A response to zealot by reza aslan the good book blog biola. The book that changed reza aslans mind about jesus the. Reza aslan, author of zealot religious scholar reza aslan found that he was much more interested in studying jesus as a human being than as the figure he learned about in church. Writing with all the verve and brilliance we have come to expect from his pen, reza aslan has once more produced a book that will prompt reflection and shatter assumptions. Reza aslan tells an old story about jesus christianity today.
The life and times of jesus of nazareth 9782523470201. The book that changed reza aslans mind about jesus the religious scholar from the viral fox news interview explains how dostoevskys the brothers karamazov taught him the difference between faith. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read zealot. It is a historical account of the life of jesus and. He responded by citing and reciting his academic credentials. Thinking about the history of jesus requires thinking historically about the era in which he lived and the circumstances surrounding the early stories written about him.
Sales for this scholarly book have broken every record in the category of religious studies. The life and times of jesus of nazareth, which has been criticised as a fastpaced demolition of christianity and muslim. Because so many hundreds of books of this type have been published, aslans book would most likely not have. Religious scholar reza aslan talks about his new book zealot, which uncovers the life of jesus of nazareth as a historical figure. Reza aslan, interviewed on fox news about his controversial book.
The life and times of jesus of nazareth has come to dominate every book sales index in america, and his fifteen foxminutes of fame have been viewed by millions. Reza aslan was a christian but converted back to the faith of his forefathers, islam. Larry hurtado described the thesis circulating in lay circles, that jesus was a military revolutionary, as a zombie idea from what i gather, a key conclusion of aslans 20 book which had been debunked over and. The life and times of jesus of nazareth, has been pronounced and strong. He does for religious history what bertolt brecht did for playwriting. The life and times of jesus of nazareth, reza aslan follows this long tradition, settling on the hypothesis, also around for. From the internationally bestselling author of no god but god comes a fas. The origins, evolution, and future of islam, beyond fundamentalism. The life and times of jesus of nazareth is genuinely shocking. At one point in his book zealot, reza aslan provides a brief survey of the various jewish preachers, prophets, bandits, and messiahs asl20, p49 whose zeal for god threatened to subvert roman authority in the decades leading up to the war, and jesus of nazareth only merits passing mention there. The life and times of jesus of nazareth by reza aslan. When fox news lauren green asked reza aslan why, as a muslim, he would write a book about jesus, he answered that it was his job as an historian of religionswhich would have been a. Jesus the apolitical man of peace who turns the other cheek. Seeing ancient palestine as a hot bed of revolutionary activity, he finds the most plausible explanation of the historical jesus as one which sees jesus as revolutionary.
Just two weeks after aslans interview on nprs fresh air, his interpretation of jesus life and intentions has attained number one status on bestseller lists. In zealot, reza aslan argues that jesus of nazareth was a man at war, not a man of peace. The book that changed reza aslans mind about jesus the atlantic. The life and times of jesus of nazareth the new york. He has a master of theological studies degree from harvard university, in world religions, and a ph. In zealot, reza aslan doesnt just synthesize research and reimagine a lost world, though he does those things very well. As a revolutionary, jesus handpicks an army of disciples to establish gods physical kingdom on earth. Any major title which claims to reveal or shed light on the real or historical jesus is immediately of interest, and can be quite polarizing. The life and times of jesus of nazareth ebook written by reza aslan. Aug 09, 20 reza aslan tells an old story about jesus the authors portrait of a wouldbe political revolutionary relies on outdated scholarship and breathtaking leaps in logic. Jul 15, 20 reza aslan converted to christianity when he was a teenager, but became more interested in jesus than as a messiah. The life and times of jesus of nazareth random house, 20, is in most ways a typical attempt to paint a. Zealot author reza aslan on jesus of history versus jesus of faith. The life and times of jesus of nazareth reza aslan.
Writer and scholar reza aslans new book, zealot, attempts to peel back 2,000 of christian theology to reveal a very human jesus living in radical political times. In jesus world, zealot referred to those jews who adhered to a widely. Seeing ancient palestine as a hot bed of revolutionary activity, he finds the most plausible explanation of the historical jesus as one which sees jesus as revolutionary who was ultimately crucified for his antiroman views. Rezas book offers an alternative perspective on the life of jesus with the fundamental premise that jesus was a jew and everything he said and did must be understood in this context.
A human history, is aimed at the analytically minded spiritual seeker, the type who hopes to answer deep questions on the divine with study data and tidbits. The greatest surprise is that for reza aslan jesus is a zealot who was crucified because he fomented sedition against rome. Aug 02, 20 he later studied jesus of nazareth in college, which led aslan to a doctorate in the sociology of religion. The life and times of jesus of nazareth, his book that has been stirring up some. Zealot author reza aslan on jesus of history versus. The rest of the book is devoted to fleshing out this portrait and explaining how and why paul. Reza aslan s bachelors degree is in religious studies, with an emphasis on scripture and traditions which at santa clara university means the new testament. By stephen prothero, special to cnn cnn as you might have heard, lauren green at fox didnt do a very good job interviewing reza aslan on his new book about the historical jesus. The life and times of jesus of nazareth random house, 20, is in most ways a typical attempt to paint a new picture of jesus. Do you consider reza aslan to be a recognised scholar of early christianity. Reza also has a master of fine arts degree from the university of iowa. Aug 06, 20 the book that changed reza aslans mind about jesus. Aslan, author of no god but god, profiles christ as.
I think this is a fact that many christians today forget. A vivid, persuasive portrait of the world and societies in which jesus lived and the role he most likely played in both. The life and times of jesus of nazareth a massive bestseller. Reza aslan book is a readable defense of the schweitzerian theory of jesus so called because it was popularized by albert schweitzer in his quest for the historical jesus. Now aslans controversial new book about jesus is about to make him a bestselling author. When fox news lauren green asked reza aslan why, as a muslim, he would write a book about jesus, he answered that it was his job as an historian of religionswhich would have been a good answer, if it had been true. Reza aslan defends controversial new book on jesus the. In aslans telling, jesus was a political revolutionary who fought for social justice, championed the downtrodden, and sought actively to. Larry hurtado described the thesis circulating in lay circles, that jesus was a military revolutionary, as a zombie idea from what i gather, a key conclusion of aslans 20 book which had been debunked over and over again by scholarship in the past century.
Why did you title your biography of jesus of nazareth zealot. Reza aslans bachelors degree is in religious studies, with an emphasis on scripture and traditions which at santa clara university means the new testament. He later studied jesus of nazareth in college, which led aslan to a doctorate in the sociology of religion. Aslan may come as close as one can to respecting those who revere jesus as the peaceloving, turntheothercheek, true son of god depicted in modern christianity, even as he knocks down that image. Confronting religious extremism in the age of globalization, zealot. Aslans doctorate in the sociology of religions encompasses expertise in the history of religion. What reza aslan actually says about jesus cnn belief. A response to zealot by reza aslan the good book blog. Aslans literary talent is as essential to the effect of zealot.
His goal was to restore israel and reign as a real king now118, 123, 214. Jul 31, 20 reza aslan appeared on fox news while publicising his book zealot. Aslan spoke with pbs newshour correspondent ray suarez. Reza aslan tells an old story about jesus the authors portrait of a wouldbe political revolutionary relies on outdated scholarship and breathtaking leaps in. Reza aslan converted to christianity when he was a teenager, but became more interested in jesus than as a messiah. The book that changed reza aslans mind about jesus. Praise for reza aslans zealot meticulously researched this book challenges many longheld assumptions about the man whose life and teachings form the foundations of christianity. Sep 20, 20 if you lived in firstcentury palestine and encountered a charismatic visionary named jesus, what would you think. When i saw that reza aslans portrait of jesus, zealot.
Because its that time of year, i took the opportunity to read a much debated but fascinating book about the historical jesus, zealot. Confronting religious extremism in the age of globalization. His book, zealot, considers jesus in the context of the time and place he lived in. Scholars and believers alike tend to contrast sharply the founders of christianity and islam. Just two weeks after aslan s interview on nprs fresh air, his interpretation of jesus life and intentions has attained number one status on bestseller lists. The authors source material is familiar to scholars. The life and times of jesus of nazareth, had risen to number one on the new york times bestseller list, i must confess, i was both. Aslan is not the yrst author to consider the case of the historical jesus, but his. In zealot, aslan aligns himself with the scholarschristian and otherwisewho argue for a clear distinction between jesus christ, leading man.
Aslan rips jesus out of all the contexts we thought he belonged in and holds him forth as someone entirely new. In his book, zealot, resa aslan provides a valuable and compelling historical framework for approaching these topics, but ends up using it to say more about the development of early christianity than about jesus. Fox news anchor lauren green had religious scholar reza aslan on her show friday to talk about zealot. Aslan is currently professor of creative writing at the university of california, riverside, with a joint appointment in the department of religion. It is a historical account of the life of jesus and analyzes the various religious perspectives on jesus as well as the creation of christianity. Reza aslans toecurling fox news interview may be the weeks hottest viral clip, but lizzie crocker says his book zealot.
The life and times of jesus of nazareth as are his scholarly and journalistic chops. I have not completed my evaluation of reza aslans popular, interesting, and wellwritten account of jesus, zealot to this point i have merely tried to show that despite his claims e. Reza aslan, an internationally acclaimed writer and scholar of religions, according to his online biography, has gotten a boost in sales and popularity from his embarrassing interview with a fox news anchor about his new book, zealot. The life and times of jesus of nazareth has taken off as a cultural phenomenon. The life and times of jesus of nazareth, reza aslan follows this long tradition, settling on the hypothesis, also around for hundreds of years, that jesus was a jewish. Muslim author reza aslans book about jesus goes top of. Aslan is a member of the american academy of religion, the society of biblical literature, and the international quranic studies association. Aug 02, 20 in zealot, reza aslan argues that jesus of nazareth was a man at war, not a man of peace.
Reza aslan, author of zealot religious scholar reza aslan found that he was much more interested in studying jesus as a human being than as. Zealot author reza aslan on jesus of history versus jesus. The life and times of jesus of nazareth 20 is an historical account of the life of jesus, which analyzes the various religious perspectives on jesus, as well as the creation of christianity. The life and times of jesus of nazareth is a book by iranianamerican writer and scholar reza aslan. Instead of asking him about zealot, she asked him why, as a muslim, he would presume to write a book about jesus. Reza aslan is an iranianamerican scholar of religious studies, writer, and television host. If you lived in firstcentury palestine and encountered a charismatic visionary named jesus, what would you think. It sits on top of both the amazon bestseller lists and the new york times top ten, where it. The life and times of jesus of nazareth, reza aslan zealot. Reza aslan appeared on fox news while publicising his book zealot. The seattle times aslans literary talent is as essential to the effect of zealot as are his scholarly and journalistic chops.
Ehrman, author of how jesus became god reza aslan offers so much to relish in his excellent human history of god. Jul 28, 20 fox news anchor lauren green had religious scholar reza aslan on her show friday to talk about zealot. Aslan, author of no god but god, profiles christ as a man of his time. Sep 24, 20 religious scholar reza aslan talks about his new book zealot, which uncovers the life of jesus of nazareth as a historical figure.
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