BOOK REVIEW: The life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth

BOOK REVIEW

Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth

Author:  Reza Aslan

This book was recommended to me from two sources, a Methodist Minister friend and from an acquaintance that found it to be an interesting book.  Both warned me to read it with an open mind and prepare to learn something.   I would repeat that warning to those reading this book.  It is not a book a Christian fanatic will enjoy or someone with a closed mind would find value in reading, even though this maybe the very book they should read.  Those readers that are schooled in religious studies will also have issues with this book.

There has been many different Jesus’ constructed over the last two centuries or more.   Most of these have always been created on faith, religious needs and the current popular beliefs.   You will find few works where the author undertook the task of looking at Jesus from a historical personage view point.  In Zealot the Author does just that, he looks at the Jesus that lived, rebelled against the Romans, against the status quo in the Jewish religion, the Pharisees and the Sanhedrin. 

Mr. Aslan’s book has garnered some controversy from writing this book.  There are conservative Christians that are offended that a Muslim scholar dare right about the Christ.   Also, you will find some that are offended by the premise that Jesus was anything but the son of God.  This is not the case amount religious scholars, especially of those of early Christianity.  I have had friends that have read this book before I did that was offended a distinction is made between Jesus of Nazareth and Jesus the Christ.   They are unwilling to accept that Jesus is seen as two distinctly different people historically.  I have one minister friend that was so offended and upset with this book he thought the Christian communities should ban it. 

So, let’s look at the book itself. Mr. Aslan Jesus that he introduces us to is born in Nazareth. He grew up as a poor laborer.  He becomes a discipline of John the Baptist until John is arrested.  He continues the same teachings of John the Baptist after the arrest.  Jesus, like John before him, preached the imminent arrival of the Kingdom of God.   As I understand this author, this Kingdom was to be an earthly political state ruled by God or his messiah.  This was controversial then as it is still today.  As you read deeper into the book you become aware that Jesus never intended to find a church or a religion.  His intent was to reform the one that already existed for the Jews.  Jesus was loyal to the Mosaic Law as he had interpreted it.  This led Jesus to oppose the Roman overlords, their puppet representatives, the Temple priests, the wealthy Jewish aristocracy and the Herodian elite according to Mr. Aslan. 

As we all know, and expressed in this book also, Jesus went to Jerusalem.  It was here he provoked the Romans through his actions at the temple and against the temple officials.  But that is not where Mr. Aslan leaves it.  He takes the time to break down the actual events.   One part that was new to me and will bring further investigation on my part, was Pilates overall hatred of the Jews and the way he dealt with them.  He is shown in this book to be ruthless and uncaring about any background.    It is even suggestion that most likely there was no long conversation at all between Jesus and Pilate.  So, being handed over to Pilate was almost a guaranteed death sentence since he was a Jew being accused by Jew’s.  As we know, Jesus was crucified after his meeting with the Roman Governor.   But he was not crucified for his temple actions, but for him claiming to be King of the Jews. This was considered sedation by the Romans.  Naming a King for the Jews was reserved only for the Roman Emperor to appoint. 

Mr. Aslan thesis is not new, unique or startling.   His detractors say his theory is outlandish or that a Muslim has no rights to write such a book or doesn’t understand.   It is none of these.  You need to accept that the audience he wrote to is not the Christian Theologians or Clergy, nor is it be an exacting academic study.  It strikes me as written to those that have questions, want to read a different view point or just want to say “see I told you so” moment to some friends.  It is a new look at old theories and ideas on who Jesus was, this does not relieve him of some minor errors he makes throughout the book.   The first reading through for me I found where he accepts and examines some statements that have been refuted and the scholars have agreed are no longer accurate assessments.  The one dealing with single Jewish men in Judea is the most glaring statement that has been refuted.  He also had minor mis-statement like claiming the sea of Galilee is salt water when it is fresh water sea.   All these are minor points that do not distract from its overall readability.

 

In the end I have to say this is a good read.  It presents a very plausible alternative of the life of Jesus.  I learned a few things and was given some food for thought.  I have a few things to look further into.  Just keep in mind do not take this as a good scholarly book on Judaism, Christianity and Jesus; It is what it is meant to be is the best I can say on this:  A new examination of Jesus the person and not Jesus the Christ.  I recommend this book for anyone that wants a non-academic look into Jesus.