An Educated Man: A Dual Biography of Moses and Jesus

by David Rosenberg

From this best-selling author comes a magisterial new a dual biography of the preeminent figures of Judeo-Christian civilization overturning conventional views of Moses and Jesus as humble men of faith. By reanimating the biographies of Moses and Jesus in their historical context, Rosenberg reads their narrative as a cultural—rather than religious—endeavor. He charges that Moses and Jesus were "educated" men, steeped in the literature and scholarship of their day. There were no old or new testaments for them, only a long history of writing and writers. When scholars and clergy quote Moses and Jesus, they routinely neglect to inform us that Jesus is quoting the Hebrew Bible, often in the manner that Moses quoted Egyptian medical texts. The remarkable ability of both men to recall and transform a wide range of sources is overlooked. Where did they get these profound educations? Part biography, part critical analysis, An Educated Man challenges us to envision what defines "an educated man or woman" today—and how understanding religious history is crucial to it. Rosenberg offers a sympathetic approach to why we need Judeo-Christianity—and ultimately convinces us that the life of Jesus is unthinkable without the model of Moses before him.

384 pages, Hardcover

First published October 20, 2009

About the author

David Rosenberg is an American poet, biblical translator, editor, and educator. He is best known for The Book of J (with Harold Bloom) and A Poet's Bible, which earned PEN Translation Prize in 1992. The Book of J stayed on The New York Times bestseller list for many weeks.

Reviews

[Lonny Sanford · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is written somewhat of a long text to point out a few similarities between Jesus and Moses. The author takes the standpoint that Moses was in direct contact with God and wrote the Books of Moses with God over his shoulder for Jews. Where as Jesus was God and wrote the New Testament books for Christians. He points out other similarities like getting angry where Moses sees the gold calf and gets angry while Jesus sees the money changers at the temple and gets angry to flip over the tables. A well written book and I see his point of view but could have been a little easier to read for the masses. Also could have gotten to the main points a little faster. Also could have told more about the lives of both men. He also writes a letter to the pope disputing his book which takes a lot of guts. I don't know if this was ever sent to the pope but so be it.