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Rabbi Jesus: An Intimate Biography
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Average Rating:  out of 72 Reviews
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Price: $15.95
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Sale: $6.20
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Manufacturer: Image
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EAN (European Article Number): 9780385497930
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Number of Items: 1
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Binding: Paperback
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Author: Bruce Chilton
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Publisher: Image
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Dewey Decimal Number: 225
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Publication Date: 2002-02-26
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Reading Level: 352
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Description: Bruce Chilton presents Rabbi Jesus as "the first comprehensive, critical biography of Jesus to date." Though historical Jesus scholars have "demolished the secularist myth that Jesus was a figment of faith," and have begun to describe his ministry in the context of first century Judaism, Chilton (a professor of religion at Bard College and an Episcopal priest) believes they have not gone far enough. He argues that Jesus was "an inspired rabbi with an exclusively Jewish agenda." Thus, "everything Jesus did was as a Jew, for Jews, and about Jews." Rabbi Jesus patiently explores these notions in a straightforward, accessible style, drawing on a wealth of Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic, Coptic, and Syriac texts. Many of his arguments are new, and many of them are convincing. Most of them will also make the majority of both Christians and Jews sufficiently uncomfortable as to justify Chilton's striking description of his own work, taken from the book's Foreward: "I sometimes feel as if I am cross-dressing: transgressing basic categories that define who we are [as Christians and as Jews] and how we differentiate ourselves in the world." --Michael Joseph Gross
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Customer Reviews
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Review Summary: Jesus |
Date: 2009-01-06 |
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Details: Rabbi Jesus: An Intimate Biography by Bruce Chilton basis a lot of his information on scripture but also incorporates a lot of his own interpretation too. Chilton feels that Jesus visited John The Baptist many times. John The Baptist according to Chilton was his mentor and taught Jesus many spiritual lessons. The author takes many other liberties in regard to Jesus' life.
There is a beautiful new book about God, Jesus, faith and what we will do in the after-life entitled "The Enlightenment, What God Told Me After One Million Prayers: A Message for Everyone," by John H. Eagan. I just finished it. It's really great and deals with God, the creator, Jesus' teachings, and His Passion. It brought me to tears. I think the readers of Chilton's book will really enjoy The Enlightenment.
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Review Summary: Thoroughly Disappointed |
Date: 2008-08-26 |
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Details: While the author quotes extensively from scripture to prove some points, he totally discounts other scripture (often in the same chapter and book). I was insulted, as a Christian, by the way he portrayed my Lord as a sniveling coward. |
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Review Summary: Know what you're getting into |
Date: 2008-05-18 |
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Details:
I liked reading this book. It was engaging, introduced new views and took risks. However, you need to know what you are getting into. As many reviewers have pointed out (positively and negatively) the author is writing a biography, with limited references.
I have read a number of historical studies of Jesus. Though I am amateur, not a scholar, I can see behind-the-scenes of the scholarship and on which side the author falls. Like anything else, I agree with some, disagree with others, and others I'll set aside as interesting and withhold conclusion. My point, though, is that without that background a reader either has to be ready for a historical fiction read or be dissappointed. This book does not review the various points of view and present argument and evidence leading to conclusions. The notes somewhat make up for this. However, they generally point toward other works.
The author does speak several languages and is familiar with the scholarship, so the reader will get a lot of tidbits here and there. As other reviewers mention, Chilton uses a bit or writer's license with things like character's perspective (such as the Ciasphas quote above) and even in Jesus' appearance. Other bits of information are engaging and enlightening. Among these are Jesus' leaving his family during his family's visit to the temple at age 12, his discipleship under John the Baptist, his travel in the Decapolis, a different timeline for passion "week", a different understanding of the eucharist (to name a few). In these things - as well as in describing the historical context of Galilee, Judea, the Roman rule, temple sacrifice - the author shines. His translations are also a treasure in this book.
The other trouble with the work, though - and the reason a more scholarly tome may be preferred - is that Jesus in inevitably multi-faceted. Chilton's focus on Jesus' status as an outcast illegitimate child and on his estatic experiences is engaging, but leaves aside other perspectives. The dissappointment here is that the jacket of the book and editorial push the "placing Jesus in Jewist context" concept, which would be better served on a more scholarly tome.
Some people deride the author's use of sources, including non-canon works and later Jewish writings. He addresses some of this in the end notes. This rubs some people the wrong way. I find them interesting, and am willing to grant him thier use. He also relies more heavily on John than some other works (again, covers this briefly in an endnote).
All in all, for people who are prepared for a biography style read with limited notes or for people who just enjoy reading this stuff and are willing to grant the author some license, this book is an enjoyable read. For others, it may still be a good read, depending on your purpose.
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Review Summary: The most challenging biography of Jesus I've seen |
Date: 2008-04-01 |
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Details: Chilton possibly outdoes the whole host of Jesus Seminar scholars in his quest to uncover the real Jesus. His account is learned, sensitive, and viscerally dramatic. The tension and exitement are palpable, and the questions are arresting. For example: "What Jew would tell another to drink blood, even symbolic blood?" The Torah, Chilton notes, forbids it in several places such as Genesis 9:4. The Mishnah records an ancient Jewish abhorrence at the very thought, stating that the most heinous desecration of sacrificial ritual possible for a priest was, "if he slaughters in order to eat from its flesh and drink from its blood". (p. 252)
At Chilton's hands a whole set of challenging alternatives arise as to what Jesus meant. This is the most thought provoking biography of Jesus I've seen.
--author of "Different Visions of Love"
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Review Summary: A Very Plausible Narrative |
Date: 2008-02-28 |
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Details: If you've ever wanted the straight poop about Jesus, this is probably as close as you'll ever be able to come. Before reading this book, you'll find it helpful to familiarize yourself with Ezekiel's Chariot Vision (Merkabah) and Zechariah's visions because, according to the author, these visions were at the core of Jesus' beliefs and motives.
It seemed to me that the closing chapter was a rather flimsy attempt at apologetics. Otherwise I found the book immensely intriguing and informative.
Gene L Warner, author of ...
Solutions for Secretaries of Small NPO's
The Manitou Passage Story
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