Description
Book SynopsisThe last 150 years of biblical scholarship have revolutionised the understanding of the four Gospels. The revolution remains, however, largely unknown to the general public. Paul Laffan’s The Fabricated Christ argues for the wider dissemination of this knowledge and tasks those engaged in biblical criticism with greater honesty and frankness about the results of their research.
Trade ReviewThis book is a powerful exercise in the hermeneutics of suspicion. Laffan observes the scene in the canonical Gospels and finds there clues to what has taken place behind the scenes, in the world of the historical Jesus. The resulting reconstruction of the decisive events in Jesus' life is not unprecedented in biblical scholarship, but the case has seldom been made with such vigor and intellectual honesty. -- Kari Syreeni, Åbo Akademi University
Scrutinizing the texts of the Gospels from historical and literary perspectives, Laffan confronts the pious image of Jesus that he was taught in school, but also biblical scholarship based on theological presuppositions. The resulting picture is of a Jesus who is alien to modern sensibilities: The historical Jesus was a failed reformer, not the victorious Messiah of the Gospels. This is a book that will keep biblical scholarship honest! -- Halvor Moxnes, University of Oslo, emeritus
Table of Contents1. Introduction 2. Jesus’ Relationship with John the Baptist 3. Jesus’ Messiahship 4. Eschatology and Exorcism 5. Jesus’ Prophecies of his Death and the Short Passion Narrative 6. “I Will Destroy this Temple” 7. The Last Supper 8. Desertion, Agony, and Arrest 9. Trials and Crucifixion 10. The Resurrection 11. After Eschatology
