Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth is a book by Iranian-American writer and scholar Reza Aslan. It is a historical account of the life of Jesus and analyzes the various religious perspectives on Jesus as well as the creation of Christianity. It is a New York Times best seller. Aslan argues that Jesus was a political, rebellious and eschatological (end times) Jew whose proclamation of the coming kingdom of God was a call for regime change, for ending Roman hegemony over Judea and the corrupt and oppressive aristocratic priesthood. The book has been optioned by Lionsgate and producer David Heyman with a script co-written by Aslan and Oscar- screenwriter, James Schamus.The book has gathered mixed reviews. While it was positively received by the general public, scholars with relevant subject matter expertise have been critical of its content, methodology and Aslan’s claims about his academic credentials.
Review of 'Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
Being an American, I hear that people are doing things because they are followers of Jesus Christ. I grew up Catholic, and I didn't really learn anything about Jesus in my Sunday school, first communion, confirmation, or Jesuit college theology class.
I wanted to know more about how the Jesus of Nazareth differs from Jesus Christ. Reza Aslan (@rezaaslan) uses a modern historical approach in Zealot to dissect the primary sources that report on Jesus of Nazareth to cut through Paul's Roman Christian mythology.
Aslan's claim in the book is that the Jesus of history just as compelling if not more compelling than Jesus of Paul's myth.
Review of 'Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth' on 'Goodreads'
3 stars
Aslan is a very colorful writer; he has some very powerful passages that help to bring the world of that time to life.
My biggest issue is that he very much has an agenda when writing this book. I saw a piece of the Fox News interview; I wish someone had asked him why it appears that his criteria for the validity off a Bible passage is how well it supports his thesis. If the passage fits, it is accepted without question; if it doesn't fit, it obviously was added later as part of the early church building a mythology around Jesus (or something like that).
I think there is useful material in this book; just temper it with someone like N. T. Wright.
Review of 'Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth' on 'Storygraph'
4 stars
This is a book about what could be one of the hardest subjects a historian could attempt to tackle. The historic Jesus is a character that has very little real historic verification, leading most scholars to take best guesses on what the real Jesus may have been like, or if he even existed. And this book is no different as Aslan attempts to build a picture based on the available historic evidence and what records we do have about actual events around that time and place. It does start off with one assumption though: that Jesus was a real man and not a deified entity created from the various self proclaimed messiahs of the time, as other works on this subject have claimed.
In the process of piecing together a more realistic picture than the dramatic stories presented in the canonical gospels Aslan is quick to dismiss the portions that …
This is a book about what could be one of the hardest subjects a historian could attempt to tackle. The historic Jesus is a character that has very little real historic verification, leading most scholars to take best guesses on what the real Jesus may have been like, or if he even existed. And this book is no different as Aslan attempts to build a picture based on the available historic evidence and what records we do have about actual events around that time and place. It does start off with one assumption though: that Jesus was a real man and not a deified entity created from the various self proclaimed messiahs of the time, as other works on this subject have claimed.
In the process of piecing together a more realistic picture than the dramatic stories presented in the canonical gospels Aslan is quick to dismiss the portions that are plainly absurd and only there to present a particular picture to the audience the gospel version is intended for. For example, The stable in Bethlehem picture, because Bethlehem did not even exist in that time based on known historical documents, Nazareth did however. Or also the scenes with Pontius Pilate, who in some versions of the story tries to save Jesus, but is historically accounted for as absolutely hating the Jewish people,so much so that complaints are regularly sent to the Roman Emperor regarding the numerous crucifixions. And just as equally Aslan is quick to point out when the version presented adds insight to the real man and highlights his real motivations when looked at in the historic context in which it takes place.
The research done by the author is well documented in the notes and bibliography, which is sure to give the reader plenty more to explore should he or she wish to do so. Unless your the type who refuses to stray one ounce from your dogma, this book is a must read for believers and non-believers alike. It adds to the many other volumes on this subject and paints a picture of a man who is probably more fascinating than the one presented by the religion in his name.
