Overview

Meet the real John the Baptist. For many, John the Baptist is a footnote in the gospels--Jesus's unkempt forerunner. But if we look closer, John emerges as a fascinating and influential religious leader in his own right. Esteemed New Testament scholar James F. McGrath turns his critical eye to overlooked details in Scripture and long-neglected sources to discover who John the Baptist really was. McGrath covers the well-known events of John's life, from his miraculous conception to his execution at the hands of Herod Antipas. Along the way, he introduces key context about John's social and religious world that fleshes out John's character. John becomes a rebel son of a priest. An innovator of ritual. A mentor of Jesus. McGrath also explores John's far-reaching impact on the history of religion. Aside from his influence on Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, John is also revered by the Mandaeans, the last extant gnostic sect, who consider themselves John's faithful disciples. This fresh look at the life of John the Baptist will fascinate any reader interested in John, Jesus, and their dynamic world.

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9780802884008

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Reviews

"""Essential reading for all interested in Jesus's spiritual formation as well as the later 'parting of the ways' between John's teachings and Jesus's, this highly accessible work walks us through a little-known story of a relationship that no one previously has brought to light with such clarity and insight."" --Nicola Denzey Lewis, Claremont Graduate University ""Thanks to a fresh approach and many hypotheses for ancient questions, this book, which is readable like a novel, will create large--and lasting--ripples in scholarship as well as in the thinking and lives of its readers."" --Edmondo Lupieri, Loyola University ""This is a creative, wide-ranging exploration that weaves together the Gospels and later writings to present a fresh view of John the Baptist. McGrath takes the reader on a journey to re-imagine a man who was not only the 'Christmaker' but also an influential prophet in his own right."" --Joan Taylor, professor of Christian origins and Second Temple Judaism, King's College, London"

Author Information

James F. McGrath is Clarence L. Goodwin Chair in New Testament Language and Literature at Butler University.

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