Descriere
The bestselling author of Misquoting Jesus, one of the most renowned and controversial Bible scholars in the world today examines oral tradition and its role in shaping the stories about Jesus we encounter in the New Testament—and ultimately in our understanding of Christianity.
Throughout much of human history, our most important stories were passed down orally—including the stories about Jesus before they became written down in the Gospels. In this fascinating and deeply researched work, leading Bible scholar Bart D. Ehrman investigates the role oral history has played in the New Testament—how the telling of these stories not only spread Jesus’ message but helped shape it.
A master explainer of Christian history, texts, and traditions, Ehrman draws on a range of disciplines, including psychology and anthropology, to examine the role of memory in the creation of the Gospels. Explaining how oral tradition evolves based on the latest scientific research, he demonstrates how the act of telling and retelling impacts the story, the storyteller, and the listener—crucial insights that challenge our typical historical understanding of the silent period between when Jesus lived and died and when his stories began to be written down.
As he did in his previous books on religious scholarship, debates on New Testament authorship, and the existence of Jesus of Nazareth, Ehrman combines his deep knowledge and meticulous scholarship in a compelling and eye-opening narrative that will change the way we read and think about these sacred texts.
Ehrman provides an intriguing overview of memory studies and introduces readers to a variety of important pioneers and studies. . . . Ehrman concludes that the historical Jesus did not make history; the remembered Jesus did. An intriguing new angle on the well-worn field of historical Jesus studies. --Kirkus Review"
An intriguing and entertaining take on the formation of the Gospels. --Library Journal"
With his typical humor, passion, and vivacity, Ehrman explores the ways that memory shapes, distorts, changes, and preserves the stories of Jesus passed along by the Christian community. Ehrman s provocative book raises engaging questions that drive readers back to the sources of our information about Jesus. --"Publishers Weekly""
One can see why Ehrman is so widely known and respected by so many people. Here Ehrman takes a completely different approach from his previous books. This book is a new approach to the study of the beginnings of Christianity. --"Association for Mormon Letters""
" Jesus Before the Gospels" is a scholarly yet readable study of Jesus and the Gospels. Ehrman s scholarship remains unmatched. Ehrman unveils several unexplored aspects of the life of Jesus and the Gospels. Everybody with an interest in Christianity and religion in general will find this fascinating book useful. --"Washington Book Review""
With "Jesus Before the Gospels," Bart D. Ehrman has written a thought-provoking book prompted by his interest as a historian in the various traditions about Jesus. Enjoyable to read --"America" Magazine"
Our secular culture continues to be profoundly impacted by biblical influences - including fundamentalist biblical influences - and this controversial book raises some important questions. --"State of Belief" Radio"
Why buy this book if you ve already got lots of volumes about Jesus? This book is something new. You ll discover people in this book that you would never encounter in other religious books. There s nothing like this 300-page exploration of our earliest human memories of Jesus. --Read The Spirit"
Ehrman is one of the foremost voices in the historical Jesus debates. In this, the latest of a long list of influential books, he combines his ideas about Jesus with cutting-edge research from cognitive psychology, cultural anthropology, and sociology. He more than succeeds in achieving his goal. Highly recommended. --Spirit Connection NY"
Author Bart Ehrman tackles a central question for scholars of the New Testament-- the accuracy of the text. --NPR's Interfaith Voices" --This text refers to an alternate kindle_edition edition.
