audiobook Jesus Outside the New Testament: An Introduction to the Ancient Evidence (Studying the Historical Jesus) by Robert E. Van Voorst in History

Review

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful. Theology;Astronomy;And The Crucifixion DarknessBy Tod StitesI would recommend this book to anyone interested in the extra-canonical sources for the historical Jesus and I gave it a 3-star rating because though I thought it was very valuable and interesting; the author does present the evidence of the chronicler Thallos in such a way so that an uninformed reader might think that a mid-first century date for Thallos;and his knowledge of the Christian passion tradition;are quite probable. But attempts to extend Thallos' chronicle down to 52 C.E. are completely conjectural;and a date of 92 is just as likely.But this Thallos is apparently the same Thallos referred to by the Christian writer Theophilus c.180;so that even Craig Evans;one of Van Voorst's secondary sources;acknowledges that certain dates for the Thallos' allusion to the crucifixion darkness range anywhere from 29 C.E.to 221 C.E. For the assessment of Evans;who tends to exude the same atmosphere of plausibility regarding a mid-first century date for Thallos;see "Studying The Historical Jesus";edited by Craig Evans and Bruce Chilton;p.454-5.For a more sober evaluation;see the revised Schurer:"History Of The Jewish People In The Age Of Jesus Christ";vol.3;p.543-4. Man Of Blood: On The Last Days At Jerusalem0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. ExcellentBy FabioHighly in-depth survey and very honest and straightforward. For believers in Jesus it is important for contesting the infamous opinions that He never existed. To the ones holding to such pitiful opinion; it is always time to change and this is the smoking gun.33 of 37 people found the following review helpful. ScholarlyBy Dr. James GardnerRobert van Voorst's book Jesus Outside the New Testament is one of the most scholarly looks at ancient evidence about the life of Jesus. He systematically probes every reference to Jesus from outside the New Testament; and then subjects them to a thorough analysis from every angle. Watching him at work is a true guide for any scholar.In the classical area; Van Voorst examines the traditional Pliny; Suetonius; Tacitus; and Celsus writings; but he also includes such lesser known authors such as Thallos; Serapion; and Lucian of Samosata. In the Jewish writings he covers just about every reference there is to Yeshu; ben Stada; Balaam; and "the certain one". It's a tour d'force.Curiously enough; while Van Voorst is unsurpassed in his presentation and interpretation of material; it's his conclusions that I find wanting. For example; he discusses all the reasons why the mention of Jesus in Josephus is regarded as a later addition; then concludes that he "present(s) an independent account of Jesus" (p. 103). His main reason for discarding all the contrary evidence is his disbelief that the later interpolators could describe Jesus in less than glowing terms. Hardly convincing for me. Similarly; he concludes that references to Balaam cannot be references to Jesus because Balaam was traditionally the "prototype of the deceitful prophet from outside Israel" (p. 116) and Jesus; after all; was a Jew. True; but to the people who wrote the Talmud; even in Tannaitic times; Jesus was accused of being deceitful and was then outside Israel. So the use of Balaam can be accepted as referring to Jesus.My disagreemeents with Van Voorst's conclusions notwithstanding; this is an excellent book and belongs on the shelf of any scholar. Much of the material is generally unavailable elsewhere; and Van Vorost scholarship is exceptional.