James Dunn is regarded worldwide as one of today's foremost biblical scholars. Having written groundbreaking studies of the New Testament and a standard work on Paul's theology; Dunn here turns his pen to the rise of Christianity itself. Jesus Remembered is the first installment in what will be a monumental three-volume history of the first 120 years of the faith.Focusing on Jesus; this first volume has several distinct features. It garners the lessons to be learned from the "quest for the historical Jesus" and meets the hermeneutical challenges to a historical and theological assessment of the Jesus tradition. It provides a fresh perspective both on the impact made by Jesus and on the traditions about Jesus as oral tradition -- hence the title "Jesus Remembered." And it offers a fresh analysis of the details of that tradition; emphasizing its characteristic (rather than dissimilar) features. Noteworthy too are Dunn's treatments of the source question (particularly Q and the noncanonical Gospels) and of Jesus the Jew in his Galilean context.In his detailed analysis of the Baptist tradition; the kingdom motif; the call to and character of discipleship; what Jesus' audiences thought of him; what he thought of himself; why he was crucified; and how and why belief in Jesus' resurrection began; Dunn engages wholeheartedly in the contemporary debate; providing many important insights and offering a thoroughly convincing account of how Jesus was remembered from the first; and why.Written with peerless scholarly acumen yet accessible to a wide range of readers; Dunn's Jesus Remembered; together with its successor volumes; will be a sine qua non for all students of Christianity's beginnings.
#1431988 in Books 2007-05-29 2007-05-29Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 213.87 x 1.14 x 5.37l; .84 #File Name: 0802715176432 pages
Review
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. History as Travel GuideBy bmbowerBy selecting a few key events to hang his medieval history of Christian-Muslim conflict around the Mediterranean; O'Shea sidesteps the drone of history books that dwell on dates and names. Instead he drops you into the action; weaving a glittering tapestry of religious zeal; Arab conquest; Christian retaliation; Berber invasions; Frankish armies; the politics of the Great Schism; dynastic struggles among the Byzantine power structures of Byzantium; storming Normans; Islam among the Turks; the opportunistic nature of history's big names (like El Cid); crusading popes; Egyptian sultans; future saints; and the extraordinary convivencia; when Christians and Muslims lived in peaceful if tense coexistence and culture flourished like never before.Although an exceptionally well-researched book that draws on recently available Arab and Muslim sources; Sea of Faith's true strength rests in O'Shea's ability to present history as travelogue. Furthermore; while his descriptions of places like Yarmuk; Cordoba; Palermo; and Malta make you want to book a tour to see the history in the streets and remaining buildings; his battle scenes read like high drama. The hour-by-hour (and at times minute-by-minute) recreation of the 12th century battle in the blistering heat of the Bet Netofa valley; where the Muslim Saladin defeated the Christian King Guy; does such a good job of conveying the plight of armored soldiers slowly roasting under a hammering sun while being attacked by mounted bowmen; you'll swear you can smell the blood and sweat.Indeed; O'Shea brings out the high adventure inherent in so much of history but lost in so many history books. Yet he always has his eye on the central theme of his narrative: religion as a framework for understanding conflict on the Medieval Mediterranean; something clearly valuable for also understanding today's conflicts around the sea and the surrounding deserts; mountains; and continents.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Great book for understanding the beginning of conflict between Islam ...By Robert CortvriendtGreat book for understanding the beginning of conflict between Islam and Christianity. It's a story of tolerance and intolerance; greed and greatness in a world receding from the Roman Empire's iron fist and an evolving world order with faith at its center. O'Shea explores the political landscapes leading to momentous battles and their aftermaths which led to the next in a series that wraps around the Mediterranean and eventually stalls in Malta at the beginning of the Renaissance until now. The siege and collapse of Constantinople is as epically depicted as that of Troy with vivid images of power; heroism and guile.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A great read.By G. PooleIn this day of mistrust between these two great world religions; it is important to try to understand each other rather than throw threats and violence at each other. Islam is not the evil faith that many believe it to be. In fact; most Muslams are very peaceful and well educated. I would also argue the same for these people when they consider we Christians. Nevertheless; distrust is not new as this book highlights. In reading this book. I was struck repeatedly with the thought that two faiths which have much in common seem more willing to divide and destroy....why? The first step is to put down the hate and weapons and read books like this. Leading with the heart and mind are what God wants not killing people in his name. both faiths are at fault for this.
