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Jesus: A Very Short Introduction
(Very Short Introductions #275)
by
Richard Bauckham
4.01 · Rating details · 216 Ratings · 33 Reviews
Award-winning religious scholar Richard Bauckham here explores the historical figure of Jesus, evaluating the sources and showing that they provide us with good historical evidence for his life and teaching. To place Jesus in his proper historical context, as a Jew from Galilee in the early first century of our era, Bauckham looks at Jewish religion and society in the land of Israel under Roman rule. He explores Jesus' symbolic practices as well as his teachings, looks at his public career and emphasizes how his actions, such as healing and his association with notorious sinners, were just as important as his words. Bauckham writes that Jesus was devoted to the God of Israel, with a special focus on God's fatherly love and compassion, and like every Jewish teacher he expounded the Torah, but did so in his own distinctive way. After a discussion about the way Jesus understood himself and what finally led to his death on a Roman cross, Bauckham concludes by considering the significance Jesus has come to have for Christian faith worldwide.(less)
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Paperback, 125 pages
Published August 11th 2011 by Oxford University Press, USA (first published July 28th 2011)
ISBN
0199575274 (ISBN13: 9780199575275)
Edition Language
English
Series
Very Short Introductions #275
Other Editions (3)
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September 15, 2018 – Shelved as: to-read
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Books About Jesus201 books — 110 voters
The Oxford Very Short Introductions Series254 books — 50 voters
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Sep 04, 2012Adam Omelianchuk rated it really liked it
I took the advice of a seminary professor who said that many of the problems we have with Christianity can be solved by just getting to know the person of Christ better. Another recommended this book as a way to do just that. Richard Bauckham hits a home run in Oxford's fantastic little "very short introduction" series, as it provides a very clear, helpful, and brief introduction to the central figure of Christianity: Jesus Christ, savior and Lord. If you follow the advice I followed, your faith (if you have it) in Christ will be enriched. (less)
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Aug 03, 2018Joe Haack rated it it was amazing
What I want to know: Why on Earth did Oxford University Press select orthodox Jesus scholar Richard Bauckham to summarize the life of Jesus for their "Short Introduction" series, when there are a thousand more 'sensational' and unorthodox scholars out there? This is a testament to the importance of Christians pursuing their vocation with the highest levels of integrity and excellence: "Good work, well done" (Sayers). What a gift to the church! This is a gospel tract to intellectuals. And a helpful guide for anyone who reads the gospels. (less)
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Jan 21, 2018Daniel Rudge rated it really liked it
Simple and short but covers all the basics. Appreciated the way Bauckham showed that Jesus backed up His teaching with consistent action.
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Oct 07, 2014Ted Ryerson rated it it was ok
it's more about what Jesus said than who he is.
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Apr 10, 2012Damian rated it really liked it · review of another edition
Fascinating essay on the identity of Jesus as expressed in the Gospels, somewhat marred by the fact that Bauckham seems to believe that Jesus did actually perform miracles.
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Jul 11, 2018Jeffrey Brannen rated it it was amazing
Briefly summing up his much larger and more comprehensive work, “Jesus and the Eyewitnesses.” If plowing through several hundred pages of dense technical text isn’t your cup of tea, Bauckham has effectively and engagingly presented a solid case for the historical reliability of the Gospels as eyewitness testimony.
Seriously worth your time, especially if you are weighing the evidence of Jesus. In just over 100 small pages, Bauckham pushes back against Erhman, Pagels, and a host of higher critical scholars without getting lost in the weeds. (less)
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Dec 10, 2017Nicholas Varady-szabo rated it it was amazing
Bauckham has written a wonderful introduction to Jesus! As my professor Tim Mackie said: "it's short, interesting, and filled with things you didn't know". An historical, intellectual and honest portrayal of Jesus in line with modern biblical scholarship.
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May 27, 2018Sir Raymond of Ivanhoe rated it it was amazing
Terrific! I thought I knew a lot about Jesus and his times already. But I learned so much. The writing was clear and fast-paced. I read the book in 3 sittings, but it could be done in 2. I highly recommend this book.
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Mar 24, 2018Spencer Brown rated it really liked it
Shelves: theology-tr
A brief-but-thorough look at the central figure of Christianity. Bauckham argues well for both the historicity of Jesus and our ability to meaningfully know of him from extant sources. Particularly refreshing is his case for the reliability and coherence of Christianity's four Gospel books.
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Aug 08, 2018Matt rated it really liked it
Maybe slightly too advanced if you don't have even a basic GCSE understanding. But good for intermediates.
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Apr 30, 2018Dele Omotosho rated it really liked it
A rather nice overview. One downside is the author isn't being clear when his approach is historical or theological.
Mixing both approach can make for a bit of a mis-informed read.
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Sep 16, 2017Jonathan Latshaw rated it it was amazing
This short book is packed full of information, and explanations of who Jesus was. I really enjoyed reading this.
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Feb 19, 2018Nick Bersin rated it it was amazing
A good, comprehensive, yet thoroughly readable introduction to the study of Jesus.
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Nov 07, 2012Daniel Wright rated it really liked it
Shelves: vsi, biography, ancient-history, religion, bible, jesus
New Testament studies, and the study of the historical Jesus in particular, is perhaps one of the most explosive and controversial subjects in all academia. There are a number of reasons for this which I won't go into here. It is, however worth noting.
Bauckham tends to a more "traditional" approach to the historical Jesus (although to people who know much historical theology, it isn't particularly traditional; just not highly revisionist). That is to say, he treats, fairly frankly, the synoptics as broadly historical texts, and sets out his reasons for doing so. This ought not to be controversial, but sadly, in a field spotted about with popular sensationalism of no academic value, it will be to some people, even some scholars. If you are upset by that, then there is no need to apologize to you, but don't bother with this.
Setting that aside, Bauckham's account is a very readable and accessible introduction to the field, which I commend to general readers. (less)
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Nov 30, 2016Igor rated it liked it · review of another edition
The book is a good description of the historical Jesus as reconstructed by Richard Bauckham. There's nothing wrong per se with this, but this kind of book is read above all by people who lack deep (or any at all) knowledge about the subtleties of historical and biblical research. While Bauckham's research of the New Testament is very deep and should be taken seriously, but it is so far a minority opinion, it has failed to convince most historians to date.
An introductory book like this one should present the majority opinion where it is available, or, at the very least, make it explicit that what it describes has not (yet?) gained a widespread support in the Jesus academic community. (less)
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Dec 28, 2012Dan rated it really liked it
Shelves: religion, history
A succinct and readable summary of the life of Jesus Christ written by leading New Testament scholar Richard Bauckham, author of the seminalJesus and the Eyewitnesses. This book is a must for anyone seeking to understand the historical Jesus and his impact on the world. He makes the case that the first four books of the New Testament (aka the Gospels) are historical documents as reliable as eyewitness testimony can be, and much of what Jesus was about can be found there. Then he proceeds to give a synopsis of the life and work of Jesus as related by the Gospels, all with the appropriate historical context. Extremely readable and extremely engaging. Highly recommended. (less)
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Jul 14, 2012Jen Crichton rated it liked it · review of another edition
Useful summation of the historical Jesus as well as the beliefs of both Jesus and his apostles. As another Goodreads reviewer noted, Richard Bauckham does seem to be a Christian believer and describes the miracles associated with the Christ in historical terms (which I, as a teacher, am always quick to refer to in the classroom as events that Christians believe but which are not necessarily historically true). These Very Short Introductions are exactly that: introductions. But I would have preferred more details about the world in which Jesus lived and his role in it, and less of a Very Short Introduction to Early Christianity which this otherwise helpful book ultimately becomes.(less)
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Feb 23, 2016Peter Zefo rated it really liked it · review of another edition
The title says it all. This is a great introduction to the person and work of Jesus. The conclusion concerning the incarnation is especially powerful.
Bauckham's discussion of the differences in the canonical gospels and the Gnostic writings is also helpful. Overall,I recommend this book for those needing a starting point for who Jesus is and ultimately what he came to do.
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Aug 08, 2013Joshua Duffy rated it it was amazing
Shelves: favorites
Fantastic. Loved this one. When you get some historical context aside your biblical imagery you gain so much more understanding. The gospels (and the person of Jesus) will open up to you after reading this one.
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Jan 21, 2017Ephrem Arcement rated it it was amazing
A wonderfully focused and articulate account of Jesus' life, teachings, and significance. I imagine this book being a great gift for someone, particularly well educated, who would like to better understand the heart of Christian faith.
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Mar 30, 2015Lostaccount rated it liked it
Better than a short introduction to the Devil, which I read before this. Some interesting "facts" about Jesus I'd never come across. Still didn't make me a Christian, but made me see Christ in a different light.
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Nov 19, 2015Laura rated it really liked it
Shelves: adult, nonfiction, high-school
Good introduction to the themes of Jesus' teaching and life from an academic perspective.
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