I have started a thread discussing the books I’ve written for broader audiences. My first actual “trade book” was Jesus: Apocalyptic Prophet of the New Millennium (Oxford University Press, 1999) (uh, that would be 25 years ago!). Here is how I explain the book and it’s raison d’etre in the Preface. In case you wonder — I still hold the same basic views of Jesus now that I did then, and still find the arguments I adduce convincing.
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Preface
When anyone has asked me why I’m writing a book about the historical Jesus, I’ve usually replied, “Well, it’s about time someone did.”
Actually,
I just looked up the title pages of a couple of your books. They are both “by Bart D. Ehrman” and not “by Bart D. Ehrman, Ph.D.” I’m beginning to think that “…, Ph.D.” part is code for: “I’m writing on a topic way outside my expertise, but I’m really really smart so therefore I’m an authority! Trust me!”
Real scholars don’t need to over-advertise their credentials. Thanks for doing what you do!
I think more commonly it means something like “My GOD I had to work hard for these credentials!!”
Jesus: Apocalyptic Prophet was most meaningful to me. I had lost the Jesus of Faith. It no longer made sense. You gave me access to the Jesus of History. This initiated an interest that continues to this day.
I thank you!
Hey Bart, if you updated this book, is there anything you would add in light of recent scholarship? I’m thinking particularly about Jesus, a life in class conflict by James Crossley. Thanks!
I can’t think of anything that has changed my basic thesis or arguments, no.
Hi bart
In 1 corinthians 12 Paul says he does miracles but could he mean it in a sarcastical sente because he says he is just as good as the so called superapostles and he didnt think they did miracles?
He’s reminding the Corinthians of what htey experienced, so presumably it wouldn’t work as an argument if in fact they saw nothing.
Does Paul ever mention jesus doing any supernatural things (prophecy , miracle) and if so wouldent it make him a secondary eyewitness or something like that because he was in contact with peter.
No, he doesn’t. It’s one of the striking absences in Paul.
When I read it 10 years ago I found so many of jesus^ sayingsand priorities made sense at last..why was he in such a rush to bring his message to his prople and even what he meant about the Reign of God. It also made him more human foe me..I had earlier realised that being God didn’t exempt him from human ignorance or cultural influences like Jewish culture or apocalyptic thinking. But that didnt mean he was a fanatic.I’m very grateful for Bart’s and Schweitzers insights and however follow my faith along the lines of Christianity as per John’s gospel while treasuring Mark as well. It’s not easy to incorporate Barts wonderful book into faith life but it provided a template for deeper understanding of jesus historical life and priorities. Amazing.
This is a great book. I’ve reread it numerous times. And, despite the craziness (at least in retrospect) of Jesus’s apocalypticism, his message is very compassionate and consistent. In other words it makes sense.
July 10 is my birthday and I’m going to consider the book a birthday present. Thanks.
In fact for latinomerican liberation theology the historical Jesus as Apocalyptic Prophet fits perfectly well. The kingdom of god is in the hands of christian (the living corpse of Christ) to build it. Including all people of good faith. The cross is the donation of life for the sake of humanity life in all its dimensions (the kingdom) until the end of times. I do not know any LT follower to lost his faith for the historical Jesus. I guess that the catholic origins of LT helped because scripture is always interpreted through life, community and theology (speaking about God). From our perspective USA obsession with scripture is a craziness pathology that from our relative material poverty is non understandable for a prosperous country like the US.
After 20 years of reading every Jesus book I can find, this one is still the definitive book on the Jesus of history. I am re-reading it now and it paints a very clear picture of who Jesus was and what we can know about what he said and did.
And as you say above, every point is supported by reasons and evidence – and they all make sense. They all fit together to provide a coherent picture.
I also often listen to various podcast to see if there’s some angle or information about Jesus that you haven’t presented. And I must say its very rare that I find anything significant. I recommend this book to anyone wanting to know what we is knowable about the historical Jesus.
It also makes scholarly research available for laypersons. I sometimes wonder if maybe there’s room for a even shorter book – Dummies guide to the Historical Jesus – for people who want an even shorter summary.
I am a monotheist who views the Prime Mover of all Creation to be an Unknowable Unknown, EXCEPT for the Extraordinary Beauty of what has been Created in the Universe, on Planet Earth, and by gifted artistic humans. I have found some wisdom in all sacred scriptures, but everything written about theology has no appeal for me. John Baptizer, Jesus Anointed, Evangelist Paul, and Gospel Mark all expected Gd’s Kingdom to arrive during their own generation. Well, we all make mistakes.
After a terrible combat mission in Viet-Nam 1971, when I was alone and forsaken with desperate guilt and despair, an apparition of Jesus appeared to me, like a bolt of lightning, and told me to stop the killing. Was this a psychological or meta-spiritual experience? I do not know. But for more than 50 years, this encounter has fueled my quest for the historical Jesus and my devotional love for the Beauty of Creation.
Dr. Bart, Jesus encountered many scribes during his ministry, some of whom became followers. Perhaps some of these scribes recorded first-person accounts that were circulating among believers. There is no evidence for this, but surely a converted scribe would write because writing was his craft.
Your thoughts please.
Which scribes are you thinking of who became his followers? Scribes of course were not authors but copyists, so the question is still who could “compose” books like the Gospels. (My students can copy a Charles Dickens novel, but not in a million years could they write one)
Why my comment is awaiting moderation since July 12, 2024 ?
If your comment was for Judy Siker, she has been having serious technological difficulties and may not be able to respond for some days still. If it was for me, you better repost it, since I’ve tried to answer everything I’ve received but possibly have missed some.
Hi Moderator
I suspect my post appeared facetious which is why you havent approved it. It wasnt meant to be.
I love the book. My last paragraph are thoughts around making that knowledge accessible to people who arent prepared to read a lengthy book on the topic. Maybe you could that paragraph if you’re uncomfortable with it
crt112
Sorry — I am not able to reply every day — sometimes it takes a few! I hope I did reply!
From my first reading of your book ‘Jesus, Apocalyptic Prophet’ I have found your argument persuasive. However, are there points in Jesus’ reported sayings where you feel that that message is not always consistently presented, please?
Not in the teachings that I think we can establish as historically reliable. There are inconsistencies among his teachings are recorded in the Gospels, of course, all over the map!
I am currently listening to this book. Often you refer to the documents Q, M, And L. Am I right that they actually do not exist? If they don’t exist, can you explain how you are referencing them? Thanks
Ah, I explain in the book. There are compelling reasons for thinking that Matthew and Luke used the same source for many of their sayings of Jesus, and we call it Q; and for thinking they had other sources of information (so M and L). We aren’t saying they have survived, just that they one time time did, just as we know for lots of authors in the ancient world that they were presenting sources that no longer exist — often they’ll even tell us their titles!
Another question. If Jesus was just one of the many apocalyptic prophets in the first century, can you explain the main reasons why the historic Jesus of Nazareth became divine according to his followers and Christianity exploded?
I deal with this inmy book How Jesus Became God. The followers of Jesus came to think he had been raised from the dead, almost certainly because one, two, or more of them claimed/thought they saw him alive after his death. That started the entire avalanche that became Christianity.
“Jesus, Apocalyptic Prophet” along with “The Historical Figure of Jesus” by E. P. Sanders were the two books that most influenced me. The former is still Bart’s most important work, in my opinion.
About the time I was reading those, I learned about the formation of “The Jesus Project”, billed as a scholarly effort to establish (or not) the historicity of Jesus. It apparently fell apart due to factionalism and disputes with the Jesus-mythers. Bart, I’m curious whether you had been approached to participate, or whether you had any interest in doing so at the time.
I think you might mean the Jesus Seminar? It didn’t fall apart; it published its findings (The Five Gospels) and still continues in a sense today. No, they didn’t have much factionalism and I don’t believe they had any connections/confrontatoins with any mythicists. Unless you’re referring to a different group.
No, I meant the Jesus Project. It was initiated by R. Joseph Hoffman in 2007, and sponsored by the Center for Inquiry. Surprised you hadn’t heard of it. There is a short Wikipedia article about it, and why it was soon terminated.
Ah. Right, Hoffman’s thing. Yes, I do have a slight recollection of it, but very slight!