Zealot
The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth
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3.9 • 992 Ratings
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- $4.99
Publisher Description
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • From the acclaimed author of No god but God comes “a lucid, intelligent page-turner” (Los Angeles Times) that challenges long-held assumptions about Jesus.
“Riveting . . . [Reza] Aslan synthesizes Scripture and scholarship to create an original account.”—The New Yorker
Two thousand years ago, an itinerant Jewish preacher walked across the Galilee, gathering followers to establish what he called the “Kingdom of God.” The revolutionary movement he launched was so threatening to the established order that he was executed as a state criminal. Within decades after his death, his followers would call him God.
Sifting through centuries of mythmaking, Reza Aslan sheds new light on one of history’s most enigmatic figures by examining Jesus through the lens of the tumultuous era in which he lived. Balancing the Jesus of the Gospels against the historical sources, Aslan describes a man full of conviction and passion, yet rife with contradiction. He explores the reasons the early Christian church preferred to promulgate an image of Jesus as a peaceful spiritual teacher rather than a politically conscious revolutionary. And he grapples with the riddle of how Jesus understood himself, the mystery that is at the heart of all subsequent claims about his divinity.
Zealot yields a fresh perspective on one of the greatest stories ever told even as it affirms the radical and transformative nature of Jesus’ life and mission.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
The person and work of Jesus of Nazareth has been a topic of constant interest since he lived and died some 2,000 years ago. Much speculation about who he was and what he taught has led to confusion and doubt. Aslan, who authored the much acclaimed No god but God: The Origins, Evolution, and Future of Islam, offers a compelling argument for a fresh look at the Nazarene, focusing on how Jesus the man evolved into Jesus the Christ. Approaching the subject from a purely academic perspective, the author parts an important curtain that has long hidden from view the man Jesus, who "is every bit as compelling, charismatic, and praiseworthy as Jesus the Christ." Carefully comparing extra-biblical historical records with the New Testament accounts, Aslan develops a convincing and coherent story of how the Christian church, and in particular Paul, reshaped Christianity's essence, obscuring the very real man who was Jesus of Nazareth. Compulsively readable and written at a popular level, this superb work is highly recommended.
Customer Reviews
Facts
I didn't like the previous comment: keep in my he is a muslim. Dr. Aslan is a professor in History of religions. He has a Theology degree from Harvard where he studied among other subjects, the New Testament. His books are well written and are based on the facts. Many Christian authors have written books about Middle East and Islam, so I believe someone with Aslan's credentials can definitely write about life of Jesus .
A must read
As an ordained minister, I was compelled to read this book simply to address concerns from the congregation. Dr. Aslan has penned a fascinating work that is a scholarly and historical masterpiece. There are no attacks upon faith within, rather one will find an intriguing historical perspective. Invest the time to read the book and though you may not agree with all of the conclusions you will certainly find it was worthy of the time. Bravo Dr. Azlan.
Interesting perspective
I enjoyed the journey of this book. Worth reading.