Overview

Jesus: a first-century Jew from Galilee, a small and remote province of the Roman Empire. No other person has had such a profound and far-reaching influence on world history. But what, historically, can we know about him? And what are we to make of the kaleidoscope of beliefs and images that people have since built up around him? Those are the two essential questions investigated by J. L. Houlden in this absorbing account of the key historical, theological and cultural issues surrounding the enigmatic figure of Jesus. Written primarily for the enquiring lay person, this is a book that will engage the interest of believer and non-believer alike. It will also provide a clear and concise introduction fr anyone studying the origins and evolution of Christianity as a major world religion.

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9780826489418

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Reviews

An engaging insight into the phenomenon of Jesus Christ. The Good Book Guide Anyone who has an interest in Jesus, whether Christian or non-Christian, should read this book. Methodist Recorder Leslie Houlden's book offers an excellent introduction for those who wish to know more about how Jesus has been understood since the beginning of Christianity. The Tablet This book, as subtle as it is lucid, as profound as it is non-technical, richly rewards the attention with which it is read. Church Times A work of immense maturity, expressing the fruits of a lifetime of thought. It deserves to be widely read. John Hick Houlden writes beautifully and wears his learning lightly. Gerald O'Collins

'An assured and engaging look at what can be known about Jesus. Both scholarly and subtle.' -- Methodist Recorder, Aug 24, 2006 'An excellent package which should be read by every ordinand and lay reader, and which could profitably be read by anyone who simply wishes to explore the perenially fascinating figure of Jesus further Stephen R. White, Church of Ireland Gazette -- Church of Ireland Gazette Houlden, with eloquence, humility, and non-technical style, invites us to engage seriously with the question of Jesus' identity... it suitably identifies many of the important issues at stake, avoids most of the usual pitfalls, and provides us with some direction for fruitful thought. -Religious Studies Review -- Jason A. Goroncy 'An engaging insight into the phenomenon of Jesus Christ.' The Good Book Guide * Blurb from reviewer * 'Anyone who has an interest in Jesus, whether Christian or non-Christian, should read this book.' Methodist Recorder * Blurb from reviewer * 'Leslie Houlden's book offers an excellent introduction for those who wish to know more about how Jesus has been understood since the beginning of Christianity.' The Tablet * Blurb from reviewer * 'This book, as subtle as it is lucid, as profound as it is non-technical, richly rewards the attention with which it is read.' Church Times * Blurb from reviewer * 'A work of immense maturity, expressing the fruits of a lifetime of thought. It deserves to be widely read.' John Hick * Blurb from reviewer * 'Houlden writes beautifully and wears his learning lightly.' Gerald O'Collins * Blurb from reviewer * [Houlden] does not shy away from some of the hard questions and tensions involved in such a quest, but with humility and non-technical style invites us to engage seriously with the question of Jesus' identity both as a historical figure and as the object of faith ... Houlden possesses a gift all too rare among Christian theologians and biblical scholars - the ability to harness the breadth of the Church's thinking regarding its Lord and communicate it in a way that is palatable, undoncescending and clear to a readership still finding its footing both inside and outside of the Church and the Academy ... A commendable contribution to an ever-growing library of Jesus studies. Jason A. Goroncy, European Journal of Theology, XVII 2008 -- J.A. Goroncy * European Journal of Theology *

"'An assured and engaging look at what can be known about Jesus. Both scholarly and subtle.' -- Methodist Recorder, Aug 24, 2006 'An excellent package which should be read by every ordinand and lay reader, and which could profitably be read by anyone who simply wishes to explore the perenially fascinating figure of Jesus further""   Stephen R. White, Church of Ireland Gazette -- Church of Ireland Gazette ""Houlden, with eloquence, humility, and non-technical style, invites us to engage seriously with the question of Jesus' identity... it suitably identifies many of the important issues at stake, avoids most of the usual pitfalls, and provides us with some direction for fruitful thought."" -Religious Studies Review -- Jason A. Goroncy 'An engaging insight into the phenomenon of Jesus Christ.' The Good Book Guide * Blurb from reviewer * 'Anyone who has an interest in Jesus, whether Christian or non-Christian, should read this book.' Methodist Recorder * Blurb from reviewer * 'Leslie Houlden's book offers an excellent introduction for those who wish to know more about how Jesus has been understood since the beginning of Christianity.' The Tablet * Blurb from reviewer * 'This book, as subtle as it is lucid, as profound as it is non-technical, richly rewards the attention with which it is read.' Church Times * Blurb from reviewer * 'A work of immense maturity, expressing the fruits of a lifetime of thought. It deserves to be widely read.' John Hick * Blurb from reviewer * 'Houlden writes beautifully and wears his learning lightly.' Gerald O'Collins * Blurb from reviewer * ""[Houlden] does not shy away from some of the hard questions and tensions involved in such a quest, but with humility and non-technical style invites us to engage seriously with the question of Jesus' identity both as a historical figure and as the object of faith ... Houlden possesses a gift all too rare among Christian theologians and biblical scholars - the ability to harness the breadth of the Church's thinking regarding its Lord and communicate it in a way that is palatable, undoncescending and clear to a readership still finding its footing both inside and outside of the Church and the Academy ... A commendable contribution to an ever-growing library of Jesus studies."" Jason A. Goroncy, European Journal of Theology, XVII 2008 -- J.A. Goroncy * European Journal of Theology *"

Author Information

The Rev. J. L. Houlden is Emeritus Professor of Theology at King's College, University of London.

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