Product Description

Combining New Testament study with the terseness of thriller writing, Gerd Theissen conveys the gospel story in the fresh and imaginative prose of a novel. The story is told by Andreas, an imaginary contemporary of Jesus, who is trapped into becoming an informer for Pilate while trying to help a friend, who emerges as the Barabbas of the passion narratives. In this role as double agent, Andreas meets and talks to a wide variety of Jesus' contemporaries, during which we learn a great deal about Palestinian life and politics, as well as what Jesus (the Galilean of the title) might have been like and how he might have behaved. This is a story for our times, or how the gospels might have turned out if they had been written by John Le Carre or Frederick Forsyth: racy, readable, and full of nerve-tingling incident.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #183901 in Books
• Published on: 2001-10-01
• Original language: German
• Binding: Paperback
• 256 pages

Customer Reviews

This book brings alive the culture and people around Jesus
This has been one of the most memorable books I have ever read. It does not introduce Jesus directly to people but follows characters who would have met him or heard about him. It made me think about what life was like for people in those times and what they would have thought about Jesus and the challenge and impact his teaching and existence would have had on their daily lives. Its very easy to read and thoughts and questions come naturally to the reader because the book is so interesting.

It is poignant, convincing, educational and quite exciting!
Although Gerd Theissen is a giant among modern New Testament (NT) scholars, this little novel happily avoids the typical academic approach with a refreshing, informative and rewarding read.

Theissen vividly and imaginatively explains his understanding of NT history - but he makes it fun! By creating a believable character, giving him a family, friends - and enemies, a job and a life to lead, Theissen successfully and eloquently transports the reader back two thousand years. There were many different ways of "being Jewish" in Jesus time, with various points of conflict. This book allows you to not just see these tensions, but to begin to really understand them: why were some Jews decidedly pro-Roman rule? Why were others complete isolationists? Why did some believe in raw violence? And how could they all claim to honest, devout Jews? No wonder Israel had been on the verge of civil war for centuries!

And what of the Romans? And their puppet rulers, like Pilate or Herod? Where they mad, bad or delusional? Or were they essentially good people? If some of his historical conclusions may be questioned (though not very many), Theissen is careful to explain his theological and historical deductions so you are free to disagree if you wish. That alone makes this book an admirable achievement - and it shames many a high-brow theological text book in the process.

This is history and theology for the ordinary bloke-on-the-street who likes a good read: If you're interested in the lives of soldiers and politicians, or if you're interested in how people build (and break) relationships in various circumstances, there will be something here for you. I loved it!

Limited and useless?
Hmm, a fair enough book - but hardly a challenging read. The book fails both of the tasks it puts forward. It is not a historical account - with various inaccuracies that the author pitifully defends.

On the same level, one can hardly call it a competent novel. It is badly written and reads awkwardly in many places. The book is constantly interrupted by letters to "Dr. Kratzinger" which try and play up and defend Theisson's historical information - but in fact just interrupt an already bad "novel".