jjares reviewed on 4/21/2019 + 3384 more book reviews

This is a beautifully written book that reads like a fascinating novel -- that the reader cannot put aside. One thing I learned while reading Dr. Aslan's books is the importance of the notes at the back of the book. I've come to read the notes for a particular chapter first and then turn to the corresponding chapter at the front of the book. I find that I understand things better this way.

I'm sure that there will be a hailstorm of controversy about this amazing book. In Part I, Aslan shows that the messiahs that abounded in Jesus' time were all concerned with the overthrow of the Roman occupation of their country. Aslan shows that the whole region was a hotbed of strife and anger against the Romans.

One thing that I learned is that Aslan endorses Albert Schweitzer's view of Jesus that was espoused in his "Quest for the Historical Jesus." I don't know much about this theory and intend to read more about it.

In the last sections of the book, Aslan talks about how Jesus' message was changed by the early Church. Mary's virgin birth was a problem since there is mention in the Bible of Jesus' four brothers and sisters (number and names unknown). He says that James (Jesus' brother) was actually the main leader of the Church after Jesus' death but it was changed to Peter (bishop of Rome) because they did not want to confuse the issue of Mary's virgin birth of Jesus.

Then Aslan talks about the Roman Paul (Saul), who converted to Christianity. He was in trouble with the main body of the Church because of his teachings, but when it came time to codify the New Testament, he had lots of letters available and they were added to the Bible. This information is absolutely fascinating and now I have to read more.

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