Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Peter Kirby · 06-27-2002, 02:41 PM

The topic of recommended books on the origins of Christianity came up on JesusMysteries. I thought that the folks here might be interested in a short list of recommendations.

If you want to understand the issues around which discussion of the historical Jesus seems to revolve, you can do nothing better than to obtain a copy of Earl Doherty's book titled The Jesus Puzzle. The price is $14.50.

<a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0968601405/InternetInfidelsA" target="_blank">The Jesus Puzzle</a>

Awarded for best book on religion in the 1980s, Sanders' contribution Jesus and Judaism remains a worthwhile read, certainly one of the best interpretations of a historical Jesus. A used copy can be found for as low as $12.

<a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0800620615/InternetInfidelsA" target="_blank">Jesus and Judaism</a>

John Dominic Crossan in The Historical Jesus provides an interesting contrast to the view of Jesus expounded by Sanders. A used copy can be found for as low as $7.49.

<a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0060616296/InternetInfidelsA" target="_blank">The Historical Jesus</a>

Marcus Borg and N. T. Wright square off in a series of essays that show two different perspectives on early Christianity and Jesus. A used copy can be found for as low as $4.50.

<a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0060608765/InternetInfidelsA" target="_blank">The Meaning of Jesus</a>

At $31.50, Raymond Brown's introduction to the New Testament is the most expensive in the lot, yet worth every penny. Brown proposes nothing radical in this introduction, which makes it all the more valuable as a guide to whatever consensus there may be on the New Testament.

<a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0385247672/InternetInfidelsA" target="_blank">An Introduction to the New Testament</a>

A used copy of Marvin Meyer's The Gospel of Thomas: The Hidden Sayings of Jesus can be found for $3.79. Meyer provides an introduction to the Gospel of Thomas along with a fresh translation.

<a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/006065581X/InternetInfidelsA" target="_blank">The Gospel of Thomas</a>

A used copy of Burton Mack's The Lost Gospel can be found for $4.99. Mack provides an introduction to the hypothetical Q (second source for Luke and Matthew) along with a translation.

<a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0060653752/InternetInfidelsA" target="_blank">The Lost Gospel</a>

Helmut Koester's Ancient Christian Gospels is virtually alone in providing a solid introduction to most of the gospels written in the first and second centuries. Koester's information should be interesting no matter what your stance on the historical Jesus. It's only $18.20.

<a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0334024501/InternetInfidelsA" target="_blank">Ancient Christian Gospels</a>

The total comes out to $96.97 plus shipping. Enjoy your summer reading!

Oh yes, you might also want to take a look at the online translations and information that is available through a web site that I set up... it is free!

<a href="http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/" target="_blank">http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/</a>

best,
Peter Kirby

Vinnie · 06-27-2002, 03:25 PM

The Intro to the NT by Brown is a great book. I'm reading the Borg/Wright book now.

I only payed 19 dollars for Crossan's The Historical Jesus and that was bran new. Brown's intro is 45 brand new and the Borg/Wright book is only 15 brand new. I'll probably buy Mack's the lost Gospel next.

CX · 06-28-2002, 07:24 AM

An outstanding list. I would only add The History & Theology of the New Testament Writings, by Udo Schnelle. In many ways it has supplanted Brown's intro text and I refer to it almost daily.

Michael Ledo · 06-29-2002, 01:37 PM

My serious list would be:

1)Barbara Walker's "Woman's Encyclopedia of Myth and Secrets"
2) "The Jesus Mysteries" Timothy Freke and Peter Gandy
3)Harper's Bible Commentary
4) a Concordance

My second tier

5)"Jesus" Charles Guignebert
6)"Jesus" An Historian's Review of the Gospels" Michael Grant
7)"Hebrew Myths" Robert Graves and Raphael Patai

third tier
8) all the works by G.R.S. Mead
9) all the works by Gerald Massey
10) "The Hidden Book in the Bible" Richard Freidman
11"The Story of Christian Origins" Martin Larson

06-27-2002, 02:41 PM	#1
Peter Kirby Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: the reliquary of Ockham's razor Posts: 4,035	Christianity for under $100 The topic of recommended books on the origins of Christianity came up on JesusMysteries. I thought that the folks here might be interested in a short list of recommendations. If you want to understand the issues around which discussion of the historical Jesus seems to revolve, you can do nothing better than to obtain a copy of Earl Doherty's book titled The Jesus Puzzle. The price is $14.50. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0968601405/InternetInfidelsA" target="_blank">The Jesus Puzzle</a> Awarded for best book on religion in the 1980s, Sanders' contribution Jesus and Judaism remains a worthwhile read, certainly one of the best interpretations of a historical Jesus. A used copy can be found for as low as $12. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0800620615/InternetInfidelsA" target="_blank">Jesus and Judaism</a> John Dominic Crossan in The Historical Jesus provides an interesting contrast to the view of Jesus expounded by Sanders. A used copy can be found for as low as $7.49. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0060616296/InternetInfidelsA" target="_blank">The Historical Jesus</a> Marcus Borg and N. T. Wright square off in a series of essays that show two different perspectives on early Christianity and Jesus. A used copy can be found for as low as $4.50. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0060608765/InternetInfidelsA" target="_blank">The Meaning of Jesus</a> At $31.50, Raymond Brown's introduction to the New Testament is the most expensive in the lot, yet worth every penny. Brown proposes nothing radical in this introduction, which makes it all the more valuable as a guide to whatever consensus there may be on the New Testament. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0385247672/InternetInfidelsA" target="_blank">An Introduction to the New Testament</a> A used copy of Marvin Meyer's The Gospel of Thomas: The Hidden Sayings of Jesus can be found for $3.79. Meyer provides an introduction to the Gospel of Thomas along with a fresh translation. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/006065581X/InternetInfidelsA" target="_blank">The Gospel of Thomas</a> A used copy of Burton Mack's The Lost Gospel can be found for $4.99. Mack provides an introduction to the hypothetical Q (second source for Luke and Matthew) along with a translation. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0060653752/InternetInfidelsA" target="_blank">The Lost Gospel</a> Helmut Koester's Ancient Christian Gospels is virtually alone in providing a solid introduction to most of the gospels written in the first and second centuries. Koester's information should be interesting no matter what your stance on the historical Jesus. It's only $18.20. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0334024501/InternetInfidelsA" target="_blank">Ancient Christian Gospels</a> The total comes out to $96.97 plus shipping. Enjoy your summer reading! Oh yes, you might also want to take a look at the online translations and information that is available through a web site that I set up... it is free! <a href="http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/" target="_blank">http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/</a> best, Peter Kirby

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06-27-2002, 03:25 PM	#2
Vinnie Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Waterbury, Ct, Usa Posts: 6,523	The Intro to the NT by Brown is a great book. I'm reading the Borg/Wright book now. I only payed 19 dollars for Crossan's The Historical Jesus and that was bran new. Brown's intro is 45 brand new and the Borg/Wright book is only 15 brand new. I'll probably buy Mack's the lost Gospel next.

06-28-2002, 07:24 AM	#3
CX Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Portlandish Posts: 2,829	An outstanding list. I would only add The History & Theology of the New Testament Writings, by Udo Schnelle. In many ways it has supplanted Brown's intro text and I refer to it almost daily.

06-29-2002, 01:37 PM	#4
Michael Ledo Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: SC Posts: 49	My serious list would be: 1)Barbara Walker's "Woman's Encyclopedia of Myth and Secrets" 2) "The Jesus Mysteries" Timothy Freke and Peter Gandy 3)Harper's Bible Commentary 4) a Concordance My second tier 5)"Jesus" Charles Guignebert 6)"Jesus" An Historian's Review of the Gospels" Michael Grant 7)"Hebrew Myths" Robert Graves and Raphael Patai third tier 8) all the works by G.R.S. Mead 9) all the works by Gerald Massey 10) "The Hidden Book in the Bible" Richard Freidman 11"The Story of Christian Origins" Martin Larson

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