An attempt to add archaeology's voice more forcefully to the
conversation about who Christ was and how he came to be
crucified.Gibson (Archaeology/Univ. of North Carolina, Charlotte),
a research fellow at the W.F. Albright Institute of Archaeological
Research in Jerusalem, argues that "archaeology tends to play
second fiddle" in efforts to discover the historical Jesus. He
calls upon scholars to turn toward archaeological evidence in
addition to relying on textual and literary criticism. Though
replete with interesting tidbits and archaeological tales, his book
does not entirely fulfill its potential. Gibson begins by examining
the routes Jesus would have taken toward Jerusalem and then
discusses his dealings at the home of Mary, Martha and Lazarus in
nearby Bethany. The author's tortured attempt to explain the
raising of Lazarus ("he must have been in a trance or a state of
catalepsy") is not particularly convincing. Gibson goes on to
describe the rituals of cleansing and foot washing as practiced and
understood in first-century Jerusalem. He's at his best when
attempting to pinpoint the locations of Jesus' trial and
crucifixion, an effort in which archaeological evidence plays a
crucial role. Material on the practice of crucifixion is riveting
and horrifying, giving readers a grim understanding of the agony
such a punishment inflicted. Finally, Gibson discusses burial
practices at the time and surmises what sort of tomb Joseph of
Arimathea would have owned. Gibson takes for granted many modern
heterodox views: that Jesus was a disciple of John the Baptist and
that supernatural claims are generally invalid, for example. Yet he
also asserts that Jesus may have had healing powers and even allows
that resurrection could be a tenable explanation for the empty
tomb. Overall, despite his exhortations for new methods of
scholarship, the author leans upon prior literary criticism and
fills his book with too many of other people's ideas.Engaging, but
doesn't meet the expectations it raises. More archaeology, please.
(Kirkus Reviews)
Ever since the gospels were written there have been questions
about the momentous events that occurred during the final days of
Jesus. Renowned archaeologist Shimon Gibson breaks new ground
examining the critical last days of the life of Jesus using his
extraordinary access to firsthand archaeological findings as
principal evidence. Gibson explains: "The purpose of this book is
to unravel once and for all the mystery surrounding the final days
of Jesus in Jerusalem: why he went there; how he came to be
arrested, tried, and crucified; and where his place of burial was
located. There is no doubt that some of my conclusions regarding
Jesus and Jerusalem may be controversial."
Describing the events of the final days of Jesus
chronologically, beginning with his entrance into Jerusalem on a
donkey and ending with his burial in a tomb after having been
crucified, Gibson unveils a vivid picture of first-century
Jerusalem; its monuments, streets, and houses; and, of course, the
Jewish Temple that was the jewel in the crown of the city. The
Jesus that emerges in these pages is a teacher and healer who
captures the fascination of the crowds. As a man from an
accomplished and well-off rural background, trained in matters of
ritual purification by John the Baptist, and as a believer in
alternative healing methods, Jesus's speeches and teachings--made
in the tinder-box atmosphere of Passover festivities in
Jerusalem--scared the Jewish and Roman authorities to such a degree
that they decided to have him put to death. Gibson reveals how
archaeology has a major role to play not only in how the gospels
should be read and understood, but also in understanding Jesus in
his world.
General
Is the information for this product incomplete, wrong or inappropriate?
Let us know about it.
Does this product have an incorrect or missing image?
Send us a new image.
Is this product missing categories?
Add more categories.
Review This Product
No reviews yet - be the first to create one!
Welcome to Loot.co.za!
Sign in / Register |Wishlists & Gift Vouchers |Help | Advanced search
