Jesus is the man who made the West. What kind of man was he? Is he relevant to a modern world shaken by crises of meaning? The churches have mainly projected him as Jesus the carer and comforter, Jesus meek and mild, friend of the weak. This is Jesus the Good Shepherd, who preaches on sin and forgiveness. He is Lord and Saviour. But this church Jesus is not remotely like the existential hero portrayed in the first and most potent telling of his life-story - that of Mark. Mark's Jesus is a lonely and restless, mysterious ...
Read More
Jesus is the man who made the West. What kind of man was he? Is he relevant to a modern world shaken by crises of meaning? The churches have mainly projected him as Jesus the carer and comforter, Jesus meek and mild, friend of the weak. This is Jesus the Good Shepherd, who preaches on sin and forgiveness. He is Lord and Saviour. But this church Jesus is not remotely like the existential hero portrayed in the first and most potent telling of his life-story - that of Mark. Mark's Jesus is a lonely and restless, mysterious stranger. His mission is dark and obscure. Everything he tries fails. By the end there is no God, no loyal followers - just torture by crucifixion, climaxing in a colossal deathscream. The story closes without a resurrection from the dead. There is just an empty tomb, and three women fleeing in terror. The existential Jesus speaks today. He does not spout doctrine; he has no interest in sin; his focus is not on some after-life. He gestures enigmatically from within his own gruelling experience, inviting the reader to walk in his shoes. He singles out everybody's central question: 'Who am I?' The truth lies within individual identity, resounding in the depths of the inner self. The existential Jesus is the West's great teacher on the nature of being.
Read Less
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Very Good. Minor wear at edges and corners. Some faded storage marks and scratches to cover. Pages as new and unread. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 288 p.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Good. **SHIPPED FROM UK** We believe you will be completely satisfied with our quick and reliable service. All orders are dispatched as swiftly as possible! Buy with confidence! Greener Books.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Fine. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 284 p. In Stock. 100% Money Back Guarantee. Brand New, Perfect Condition, allow 4-14 business days for standard shipping. To Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. protectorate, P.O. box, and APO/FPO addresses allow 4-28 business days for Standard shipping. No expedited shipping. All orders placed with expedited shipping will be cancelled. Over 3, 000, 000 happy customers.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Very Good. Very Good condition. A copy that may have a few cosmetic defects. May also contain light spine creasing or a few markings such as an owner's name, short gifter's inscription or light stamp.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Good. Good condition. A copy that has been read but remains intact. May contain markings such as bookplates, stamps, limited notes and highlighting, or a few light stains.
Despite an intriguing introductory chapter (titled The Enigma of Being), the odour of anti-Judaism hangs heavy over the rest of the book. Jesus is portrayed as a bad-tempered self-hating Jew, and the author's references to 'the Jews,' 'the Jewish elite,' 'Jewish doctors' and their 'science' spoil the text. His elevation of Greco-European culture and his obvious distaste for Judea recall the excesses of anti-Judaism that have plagued Christianity over the centuries. When Jesus is characterized as the 'Platonic form of being human,' the sundering of Jesus from his Jewish roots is complete. Incredibly, the author exonerates Pontius Pilate, who is portrayed as a thoughtful man burdened by an 'impossible moral dilemma,' when in reality, Pilate was a needlessly cruel and petty-minded tyrant even by Roman standards.
Also problematic are the rather peculiar New Age-references to 'sacred pneuma,' 'sacred order,' 'bathed in the pneuma,' 'pneuma the god,' and the utterly unconvincing coinage 'pneumaphobia.' And there are some awful sentences such as 'What empires of stone and mind have been built in prolific midrashes of the Jesus essence.'
The book is not entirely bad. The writer finds some very interesting parallels between Mark's Gospel and John's Gospel. There are some excellent observations and insights regarding the 'boy with the linen cloth' and the demon-possessed Legion. And he is skilled in showing us the recurring symbols in Mark's gospel, particularly the symbol of rock/stone. The chapter about the empty tomb is excellent, full of depth and richness.
So the book is something of a mixed bag. If the writer had curbed his obvious dislike of Jewishness and Judaism, the book would be very enjoyable. I say this because there really are some wonderful insights, especially in the remarkable empty tomb chapter, which is inspired and inspiring. Plus, the idea that Jesus represents authentic Being (I am) as opposed to inauthentic Being (not-I/I am not) is also well made.
Would I recommend this book? Yes, but with the warning that the unpleasant Judeophobia is likely to spoil one's enjoyment of it.