar, writes about the change that happened to Nathaniel when he met Jesus: “That is the sort of thing that happens when Jesus is around. People find their prejudices shaken. Some of them respond by digging themselves deeper into the trenches. Others find themselves, to their amazement, abandoning the preconceptions of a lifetime, and they are never the same again.” By faith, I know why Jesus is irresistible: He is the divine Son of God, the gracious Son of Man, and the wonderful Savior of the world. But these truths, although can be supported by the Scripture, can only be accepted fully by faith. So, what about Jesus in His humanity, in the context of history, that is also irresistible? Or to put it another way, why Jesus was controversial and phenomenal in His lifetime on earth? And why does Jesus still do so today, more than 2,000 years later? This book can help us to understand - as an introduction, not comprehensive studies - Jesus in His historical context and background.

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[Sylvain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have read the French translation.
'Un Portrait de Jésus le Christ"
Éditions Grâce et vérité 1988
ISBN 2-85331-037-X

Très bon livre sur l'environnement et les grands thèmes de la vie de Jésus.
Contient en Appendice un résumé de l'historicité des Évangiles.

[Bob Wolniak · Rating 4 out of 5]

A synthesis and harmonization of the gospels providing a portrait of Jesus organized into chapters along thematic lines. Insightful contextual comments help set the scene for each chronological section. I use it especially around Easter time when I teach. I am reminded of Tom Wright's popular level The Original Jesus, though each has unique material.