Another Jesus: reconstructing the original teachings about Jesus

I have backed your book and see the relevancy of it in modern Christianity. My work, An Underlined Experience, deals with some similar ideas, such as breaking down our culture's definition of Christianity and replacing it with what God always intended. I am intrigued to know that people are discerning through issues such as this today, and I hope that God's people can come nearer to Him through this.

Hi Joe,

Thanks for your comments. I agree that the surrounding culture is important--indeed, it is one of the major reasons Jesus was turned into a god. There have been excellent books written about the politics of that era--"When Jesus Became God" by Rubenstein comes to mind--and so I chose to go a different route and investigate the issue solely from a doctrinal standpoint. Because I took this route, I've had opportunity to discuss magical thinking in the ancient world, the practice of deifying humans, etc.

Nonetheless you have an excellent point. Before finishing the book, I may write a brief introduction about the world during this timeframe....or I may resort to recommending other books that do a particularly good job on that topic.

Thanks so much.

I've read the first chapter and what you have is an interesting book. I'm backing it because its a topic that interests me. However, ou've onl hinted at the historical backdrop that Jesus found himself in. I think you need to explain it a bit better. As a Classics major I had a module in this issue and it really is facinating and I think its an important part to your study of Jesus. The Roman Emperor Augustus was a deity and all subjects in the empire were required to pay him homage - the Jews did, the Christians didn't - why? And were duly persecuted. At the time of Jesus' death only 120 people were followers and believers in Jesus Christ (Lane-Fox, R. 2007, The Classical World), but when Pliny the Younger was ro-Consul of Britain some 150 years later he was writing to Trajan asking what was he to do with both wealthy and poor Romans, slaves and Britons who were declaring themselves Britain, "Christianity has infected all levels of society like a plague". Why were his teachings more likely to catch on than other messiahs that emerged at that time.

Another source you should turn to is Tacitus who in his annals makes a reference to Jesus Christus.

Joe

Dear Jamie, I love that your are rightly dividing the Word of Truth & quoting scriptures to point to only believing what the Bible says, as your portray in your pitch. :) Thank you for all of your research & titles & in depth explanations, all leading to our Saviour & our God. :) Amazing all of the reference books you used :) - this is a totally exhaustive study, all to lift up the Living Word. :) I have read, commented on, & put your book on my watchlist to read & to also at least 24 hour back when space opens on my bookshelf. :) I have also gold ******-rated your book :) - could you please ****** & back my memoirs/testimony book, in return? :) Thank you from the bottom of my heart. :) Love, Susie :) p.s. every ******-ing & backing moves our books closer to the editor's desk :) - click on author's name, scroll down on their profile page & click on their book cover or title :) - & your are on your way :)
None of this comment is copy/pasted & is written my best from my heart. :)

You have some promising material here. Your research is off to a good start and your citations are helpful to readers who want to know more, or who want to check your sources. There are several perceptive comments in your text, such as the fact that we read Scripture through our cultural lens, the misconception about OT names for God being used as proof of Jesus' divinity, your discussion about the names Elohim and Yahweh. All of this is good material for those who want to dig deeper into biblical studies.

Two comments that may strengthen your text. 1) I'm a little unclear about your audience. The style is written in an academic fashion. If these are your intended readers, you'll want to beef up your bibliography. If you are writing for lay people, you may want to consider framing your text in a story format. 2) I'm not sure I understand your overall framework, i.e. what you hope to accomplish. This leaves me grasping to figure out where you are going. So, as mentioned above, you have some perceptive information, but they feel a little like disconnected puzzle pieces. I need the picture of the box, so I can say, "Oh, this goes here...."

I hope these are helpful comments. Before you follow any of it, you might want to check out my book, "The Three Religions in the Bible," particularly my introduction (which is chapter 3 on authonomy) to see if you think "framing" the overall work is helpful. (BTW, how did you like Friedman's book? I use his work frequently.)

Best wishes. I'm going to "back your book" and will check back later. If you have time to peruse mine, I'd appreciate it, since are genres are similar. Any feedback would be thankfully received.

Tim

:) comment to follow after I've read your book - read & commented on 2 days later :)

you put your views down very well, using effective skill. two thousand years of messing with scripture and cultural trappings have left us with a jesus very unlike the one we view in our minds today. however l do believe in the devine Jesus, and the Jewish Jesus. this book could be a surprise hit...lt is on my watchlist for now...
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