Ian Wilson

Jesus

The Evidence

London 1984

Stron 207, format: 18x25 cm

89 czarno-białych ilustracji

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Jesus Christ is unquestionably the most controversial and influential figure in the history of western civilization. For nearly twenty centuries the religion which bears his name has been a dominant force in the lives of ordinary people. It has played a major part in the political manoeuvrings of their leaders - sometimes honourably, sometimes shamefully - and has been an all-pervading influence in their culture. Today the Christian Church performs a unique role in the life of every western nation: millions are baptized, married and buried under the sign of the cross every year.

Jesus: the Evidence is a compelling, dispassionate appraisal of the facts surrounding the origins of Christianity. Drawing on all the most recent archaeological finds, including non-canonical gospel material, Ian Wilson examines a number of key historical questions. What evidence is there for the accepted story of Jesus' life and resurrection? To what extent is this story the product of social, cultural and political forces? What do we really know of his teachings? Did hypnosis play a part in his healings? Did Jesus intend that a religion should be founded in his name?

To the committed Christian, the book offers a fascinating new perspective to his or her beliefs. To the sceptic it provides a convincing explanation of why the beliefs centred on this one man have proved so powerful and so pervasive.

Illustrated without recourse to traditional Old Master images, the book reconstructs the Jesus of history using all the available circumstantial evidence - fragments of papyrus manuscripts and gospels, Roman graffiti and the earliest Christian art.

Jesus: the Evidence is the companion book to a major tv documentary series made by the prize-winning team who adapted for television Ian Wilson's earlier worldwide bestseller The Turin Shroud.

CONTENTS

author's preface 7

introduction 9

Discovering the Documents 12

The Fallibility of the Gospels 32

Did Jesus Even Exist? 51

Jesus, the Jew 66

Flouter of Convention 84

Man of Miracles 99

Why Was He Killed? 114

The Empty Tomb Mystery 137

How He Became God 157

The Real Jesus 175

notes and references 185

bibliography 197

acknowledgments 202

index 203