Jesus Books - Page 11

The Words of Jesus: A Gospel of the Sayings of Our Lord with Reflections by Phyllis Tickle

Phyllis Tickle

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 3 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

this is a very dangerous book 5 out of 5 stars.
27 of 29 people found this review helpful.

This is a dangerous book.

But these are dangerous words. They always have been, but we have forgotten and let them become comfortable through the centuries. Too comfortable.

Like The Sayings of Chairman Mao and the words of Confucius, the concentrated wisdom the Eastern mind works best undiluted and unexplained.

Jesus spoke just words, they didn't come from His mouth wrapped in narrative explanation. The words of Jesus were real conversations with real people. People close and intimate who shared the dusty roads with him, and also people who hung at the edge of curious crowds listening with skeptical ears.

The naked words ripped from the cocoon of expectations hit us the same way they hit the first ears that heard them. Intimate and corporate they work beyond reason to disturb the heart. Familiar words now new, shocking like unexpected words from a long known lover or spouse who changes your world with a word.

This is not a book to enter unwarned and unprepared. Expect to be shocked and angered and touched and changed. That is always what he intended. These are dangerous words.

Editorial Review:

What if you could encounter the words of Jesus on their own, lifted up from the surrounding narratives and presented in their full power and mystery? That’s the question Phyllis Tickle—one of America’s most beloved writers on Christian spirituality—asked when she set out to write what she calls a “Sayings gospel.” In The Words of Jesus Tickle has compiled and arranged all the sayings of Jesus from the first four books of the New Testament and the first chapter of the Book of Acts in a way that creates an entirely new kind of encounter with the texts. And she has accompanied those sayings with her own personal reflections and commentaries not just on the words themselves but on the One who spoke them.

The Mystical Life of Jesus: An Uncommon Perspective on the Life of Christ

Sylvia Browne

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 70 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Required reading for the entire human race! 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

This book should be required reading for the entire human race! Whether you are a Christian, a former Christian, or pretty much anyone curious about this man called Jesus, please read this book. Sylvia not only fills in the blanks on the years we are not told about, she clears up confusion about the ones we ARE told about. She delves into facts about the rewriting and editing of the bible, proof about Jesus' whereabouts before his ministry and so much more! Some of her info comes from her spirit guide Francince, but most of it comes from historical documents, and common sense.

For those who are afraid to read this book, and I know some people are, why be afraid? Sylvia does not question the basic faith, if anything (if you can read the book with an open mind) she strengthens one's faith potential. She does not try to tear down Christianity, the belief in Christ. All she is doing is trying to right some wrongs done to all of us when some people thought themselves fit to rape our scriptures and steal our history. Most of these things are not her opinions, ideas, etc. Much of this book (as I mentioned earlier) is based on facts readily available in historical texts.

You DO NOT NEED to defend the writers (mostly, if not entirely, unknown) and editors of the accepted (and incomplete) books of the bible in order to be a Christian. Christianity is about Christ and God, not about church leaders' political and financial advancements. Or at least it should be. Contrary to what appears to be a common belief, you CAN believe in Christ and God without believing the lies many churches have fed us over the years.

This book will inform you, and move you. Highly recommended!

Editorial Review:

Startling new archaeological discoveries and such groundbreaking cultural phenomena as The Da Vinci Code and The Passion of the Christ have sparked a renaissance in impassioned controversies about religion and the life of Christ. Now, Sylvia Browne, with the help of her spiritual guide, delivers the truth about Him, His teachings, and His works for God as she answers such provocative questions as:

- Was there a virgin birth? - Was there a Star of Bethlehem? - What did Jesus do for the first 30 years of his life? - What really happened at the crucifixion? - Was he married? Was he divine? - Is a Jesus lineage a possibility?

In Browne's own words, the answers may "rattle the cages" of her millions of readers-answers that could only have come from someone who has visited the afterlife.

Understanding the Difficult Words of Jesus: New Insights From a Hebrew Perspective

David Bivin, Roy Blizzard Jr.

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 31 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Good Start 4 out of 5 stars.
5 of 5 people found this review helpful.

This is a good start for those just learning that Jesus needs to be seen as a Jew and Hebrew. Bivin's other book on Jesus's Words is better because it goes into fuirther detail regarding what is in this book.

Interesting but lacking in useful details 2 out of 5 stars.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.

I looked forward to reading this book but am left with the feeling its more of a sophomoric essay than a useful guide to interpretation of the gospels. Its repetitive in its statements of evidence that the scriptures were of Hebrew origin, using the tried-and-true 'and this fellow said it was and so did that fellow...'. It has only a few examples that it repeats across several chapters. The whole concept that understanding idioms will help in scriptural analysis is certainly significant but this book lacks the depth required for it to be useful. I am hoping the author someday uses this tool in a serious manner and publishes his work.

Editorial Review:

This book clearly describes ways of understanding some original Hebrew and Greek techniques and discovering the true meanings of many of the words of Jesus. This book will be an important addition to your personal or group Bible study time.

Jesus the Messiah: A Survey of the Life of Christ

Robert H. Stein

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 7 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Excellent!! 5 out of 5 stars.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

A very well thought out and well researched study of the synoptic gospels. I'd highly recommend this book for believers and non-believers who have questions.

Great book. Stein covers a wide scope effectively 4 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

This book was used in a class titled Life & Teachings of Jesus and was easy to cpmprehend and covered a wide scope of information. I recommend it to anyone who wants to study the life of Jesus in great detail.

Interesting and Swift Survey of the Life of Christ 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

I enjoyed this book. Robert Stein discusses the life of Christ in layman's terms. He makes it clear from the get go that how you feel about the possibility of the supernatural is going to determine how you approach the data in the gospels.

Stein surveys the references to Christ in the secular literature of the period. He also looks at some of the partisan, non-canonical literature as well as texts like the Gnostic Gospel of Thomas.

Stein discusses the different criteria for determining the authenticity of a saying or event in the life of Jesus. Multiple attestation, the criterion of dissimilarity and others are examples of what to look for in studying the gospels. If something is written in the Gospels that would appear to put Jesus or the Gospel message in a questionable light (Jesus calling Peter "Satan," Jesus cursing the fig tree), it most probably authentic.

There are places within the book where I wish that Stein would take more of a stand. He concludes that at this time, there is no satisfactory explanation for why Quirinius was listed as the governor at the time of Christ's birth when it seems that he wasn't appointed to that position until later. He lists many options, but is cautious about adopting anything. But judging from Luke's accuracy elsewhere, why can't we simply say that Luke probably knows more about his world than we do? Although Stein doesn't say so, perhaps he would agree. He does point out that Luke has shown elsewhere to be trustworthy in his knowledge of history (Acts 5:37).

Stein is also reluctant to adopt a position on the two differing genealogies of Jesus and he feels that there is no way at the present time that we can reconcile John and the Synoptics concerning the timing of the Last Supper. He feels that history is on the side of Matthew, Mark and Luke about the Last Supper being a Passover Meal, but he cannot explain why John sees the meal as occuring the day before the Passover. But since John has shown throughout his gospel that he is more concerned with making theological statements about Christ than chronological statements, is it possible we can assume the same here? If John can transfer the timing of the cleansing of the temple from the end of Christ's ministry to the beginning of Christ's ministry for theological emphasis, then what's the big deal about bumping the Last Supper back one day for theological emphasis?

I understand that these are delicate and debatable issues, and I do appreciate that Stein lays out all the available possibilities. But Stein seems content to say in effect that we'll understand it better by and by.

Having said this, I still think the book is really good. Stein makes a compelling case for the historicity of the crucifixion and the death of Christ, and also for the empty tomb and resurrection of Christ.

Stein is a great evangelical scholar, and his books have helped me enormously in my own readings of the Gospels. This one is very good also, but at times, it raises more questions than it answers.

Editorial Review:

Robert Stein draws together the results of a career of research and writing on Jesus and the Gospels. Every episode in the life of Jesus is here treated with historical care and attention to its significance for understanding the life and ministry of Jesus. Clearly written, ably argued and geared toward the needs of students, this book will give probing minds a grounding in the life and ministry of Jesus.

Consider Jesus: Waves of Renewal in Christology

Elizabeth A. Johnson

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Total reviews: 4 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

AN EXCELLENT AND COMPLETE INTRODUCTION TO CHRISTOLOGY 5 out of 5 stars.
57 of 58 people found this review helpful.

Elizabeth Johnson presents a very well written and easy to read introduction to Christology for the new student of theology. She clearly explains the Christological definitions at the early Church councils, showing the errors that plagued the early church.

She presents a clear explanation of the meaning and implications of both: Ascending Christology and Descending Christology.

There is also a clear trace of the developments in Christology from the 50's up to the present time with Liberation and Feminist theology.

Johnson writes in the end, "Out of our own experience of salvation, our own telling of the story, our own praxis and prayer, we must name Jesus Christ again and claim him again for our own people, so that a living christology will be handed on to the next generation into the twenty-first century." I found these words to be encouragement for the reader to apply the story of Jesus of Nazareth to our everyday lives.

This is a MUST reading for any student of theology.

Editorial Review:

Consider Jesus is widely regarded as the finest general introduction to Christology. Adopted for adult education courses, classrooms, and seminars, this classic book, written by one of the leading theologians of our era, presents major themes about Jesus in clear and accessible language.

An Introduction to New Testament Christology

Raymond E. Brown

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Total reviews: 11 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

A Centrist Approach to New Testament Christology 4 out of 5 stars.
17 of 23 people found this review helpful.

Raymond Brown (1928-1998) was probably the best-known Catholic biblical scholar in the U.S. He was controversial because his views on the Bible were center to left, yet nonetheless his books earned the imprimatur of the Catholic Church and he even was appointed a member of the Pontifical Biblical Commission. While Fr. Brown appeared to support most of the Church's teaching, it's hard to imagine that his "critical" approach ever did much to increase the faith of Catholics.

AN INTRODUCTION TO NEW TESTAMENT CHRISTOLOGY (1994) is an excellent introduction to Christology from the "centrist" perspective. Brown hits on many of the standard topics in Christology such as the "titles" of Jesus, the resurrection, the messianic expectations of the Jews, and the like. (It is an introduction and therefore does not cover topics that are found in longer works.)

What is most frustrating is that while Brown discusses other views, he generally limits the options to the center/left perspective. For example, the synoptic gospels report that on at least three occasions Jesus predicted his death (Mk. 8:31; 9:31; 10:33-34 & par). What does Fr. Brown say about these? Well, "it is difficult to decide about Jesus' foreknowledge of his passion, crucifixion, and resurrection." [P. 49.] Now, if these predictions were simply "retrojected" by the early church, it is at least interesting to note that: (1) Jesus refers to himself as the "Son of man" in these passages - an expression which does not appear in the early church; and (2) there is no mention of the crucifixion or the atonement in Mark, which one might expect if they were later theological reflections put in the mouth of Jesus. Considering that Mark was probably the first gospel written, such arguments should carry some weight. They might not persuade non-believers, but if Brown is going to mention the findings of skeptics such as Todt and Higgins, at least he could find space for a paragraph or two to discuss the arguments I just mentioned (which, of course, aren't original to me.)

Editorial Review:

The leading U.S. Catholic scholar on the Bible explores the identity of Jesus in the New Testament.

The Unknown Life of Jesus Christ

Nicolas Notovitch

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Total reviews: 14 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Douglas and Max Müller's View 1 out of 5 stars.
6 of 7 people found this review helpful.

Archibald Douglas and Max Müller recognized Notovich's work as fraudulent, although it was not immediately clear (to Müller, at least) what the source of the fraud was. Perhaps the best thing is to read excerpts from the original, absolutely scathing account, from the Nineteenth Century academic journal itself (long out of copyright):

(from The Nineteenth Century, 39 (January-June 1896) pp. 667-677
THE CHIEF LAMA OF HIMIS ON THE ALLEGED 'UNKNOWN LIFE OF CHRIST')

"I was resident in Madras during the whole of last year, and did not expect to have an opportunity of investigating the facts respecting the Unknown Life of Christ at so early a date. Removing to the North-West Provinces in the early part of the present year, I |668 found that it would be practicable during the three months of the University vacation to travel through Kashmir to Ladakh, following the route taken by M. Notovitch, and to spend sufficient time at the monastery at Himis to learn the truth on this important question. I may here mention, en passant, that I did not find it necessary to break even a little finger, much less a leg, in order to gain admittance to Himis Monastery, where I am now staying for a few days, enjoying the kind hospitality of the Chief Lama (or Abbot), the same gentleman who, according to M. Notovitch, nursed him so kindly under the painful circumstances connected with his memorable visit.

Coming to Himis with an entirely open mind on the question, and in no way biassed by the formation of a previous judgment, I was fully prepared to find that M. Notovitch's narrative was correct, and to congratulate him on his marvellous discovery. One matter of detail, entirely unconnected with the genuineness of the Russian traveller's literary discovery, shook my faith slightly in the general veracity of the discoverer....

...I will now call attention to several leading statements in M. Notovitch's book, all of which will be found to be definitely contradicted in the document signed by the Chief Superior of Himis Monastery, and sealed with his official seal. This statement I have sent to Professor Max Müller for inspection, together with the subjoined declaration of Mr. Joldan, an educated Tibetan gentleman, to whose able assistance I am deeply indebted.

A more patient and painstaking interpreter could not be found, nor one better fitted for the task.

The extracts from M. Notovitch's book were slowly translated to the Lama, and were thoroughly understood by him. The questions and answers were fully discussed at two lengthy interviews before being prepared as a document for signature, and when so prepared were carefully translated again to the Lama by Mr. Joldan, and discussed by him with that gentleman, and with a venerable monk who appeared to act as the Lama's private secretary.

I may here say that I have the fullest confidence in the veracity and honesty of this old and respected Chief Lama, who appears to be held in the highest esteem, not only among Buddhists, but by all Europeans who have made his acquaintance. As he says, he has nothing whatever to gain by the concealment of facts, or by any departure from the truth.

His indignation at the manner in which he has been travestied by the ingenious author was of far too genuine a character to be feigned, and I was much interested when, in our final interview, he asked me if in Europe there existed no means of punishing a person |670 who told such untruths. I could only reply that literary honesty is taken for granted to such an extent in Europe, that literary forgery of the nature committed by M. Notovitch could not, I believed, be punished by our criminal law.

With reference to M. Notovitch's declaration that he is going to Himis to verify the statements made in his book, I would take the liberty of earnestly advising him, if he does so, to disguise himself at least as effectually as on the occasion of his former visit. M. Notovitch will not find himself popular at Himis, and might not gain admittance, even on the pretext of having another broken leg.

The following extracts have been carefully selected from the Unknown Life of Christ, and are such that on their truth or falsehood may be said to depend the value of M. Notovitch's story.

After describing at length the details of a dramatic performance, said to have been witnessed in the courtyard of Himis Monastery, M. Notovitch writes:

A fter having crossed the courtyard and ascended a staircase lined with prayer-wheels, we passed through two rooms encumbered with idols, and came out upon the terrace, where I seated myself on a bench opposite the venerable Lama, whose eyes flashed with intelligence (p. 110).

(This extract is important as bearing on the question of identification; see Answers 1 and 2 of the Lama's statement: and it may here be remarked that the author's account of the approach to the Chief Lama's reception room and balcony is accurate.) Then follows a long résumé of a conversation on religious matters, in the course of which the Abbot is said to have made the following observations amongst others:

We have a striking example of this (Nature-worship) in the ancient Egyptians, who worshipped animals, trees, and stones, the winds and the rain (p. 114).

The Assyrians, in seeking the way which should lead them to the feet of the Creator, turned their eyes to the stars (p. 115).

Perhaps the people of Israel have demonstrated in a more flagrant manner than any other, man's love for the concrete (p. 115).

The name of Issa is held in great respect by the Buddhists, but little is known about him save by the Chief Lamas who have read the scrolls relating to his life (p. 120).

The documents brought from India to Nepal, and from Nepal to Tibet, concerning Issa's existence, are written in the Pâli language, and are now in Lassa; but a copy in our language----that is, the Tibetan----exists in this convent (p. 123).

Two days later I sent by a messenger to the Chief Lama a present comprising an alarum, a watch, and a thermometer (p. 125).

We will now pass on to the description given by the author of his re-entry into the monastery with a broken leg:

I was carried with great care to the best of their chambers, and placed on a bed of soft materials, near to which stood a prayer-wheel. All this took place under the immediate surveillance of the Superior, who affectionately pressed the hand I offered him in gratitude for his kindness (p. 127).

While a youth of the convent kept in motion the prayer-wheel near my bed, |671 the venerable Superior entertained me with endless stories, constantly taking my alarum and watch from their cases, and putting me questions as to their uses, and the way they should be worked. At last, acceding to my earnest entreaties, he ended by bringing me two large bound volumes, with leaves yellowed by time, and from them he read to me, in the Tibetan language, the biography of Issa, which I carefully noted in my carnet de voyage, as my interpreter translated what he said (p. 128).

This last extract is in a sense the most important of all, as will be seen when it is compared with Answers 3, 4, and 5 in the statement of the Chief Superior of Himis Monastery. That statement I now append. The original is in the hands of Professor Max Müller, as I have said, as also is the appended declaration of Mr. Joldan, of Leh.

The statement of the Lama, if true----and there is every reason to believe it to be so----disposes once and for ever of M. Notovitch's claim to have discovered a Life of Issa among the Buddhists of Ladakh. My questions to the Lama were framed briefly, and with as much simplicity as possible, so that there might be no room for any mistake or doubt respecting the meaning of these questions.

My interpreter. Mr. Joldan, tells me that he was most careful to translate the Lama's answers verbally and literally, to avoid all possible misapprehension. The statement is as follows:

Question 1. You are the Chief Lama (or Abbot) of Himis Monastery?

Answer 1. Yes.

Question 2. For how long have you acted continuously in that capacity?

Answer 2. For fifteen years.

Question 3. Have you or any of the Buddhist monks in this monastery ever seen here a European with an injured leg?

Answer 3. No, not during the last fifteen years. If any sahib suffering from serious injury had stayed in this monastery it would have been my duty to report the matter to the Wazir of Leh. I have never had occasion to do so.

Question 4. Have you or any of your monks ever shown any Life of Issa to any sahib, and allowed him to copy and translate the same?

Answer 4. There is no such book in the monastery, and during my term of office no sahib has been allowed to copy or translate any of the manuscripts in the monastery.

Question 5. Are you aware of the existence of any book in any of the Buddhist monasteries of Tibet bearing on the life of Issa?

Answer 5. I have been for forty-two years a Lama, and am well acquainted with all the well-known Buddhist books and manuscripts, and I have never heard of one which mentions the name of Issa, and it is my firm and honest belief that none such exists. I have inquired of our principal Lamas in other monasteries of Tibet, and they are not acquainted with any books or manuscripts which mention the name of Issa.

Question 6. M. Nicolas Notovitch, a Russian gentleman who visited |672 your monastery between seven and eight years ago, states that you discussed with him the religions of the ancient Egyptians, Assyrians, and the people of Israel.

Answer 6. I know nothing whatever about the Egyptians, Assyrians, and the people of Israel, and do not know anything of their religions whatsoever. I have never mentioned these peoples to any sahib.

[I was reading M. Notovitch's book to the Lama at the time, and he burst out with, 'Sun, sun, sun, manna mi dug!' which is Tibetan for, 'Lies, lies, lies, nothing but lies!' I have read this to him as part of the statement which he is to sign----as his deliberate opinion of M. Notovitch's book. He appears perfectly satisfied on the matter. J. A. D.]...

Regarded, then, in the light of a work of the imagination, M. Notovitch's book fails to please, because it does not present that most fascinating feature of fiction, a close semblance of probability.

And yet, if I am rightly informed, the French version has gone through eleven editions; so M. Notovitch's effort of imagination has found, doubtless, a substantial reward. In face of the evidence adduced, we must reject the theory generously put forward by Professor Max Müller, that M. Notovitch was the victim of a cunning 'hoax ' on the part of the Buddhist monks of Himis.

...I do not believe that the venerable monk who presides over Himis Monastery would have consented to the practice of such a deception, and I do not think that any of the monks are capable of carrying out such a deception successfully. The departures from truth, on other points, which can be proved against M. Notovitch render such a solution highly improbable....

...I have visited Himis, and have endeavoured by patient and impartial inquiry to find out the truth respecting M. Notovitch's remarkable story, with the result that, while I have not found one single fact to support his statements, all the weight of evidence goes to disprove them beyond all shadow of doubt. It is certain that no such passages as M. Notovitch pretends to have translated exist in the monastery of Himis, and therefore it is impossible that he could have 'faithfully reproduced' the same.

The following "postscript" was amended to the article by Max Müller himself:

"...After having read, however, the foregoing article by Professor Douglas, I feel bound most humbly to apologise to the excellent Lamas of that monastery for having thought them capable of such frivolity. After the conrplete refutation, or, I should rather say, annihilation, of M. Notovitch by Professor A. Douglas, there does not seem to be any further necessity----nay, any excuse----for trying to spare the feelings of that venturesome Russian traveller. He was not hoaxed, but he tried to hoax us. Mr. Douglas has sent me the original papers, containing the depositions of the Chief Priest of the Monastery of Him is and of his interpreter, and I gladly testify that they entirely agree with the extracts given in the article, and are-signed and sealed by the Chief Lama and by Mr. Joldan, formerly Postmaster of Ladakh, who acted as interpreter between the priests and Professor A. Douglas. The papers are dated Himis Monastery, Little Tibet, June 3, 1894.

I ought perhaps to add that I cannot claim any particular merit in having proved the Vie inconnue de Jésus-Christ----that is, the Life of Christ taken from MSS. in the monasteries of Tibet----to be a mere fiction. I doubt whether any Sanskrit or Pâli scholar, in fact any serious student of Buddhism, was taken in by M. Notovitch. One might as well look for the waters of Jordan in the Brahmaputra as. for a Life of Christ in Tibet.

F. Max Müller.

November 15, 1895."

Editorial Review:

A Russian explorer of the 1890s visited a Tibetan monastery, where he heard of a "western Dalai Lama" who visited the region 2,000 years before. Nicolas Notovitch's discovery offers an intriguing, controversial account of Christ's life from the ages of 13 to 29, when Jesus reputedly studied in Asia among Buddhists.

Case for Christ--Student Edition, The

Lee Strobel

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 19 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Brilliantly misleading 1 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

Right off the bat, some of the claims in this book didn't pass the smell test, so I Googled both author Strobel and some of the "scientists" he interviewed. The inescapable conclusion is that Lee Strobel is falsely portraying himself as a skeptic in order to push his personal agenda. Most of his "scientists" are actually theologians or philosophers, and it seems that literally all of them are advocates of the "Intelligent Design" version of creation. Worse, he blatantly misrepresents such things as the opinion of Albert Einstein. His journalism is terrible, his science is phony and his book is disingenuous.

Easier read then the 'Adult' version 4 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

The Living Bible version of the origional. A very easy read with wonderful bible references. Not just for students.

Work of fiction. 1 out of 5 stars.
1 of 7 people found this review helpful.

The "true" Jesus speaks:

"Think not that I [Jesus] have come to send peace on earth: I come not to send peace, but a sword." (Matthew 10:34)

"But those mine enemies which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me." (Luke 19:27)

If you believe that a cosmic Jewish Zombie who was his own father and killed himself to save us from himself can make you live forever if you symbolically eat his flesh and telepathically tell him you accept him as your master, so he can remove an evil force from your soul that is present in humanity because a rib-woman was convince by a talking snake to eat from a magical tree you might want to see a doctor.

Editorial Review:

A student edition of Lee Strobel’s prize-winning The Case for Faith, created by the same writers, Strobel and Jane Vogel, who produced the popular The Case for Christ--Student Edition.

The Visions of the Children: The Apparitions of the Blessed Mother at Medjugorje

Janice T. Connell

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Total reviews: 24 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

The classic account of the appearances of the Blessed Mother at Medjugorje--now updated for the millenium

Like Lourdes and Fatima before it, Medjugorje has become a holy site for worshippers around the world, a place that will be remembered long after the twentieth century recedes into history.

In this edition, Janice Connell presents a new intruduction that places Medjugorje in the context of the millennium and suggests that the Blessed Mother's final appearance on Earth may indeed be at this small mountain village. The author tells what has happened to the six apparitioners since the book was first published, and the Blessed Mother's monthly messages have been updated through 1997. There is also a new list of Marian Centers across the nation.

The Visions of the Children features exclusive conversations with the six apparitioners who have been receiving, for more than fifteen years, visions and messages of the Virgin Mary, including extraordinary secrets about the final chapter in the history of the world. This book not only tells of the need for love and spiritual awakening, but casts a powerful perspective on the wholescale devastation in Bosnia during the last few years.

Excavating Jesus: Beneath the Stones, Behind the Texts: Revised and Updated

John Dominic Crossan, Jonathan L. Reed

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 30 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

A lot of potential unrealized 2 out of 5 stars.
11 of 14 people found this review helpful.

I read this book for a class on the Greco-Roman world. The book looks very interesting from the outset, attempting to do what is not done very often: combining the efforts of archaeology and Biblical exegesis to gain a more accurate picture of what is happening specifically in the Gospels. They cover what they believe are the ten most important discoveries (or so, they kind of smudge the lines a little bit by combining certain discoveries together, but they're up front about that, so it's ok) of both archaeology and biblical exegesis. Using these examples and many others, they attempt to show what Jesus was about and how his "kingdom movement" compared to that of John the Baptist's as well as the current empire of Rome at the time. They come to some controversial conclusions, but they attempt to back everything with evidence they give.

There are two major problems with Excavating Jesus. One problem is the form of the book. To put it bluntly, it is a poorly written book. In an attempt to put as much information into the book as they can, they tend to get lost in the information and the point they are trying to make is lost within the plethora of evidence and information. If you're looking for a casual read that will not require much effort on the part of the reader, this is not a book to pick up. The reader is required to sift through a lot of information and sometimes guess at what the authors are trying to get at because their point is not stated clearly enough. The chapters are very large, usually around 80 pages, and though each chapter is trying to focus on a specific point, by the time the reader is finished, they are somewhat lost as to what point the authors were trying to make. The thesis of the book itself is not easily discernible. The method is made very clear, but ultimately overshadows what the authors are trying to do. So the important messages that the book is trying to get across are lost in poor writing and direction.

The other major problem with the book is the conclusions. They are not bad because they are controversial; the authors make it a point to try to back everything they present with evidence. What makes the conclusions problematic is that they are all fairly extreme. If there is any room to doubt something, the authors immediately jump to the farthest conclusion. For example, there is little evidence to suggest that there is a synagogue in Nazareth at the time Jesus would have lived there as Luke records. The authors automatically conclude that the events that take place in chapter 4 of Luke didn't happen. That's a fairly extreme jump to make, and there are other plausible explanations that can be made. The book does this quite a bit.

Overall, the book is not good. It's worth reading if one is willing to take the time to sift through the poor writing, but if you're looking for a simple book about how archaeology and exegesis can work together, I would look elsewhere, though the selection is somewhat thin.

One positive aspect of the book is in the discourse of the first chapter about the James Ossuary. This is a fascinating discussion and I think an important on when it comes to good archaeology and exegesis. However, it'd be better to check the book out from a theological library and read that selection rather than purchase the book for that section.

Editorial Review:

Follow the premier historical Jesus authority and a brilliant archaeologist as they search the texts and stones of antiquity for the real Jesus.