Boy Jesus
Growing Up Judaean in Turbulent Times
Format:Hardback
Publisher:SPCK Publishing
Published:20th Feb '25
Should be back in stock very soon
Jesus grew up at a time of deep social disturbance, as the Jewish people struggled to come to terms with Roman occupation. Written by a leading historian of the period, this book explores the question, What would Jesus have witnessed, experienced and felt as a boy growing up in first-century Galilee?
'Enlightening and engaging, this is a must read for everyone interested in the historical Jesus and the birth of Christianity.' - Nick Holmes, author of The Roman Revolution: Crisis and Christianity in Ancient Rome What would Jesus have witnessed, experienced, and felt as a boy growing up in first-century Galilee? Jesus lived at a time of deep social disturbance, as the Jewish people struggled to come to terms with Roman occupation. As a boy, he was a refugee, an outsider, an immigrant in the Galilee in which he grew up. He was also a witness to horrific atrocities carried out by the occupying Roman overlords and their client rulers. All this and more is explored in this scholarly but highly accessible historical investigation. Joan Taylor, a world authority on the history and literature of the first century CE, draws both on the latest archaeological findings and on the historical clues found within key texts of the period. The result is a book that brings the story of Jesus' identity, birth and boyhood clearly to life as never before, while also pointing to the many ways in which his experiences as a child are likely to have influenced him in adulthood.
'Boy Jesus considers all the ancient texts and archaeological data connected with Jesus' birth and early years and comes up with some surprising conclusions... This is Joan Taylor at her best, offering an original, imaginative, clearly written and deeply thoughtful analysis of a range of exceptionally powerful texts. Her deep erudition and balanced judgement are everywhere on display.' -- Helen K. Bond, Professor of Christian Origins, University of Edinburgh
'Boy Jesus is perhaps the most thorough, accessible and compelling contextual treatment of Jesus' life to date. Everything from his tribal identity to his family and trade are given close examination. This book will be prized by anyone studying the historical Jesus or the Gospels, scholar or pastor alike.' -- Gary M. Burge, Adjunct Professor of New Testament, Calvin Theological Seminary, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA
'A thought-provoking and innovative investigation of a subject usually supposed beyond the reach of historians.' -- Ken Dark, Visiting Professor of Archaeology and History, King’s College London
'Enlightening and engaging, this is a must-read for everyone interested in the historical Jesus and the birth of Christianity.' -- Nick Holmes, author of The Roman Revolution: Crisis and Christianity in Ancient Rome
'Beautifully written and richly illustrated, Boy Jesus weaves recent archaeological discoveries with insightful textual analyses to construct the crucial background for understanding the world and memories behind the Jesus of the Gospels. A must read for anyone interested in the historical Jesus and Christian origins.' -- Jonathan L. Reed, Professor of Philosophy and Religion, University of La Verne, California
ISBN: 9780281084982
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: unknown
384 pages