Gerd Lüdemann

In this book, controversial New Testament scholar Gerd Ludemann investigates all of the references to Jesus' birth and the Holy Family in the writings of the early church and rival Jewish sources. He discusses what the New Testament stories set out to say, reconstructs the traditions used in them, and answers the question of what really happened at Jesus' birth. Here, then, is an honest attempt to wrestle with the "virgin birth" and its validity, or lack thereof, based on historical evidence.

"It is widely recognized by New Testament scholars that many of the sayings and actions attributed to Jesus in the gospels cannot be factually traced to him. The gospels, written many decades after the death of Jesus, are composites of hearsay, legends, and theological interpretations, reflecting the hopes and beliefs of the early Christian community more than the actual teachings of the Galilean prophet." "Despite these difficulties, Gerd Ludemann shows in this fascinating analysis of early Christian documents that the tools of historical research can succeed in reaching at least a close approximation of some of the original words and deeds of Jesus. Ludemann first establishes the criteria by which the alleged words and actions of Jesus can be judged authentic or inauthentic. He then examines every text about Jesus from the first two centuries. By this careful methodology, he is able to separate what the historical Jesus actually said and did from inaccurate legends later attached to his name."--Jacket.

It is widely recognized by New Testament scholars that many of the sayings and actions attributed to Jesus in the gospels cannot be factually traced to him. The gospels, written many decades after the death of Jesus, are composites of hearsay, legends, and theological interpolations, reflecting the hopes and beliefs of the early Christian community more than the actual teachings of the Galilean prophet.Despite these difficulties, Gerd Lüdemann shows in this fascinating analysis of early Christian documents that the tools of historical research can succeed in reaching at least a close approximation of some of the original words and deeds of Jesus. Unique in its comprehensiveness, Jesus After 2000 Years covers the canonical gospels, as well as the more recently discovered Gospel of Thomas and apocryphal Jesus traditions. Lüdemann concludes with a short life of Jesus in which he pieces together in narrative form what can be known about Jesus based on the historical evidence. Also included is an index of all authentic sayings and actions of Jesus. For all those with an interest in Christian origins, this volume is an invaluable resource.

"New Testament scholar Gerd Ludemann continues his exploration of the life and teachings of Paul in this groundbreaking monograph, which synthesizes the research of his earlier books on Christianity's leading apostle. Ludemann comes to the conclusion that Paul should be considered not only Christianity's most influential proselytizer, but in truth deserves the title of the founder of the religion that ostensibly originated with Jesus of Nazareth. Though other scholars have previously made the point that Paul's interpretation of the Christian message actually obscured the original teachings of Jesus, Ludemann goes further. His painstaking historical research shows that Paul created the major tenets of the Christianity we know today and that his theology - an original synthesis of Hebrew and Greek belief systems - differs significantly from what we now know the historical Jesus to have preached."--BOOK JACKET.