The Changing Faces of Jesus

Description

Rather than attempting to retrieve the historical Jesus by eliminating later theological accretions, this book starts by setting out four fully developed portraits, beginning with the most evolved and retreating towards the more primitive. Starting with the fourth gospel (John) with its wholly idealized and deified images of Jesus, Geza Vermes then looks at Paul, who's first depiction of a redeemer figure is directed essentially at non-Jews. Another "face" will be seen through the acts of the Apostles, that of the final prophet of the end of time, a new Moses. Finally, the synoptic gospels each paint their own portrait of a Galilean preacher, healer and exorcist.

Geza Vermes was brought up in a Christian family, ordained a Catholic priest, and subsequently reverted to his Jewish roots. His work on the historical figure of Jesus and the Dead Sea Scrolls led to his appointment as Professor of Jewish Studies atOxford, where he is now Professor Emeritus. He is the author of THE COMPLETE DEAD SEA SCROLLS IN ENGLISH, which has sold in the region of half a million copies in Penguin to date.