First published in 1987 by Fortress Press, this 20th anniversary edition of this classic bestseller includes a new Afterword from the author. Here, in narrative form, is an account of the activity of Jesus of Nazareth, scrupulously constructed so that it does not undercut the insights of New Testament scholarship. What makes it different from other such attempts is that Jesus never actually appears. What we find everywhere is his shadow, his effect. Such an approach avoids the usual pitfalls of the genre and lends this story – attributed to a fictitious narrator – an attraction, freshness, and power all its own. Tension and interest are maintained to the end, even for those sated with books about Jesus. Careful documentation in the footnotes shows how much of the narrative is based on ancient sources.
The Shadow of the Galilean
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"An achievement in 'narrative theology,' illuminating the social world of Jesus from rich sources and imaginative reconstruction, Theissen's book combines scholarship and story. The author supplements his fictional creations with letters to a professorial colleague, Dr. Kratzinger, illuminating methodology. The book should be a boon to preachers on the Gospels."- John Reumann, Lutheran Theological Seminary, Philadelphia
About the Author
Gerd Theissen is Professor of New Testament at the University of Heidelberg, Germany, and the author of The Religion of the Earliest Churches (Fortress Press, 1999) and The Shadow of the Galilean (Fortress Press, 1987). He is co-author of The Historical Jesus: A Comprehensive Guide (Fortress Press, 1988) and a co-editor of The Social Setting of Jesus and the Gospels (Fortress Press, 2001).
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Jeremy Bevan
TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
An outstanding work, difficult to praise highly enough. Theissen's narrative approach to the life of Jesus, seen through the eyes of an increasingly sympathetic onlooker, is solidly based on the non-biblical historical sources for life and history of Palestine in Jesus' time (principally Josephus, Philo and Tacitus). But fictionalised though its narrative structure may be, it's nonetheless acute in its observations about the probable impoverished socio-economic setting of Jesus and therefore the likely impact of his life and teaching on the poor around him. As a result, parables, stories and incidents from his ministry come vividly to life afresh, with innumerable new angles subtly suggested. Whether showing how Jesus' stories might encourage the little people to `think themselves important' or analysing how Jesus' attack on the Temple moneychangers led inevitably to a clash with all sorts of Jerusalem vested interests (Roman and Jewish) beyond the usual suspects, there is nothing quite like this account for resurrecting the Gospels. Read it - it will live very, very long in the memory.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4.4 out of 5 stars
16 reviews
46 of 50 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
"Experiencing" Those Who Interpreted Jesus
2 Aug 2000
By Dr. John Switzer
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
In this amazing and enjoyable book, Gerd Theissen (pronounced "Tyson") allows us to experience Jesus the Galilean in a way which demonstrates the manner in which the Christian Testament came to exist. To attempt to understand Jesus is to interpret Jesus, and through the eyes of Theissen's characters we see a theoretical construct at work which is not only insightful, but also faithful to the methods of modern biblical criticism and Christian theology as a whole. I highly recommend this book for those who would like insights into the development of the Christian canon of scripture and for those who wish to better understand the Jewishness of Jesus.
Pastors, lay leaders and religious educators of all types will gain invaluable information from this work. It is both scholarly and easy-to-read and it has been enjoyed and cited by educators and theologians alike.
30 of 33 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Shadow of the Galilean
29 Dec 1999
By Mitch Anderson
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
Wow! This is a super work! Theissen takes the reader to the historical setting and depicts various aspects through the eyes of a fictional character. The main character, who is also a Galilean Jew, makes observations of political and social agendas as he unintentionally becomes submerged in the subjection of these movements. There are plenty of notes throughout the book that gives reference to the historical data that is woven in this work of art. This is a creative reconstruction of emotion and desire from a variety of perspectives in the ancient setting.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Learning with Trying To
5 April 2007
By John D. White
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
In this beautiful, interesting and easy to read narrative, imaginary characters are introduced from around the time of Jesus. In this "story" Theissen creatively allows the parties, issues, concerns, and major characters of Historical Jesus research to arrive within the storyline itself. In so doing he makes them believeable and sympathetic. This is an utterly unique way of beginning the educational journey through Jesus' history and all of the theories and personalities present. I was hooked from the first page. If you are interested in historical Jesus research I recommend this book as an interesting, unusual, and brilliant way to begin the journey.
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4.4 out of 5 stars
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