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The Jesus Dynasty: The Hidden History of Jesus, His Royal Family, and the Birth of Christianity Paperback – Illustrated, April 24, 2007
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In The Jesus Dynasty, biblical scholar James Tabor brings us closer than ever to the historical Jesus. He explains the crucial relationship between Jesus, a royal descendant of David, and his relative John the Baptizer, a priestly descendant of Aaron and Jesus' teacher. When John was killed, several of his followers -- including Jesus' four brothers -- joined with Jesus, who continued John's mission, preaching the same apocalyptic message. After Jesus confronted the Roman authorities in Jerusalem and was crucified, his brother James succeeded him as the leader of the Jesus dynasty.
James Tabor has studied the earliest surviving documents of Christianity for more than thirty years and has participated in important archaeological excavations in Israel. His reconstruction of the life of Jesus and his followers, and of the early years of Christianity, will change our understanding of one of the most crucial moments in history.
- Print length400 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- Publication dateApril 24, 2007
- Dimensions6.13 x 1.2 x 9.25 inches
- ISBN-10074328724X
- ISBN-13978-0743287241
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"Provocative. . . . Takes the search for the historical Jesus to a bold . . . new level." -- Jay Tolson, U.S. News & World Report
"James Tabor stands out among his generation of biblical scholars for his thorough familiarity with the full range of textual evidence from the first centuries, his extensive experience with archaeological excavations, and his imagination and creativity. Tabor has a remarkable ability to discern the contours of vital religious movements from the scattered bits and pieces of evidence that survive from antiquity. Anyone who takes the career of Jesus seriously will have to reckon with his bold, new synthesis."
-- Professor Eugene V. Gallagher, Rosemary Park Professor of Religious Studies, Connecticut College
About the Author
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
Preface
DISCOVERING THE JESUS DYNASTY
It is a rare book that is forty years in the making. In some sense this is the case with The Jesus Dynasty. Over forty years ago, as a teenager, I made my first visit to the Holy Land with my parents and my sister. It was that experience that set me on my own lifelong "quest for the historical Jesus." This is the phrase scholars use to describe historical research over the past two hundred years related to Jesus and the origins of early Christianity.
What do we really know about Jesus and how do we know it? Forty years ago I had not even formulated the question with any sophistication. I knew nothing of archaeology, the Dead Sea Scrolls and other ancient texts, or historical research. But I had begun to read the Bible, particularly the New Testament, and had become fascinated with the figure of Jesus. On that Holy Land trip this interest began to develop into a more intense desire to know what could be known about him and to somehow touch that past.
I vividly remember walking around the Old City of Jerusalem. The city was thick with tourists, all Christians, no Jews or Israelis. This was before the 1967 Six Day War when the Old City of east Jerusalem was still ruled by Jordan. We were shown around by one of the hundreds of would-be resident guides who could be hired on the spot pressing upon anyone who looked like a tourist. We saw all the sites typically shown to Christian pilgrims -- the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Mount of Olives, the Garden of Gethsemane, the Upper Room of the Last Supper, and the Dome of the Rock, where the ancient Jewish Temple once stood. On such a tour one enters dozens of churches, all built centuries after the time of Jesus but supposedly at the precise place where this or that event took place.
Over the three days we were there I began to experience a growing sense of disappointment. I was having difficulty connecting, even in my imagination, 20th-century Jerusalem with the city in the time of Jesus as described in the New Testament. Even if the names and places were the same, and correctly identified, what I saw before me were Turkish, Crusader, and Byzantine remains, with little if anything from the 1st century a.d. visible. Even the modern street level, I learned, was twelve to fifteen feet above that of Roman times. I had purchased a tourist guidebook entitled Walking Where Jesus Walked, and somehow, in my naiveté, I wanted to do just that.
We stayed in a small hotel on top of the Mount of Olives just to the east of the Old City. About midnight, restless, I got out of bed, Bible in hand, and decided to walk to the Garden of Gethsemane at the foot of the mountain. The steep path down is now paved, but I could see bedrock cut or worn along the way on both sides, indicating this was the narrow road from ancient times. I imagined Jesus riding the donkey down that very path into the Old City, hailed by the crowds as Messiah, a week before he was crucified. In those days, unlike today, you could enter the Garden of Gethsemane at any hour, day or night, as the gate was always open. Visitors were also allowed to walk among the centuries-old olive trees. I was the only one there that night, at that hour. My reading had convinced me that this was the spot where Jesus spent the last night of his life in prayer. For the first time on our tour, on that path and in the garden, I felt that I was able to reach back and connect with the past that I sought. I stayed there for the longest time, trying to imagine it all. I kept thinking to myself -- this is the place. It happened here. The "historian" in me was awakening and I think a bit of the "archaeologist" as well. In some way I had begun what would become a lifelong quest to discover and to understand the life of Jesus as he lived it.
There is something in all of us that thrills to this experience of touching the past. It could be an old letter, a genealogical record, a battlefield, a cemetery, or fragments of an ancient text. Today in Israel you can visit the Shrine of the Book at the Israel Museum and view the Dead Sea Scrolls, which date to around the time of Jesus. I think many visitors experience the same feeling I did the first time I saw the displays. There, under glass, just a few inches away, are the actual ancient documents written over two thousand years ago. I remember pausing for long minutes before each exhibit, trying to take in the reality of what I was viewing. There one is looking at the very parchment or papyrus from that long-ago time, with words in Hebrew and Aramaic that could have been read by Jesus or his followers.
Many other sites in Jerusalem have now been excavated. You can walk or sit on the very steps that led up to the Jewish Temple built in the time of Herod the Great. When I first visited Jerusalem in 1962 these steps were twenty-five feet below the present surface, completely lost to modern eyes. In various places the paving stones of the streets of the Roman city have been exposed. Twelve feet below the modern street level, in the Jewish Quarter, you can walk in the ruins of a wealthy mansion, one that likely belonged to the family of high priests who presided over the trial of Jesus. In the summer of 2004 the pool of Siloam, mentioned in the New Testament, was uncovered, after being forgotten and hidden from view for centuries. All over the country the past is being exposed to the present by the spade of the archaeologist and equally by the deciphering of ancient texts by the historian.
I have since been back to Israel and Jordan dozens of times as a researcher and scholar. Whether I am digging an archaeological site, researching in a library, or studying firsthand a given area or location, my focus remains the same -- to recreate a past that has important relevance to our present. The Jesus Dynasty is a new historical investigation of Jesus, his royal family, and the birth of Christianity. At the same time it is a reflection of my own personal quest, integrating the results of my own discoveries and insights over the course of my professional career.
The Jesus Dynasty presents the Jesus story in an entirely new light. It is history, not fiction. And yet it differs considerably, sometimes radically, from the standard portrait of Jesus informed by theological dogma. The Jesus Dynasty proposes an original version of Christianity, long lost and forgotten, but one that can be reliably traced back to the founder, Jesus himself. The impact and implications of this book are far-reaching and potentially revolutionary. There is a sense in which one might call it "the greatest story never told." It will thrill and excite many, upset and anger others, but also challenge its readers, of whatever persuasion, to honestly weigh evidence and consider new possibilities.
The Jesus Dynasty has no connection to the recently popularized notions that Jesus married and fathered children through Mary Magdalene. While gripping fiction, this idea is long on speculation and short on evidence. But as is so often the case, the truth is even stranger than fiction -- and every bit as intriguing.
In The Jesus Dynasty you will discover that Jesus was the firstborn son of a royal family -- a descendant of King David of ancient Israel. He really was proclaimed "King of the Jews," and was executed by the Romans for this claim. Rather than a church, or a new religion, as commonly understood, he established a royal dynasty drawn from his own brothers and immediate family. Rather than being the founder of a church, Jesus was claimant to a throne. According to the Hebrew Prophets, the Messiah, the scion of David, who would lead the nation of Israel in the last days, was to spring from this specific lineage. Recently released portions of the Dead Sea Scrolls have shed further light on the concrete nature of this expectation. This coveted royal bloodline, the family of David, with its radical revolutionary potential, was well known to the Herod family, the native rulers of Palestine at the time, but also to the Roman officials who ruled the country, including the emperors themselves. These "royals" were not only watched, but also at critical times even hunted down and executed.
Shortly before he died, Jesus set up a provisional government with twelve regional officials, one over each of the twelve tribes or districts of Israel, and he left his brother James at the head of this fledgling government. James became the uncontested leader of the early Christian movement. This significant fact of history has been largely forgotten, or as likely, hidden. Properly understood, it changes everything we thought we knew about Jesus, his mission, and his message. Everyone has heard of Peter, Paul, and John -- but the pivotal place of James, the beloved disciple and younger brother of Jesus, has been effectively blotted from Christian memory.
The Jesus Dynasty explores how and why Christians gradually lost the recognition that Jesus was part of a large family, the members of which exercised dynastic leadership among his followers. This critical, alternative, story, which survives even in our New Testament records and in bits and pieces of later Christian tradition, can be effectively recovered. A combination of recent archaeological discoveries and the surfacing of texts long forgotten has given us a new perspective from which to view the birth of Christianity. Understanding the origins of this largest global religion not only offers us insights about the past, it also opens up whole new ways of seeing Christianity in our own day. We now have a sharper and more historically reliable understanding of Jesus as he was in his own time and place.
THE AMERICAN COLONY HOTEL, JERUSALEM
JUNE 7, 2005
Copyright © 2006 by James D.Tabor
Product details
- Publisher : Simon & Schuster; Illustrated edition (April 24, 2007)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 400 pages
- ISBN-10 : 074328724X
- ISBN-13 : 978-0743287241
- Item Weight : 1.1 pounds
- Dimensions : 6.13 x 1.2 x 9.25 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #463,458 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #856 in History of Religions
- #2,310 in History of Christianity (Books)
- #2,881 in Christian Church History (Books)
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About the author
James D. Tabor is retired as Professor of Christian Origins and Ancient Judaism in the Department of Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte where he taught since 1989, serving a decade as Dept Chair (2004-2014). Previously he held posts at Notre Dame and William and Mary. He holds a Ph.D. in biblical studies and early Christianity from the University of Chicago and is an expert on the Dead Sea Scrolls, late 2nd Temple Judaism, and Christian origins. The author of ten previous books, he is frequently consulted by the media on these topics and has appeared on numerous television and radio programs. For a complete Bio see jamestabor.com.
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Customers find the book well-researched and informative. They describe it as an interesting read that provides a solid historical context. The writing is clear and easy to understand. Readers appreciate the author's perspective, which leaves room for spirituality while challenging traditional views on Jesus.
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Customers find the book well-researched and informative. They appreciate the author's perspective and research on ancient legends and the Bible.
"...wonderful information to us in this very easy to read yet highly informative book that deals with the ancient information that most never learn..." Read more
"...There are many, many more interesting points made in this book. I highly recommend it." Read more
"...Ok..so setting aside that, This is a great book with a lot of well researched and noted new information for people interested in Yeshuah the..." Read more
"...It makes sense and opens possibilities for peaceful coexistence. If nothing else, it's thought provoking." Read more
Customers find the book engaging and interesting. They say it holds their attention and is a page-turner. Readers praise the research depth and narrative style.
"...Gospels record on who the women were at the Crucifiction is compelling and highly evocative work that draws the conciousness right back to the time..." Read more
"...It is a book that definitely holds the reader's attention. Each chapter is short, and his arguments are easy to follow...." Read more
"...least, confirmation bias. Ok..so setting aside that, This is a great book with a lot of well researched and noted new information for people..." Read more
"...Read with an open mind and forget everything you've been taught and you should learn something new...." Read more
Customers appreciate the historical context of the book. It provides a better understanding of events and textual discoveries. The book is thought-provoking and draws the reader back in time, providing a realistic account of early Christianity.
"...on who the women were at the Crucifiction is compelling and highly evocative work that draws the conciousness right back to the time of Christ in..." Read more
"...that, This is a great book with a lot of well researched and noted new information for people interested in Yeshuah the Jewish Teacher...." Read more
"...He has a thorough understanding of the life and times of First Century Israel, and an excellent ability to read the nuances in the Gospels to reveal..." Read more
"...If nothing else, it's thought provoking." Read more
Customers find the book's writing clear and concise. They appreciate the author's ability to read nuances in the Gospels and fill in gaps with plausible details. The book is easy to understand and an interesting read.
"...Tabor has really brought wonderful information to us in this very easy to read yet highly informative book that deals with the ancient information..." Read more
"...Each chapter is short, and his arguments are easy to follow...." Read more
"...of the life and times of First Century Israel, and an excellent ability to read the nuances in the Gospels to reveal underlying dynamics...." Read more
"...His writing is remarkably and pleasantly unideological and non-religious. He seems to have no hidden agenda, but it is clear that he smells a scoop...." Read more
Customers find the book's perspective on Jesus refreshing and challenging. They say it provides a realistic view of his life and mission, with an exploration of facts, ideas, and theory about early Christianity and Christ. The book also explores Jesus' family and the true beginning of the Christian faith.
"...It is just too powerful and wonderful to learn of Jesus' family especially His brother James who the New Testament describes as the elected head..." Read more
"...This is a historical investigation into the actual person of Jesus...." Read more
"...after all. Aside from the information, this book challenged some of my beliefs , which always ends up making me feel closer to Jesus, not..." Read more
"...His discussions of John the Baptist and Paul are excellent, and rise about similar discussions in competing books...." Read more
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Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on October 20, 2009James Tabor has really brought wonderful information to us in this very easy to read yet highly informative book that deals with the ancient information that most never learn of.
He does however propose some very controversial claims, such as Jesus had a paternal father in Roman soldier Pantera who was given mention by Celsus as he presents he learnt from Jesus' youngest brother Juda's descendents. I personally was not won over with this claim from this ancient antagonist to Christianity but regardless your position on these subjects this book cannot be passed by. It is just too powerful and wonderful to learn of Jesus' family especially His brother James who the New Testament describes as the elected head over Christ's First Church. Much like his contemporary Robert Eisenmann who is James' biographer, Tabor highlights the distinguishing differences between the Christianity of James to that of Paul who of course the Church has taken after for 2000 yrs of her History.
Tabors usage of 'Q' or Quell document asserting its existence I found to be a bit bothersome considering this has never been substantiated. This book is highly antagonistic toward the dogmatic Romanized religion and should prove to be quite a challenge to her divine magesterium...
One of Tabors thoeries which I have long suspected myself, is that the two double named Mary's at the Cross were in fact one Mother Mary the Mother of Christ and the Mother of at least five other children named in Scriptures as Jesus's brothers and sisters. He brings forth the issue of the addition made to the Gospel of Mark which we all have today in our Canon's inclusion despite there were translations which removed this 2nd c ending and it doesn't really take much stretch of the imagination to see how this could have very easily have been done by the copyists splitting mother Mary into two Marys, one being herself and the other being her sister who is curiously also named Mary and just so happens to have the same named children as those named in Scripture being Jesus' siblings. To my knowledge Salome is the only sister of Jesus that we know the name of from historical tests, and the one Gospel account has her named with these two Mary's. Historical writings reveal that Clopas was the brother of Joseph and according to Moshe Law the surviving brother is impelled to marry his brothers widow if there is no male child. This is called a Yibbum marriage and there is example of it in Scripture. One of the brothers of Jesus is named Joses which is short like Josy for Joseph. The naming a male heir after the deceased brother is required.
Another tug at the concious when reading the Gospels are the two lineages of Jesus. They never really made sense and we know that Christ Himself claims Davidic bloodline as recipient of the Promise to David. Tabor does do a very good job making his case in this regard.
His highlighting what the remaining Gospels record on who the women were at the Crucifiction is compelling and highly evocative work that draws the conciousness right back to the time of Christ in His authentic Jewish setting. Any and all students of religion need to read this work.
He also spotlights the mission of Jesus in His historical efforts in contrast to some highly mythologized beliefs that have crept into the Church and even become Dogma's of Rome.
Unlike DaVinci Code, some of these conspiracy theories-are not fiction.
- Reviewed in the United States on March 25, 2012The main point of Dr. Tabor's book is that Christianity, as it originally was, has been largely lost these last two thousand years. He makes the case that there are two competing narratives as to who Jesus was, and how Jesus viewed his own mission. These two competing narratives are in the New Testament. The first narrative is that of the Q source and James's epistle. The other narrative is outlined in the epistles of Paul. Dr. Tabor sees them as irreconcilable. The original Christian narrative has Jesus' teaching about the Kingdom of God as central. The Pauline narrative has the person of Christ as central.
Tabor makes the case that Paul's teaching is based on visions, as opposed to actually meeting Jesus in the flesh. James's teaching is based on being the brother of Jesus, and being intimately acquainted with what his brother taught. A very interesting point is that Paul introduces a very pagan idea into his version of the Christian faith. The Old Testament forbids the drinking of blood. In 1 Corinthians 11:25, Paul puts the following words in Jesus' mouth, "This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me." No God-fearing Jew would drink the blood of an animal, let alone a person---even symbolically. As Dr. Tabor says, "Such an idea simply could not have come from Jesus as a Jew."
Needless to say, there are other areas where the generally accepted view of various Biblical sayings and doctrines are defined in different ways. For example, the "Son of Man," traditionally understood as Jesus, has an entirely different meaning according to Dr. Tabor. The "Son of Man" has to do with God's people ruling Israel and the world justly. There is much more to this argument. However, if this view was the view of Jesus, then the Gospel's view cannot be correct. Tabor also argues that there were to be two messiahs: John the Baptizer and Jesus. John was to rule from Jerusalem as a priest in Aaron's line. Jesus was to rule as King in the Davidic line. Of course when John was killed, a reassessment had to occur. There are many other such points that Tabor makes. He does so in very fine fashion. It is a book that definitely holds the reader's attention. Each chapter is short, and his arguments are easy to follow.
This is a historical investigation into the actual person of Jesus. The reader should not expect that Dr. Tabor makes the assumption that Jesus was born of a virgin, or that he flew into the clouds as he ascended into heaven. These ideas are theology; they are not history. He seeks to take various parts of the Bible, and his understanding of various archeological finds, in order to construct a plausible narrative as to who Jesus truly was, and how Jesus viewed himself. There are many, many more interesting points made in this book. I highly recommend it.
- Reviewed in the United States on June 5, 2021It's probably worth mentioning that having been raised atheist and then studying the bible as an adult with no religious upbringing, I had independently come to a lot of the conclusions that this book leads to though I did not have the breath of studyand wealth of facts behind it that is presented here. .In particular, that Paul's epistles seem to be a religion ABOUT Jesus, that Jesus never taught. In that respect, Tabor's work is , for me at least, confirmation bias.
Ok..so setting aside that, This is a great book with a lot of well researched and noted new information for people interested in Yeshuah the Jewish Teacher. I had previously read a lot of Tabor's blog articles and wondered if there was anything in the book he hadn't already covered. There are quite a few surprises and lots of details that he has only alluded to in his posts. I had read a review saying they weren't sure if JT himself really believed this....well, any well written book isn't going to tell you what they believe...bring to light some obscure facts and sources, arrange them in a sensible narrative and let the reader decide for them self. He does this with poise and grace.
He presents his opinions but also leaves the door open to skepticism and inquiry like any good teacher should. I caught myself stopping, reading the notes and looking up his sources and it was spot on. I learned a lot of new stuff that made me think that my original, biased thoughts about 'Paulinism' vs. 'Jesusism' weren't so crazy after all.
Aside from the information, this book challenged some of my beliefs , which always ends up making me feel closer to Jesus, not farther.
Good book. Read it.
Top reviews from other countries
- Paulraj Yeshwant HanchinmaniReviewed in Sweden on May 10, 2023
1.0 out of 5 stars Ignorant
Ignorantly written
- Erik StarReviewed in Canada on December 22, 2018
5.0 out of 5 stars Asking questions will lead to answers
James Tabor, is another of my favorite authors on religious topics. What makes it most interesting is adding archaeology to the mix of progressive understanding. In my own education i studied anthropology, psychology, religions, languages, and sciences. The best teachers put all of these fields together because just one will not totally/honestly give one full enough answers. Life is full of information, on all kinds of levels, and if one is curious, open minded, and seeking answers which aren't just sitting on the surface, as we have been taught to believe, especially in religions, then one is primed, and ready to go on an historical adventure, which includes religion.
To believe that This Book is the word of god seems a bit brash to me. If i wanted to go just into a real step, and not live in that fantasy 'god' would simply tell me directly, and i would hear. And there we are. Eliminating all of the metaphors, false beliefs, real beliefs, sorrows, pain, suffering, etc...which are told in contradictory stories. I was feld the Theology, and i wanted facts. Historical evidence, and some supposition based on evidential facts makes my world go round. I didn't imagine NASA, physics, mathematics, etc....they are real, and have evolved thru curious people searching for real answers. Life never stops surprising us. So let's not stay stagnated in the worlds and beliefs of ancient times, which don't connect to the present. For Example, why believe, in a 'present, and invisible god' when you can still believe in Mesopotamian, Greek, Egyptian, Roman, Celtic, Nordic, Indian, Hindu, etc...gods. Why the multiplicity of gods? Because we humans don't know any better, and once indoctrinated, we will not budge into learning more. Sad, i say. Because i do believe that life-long learning is the way. Life changes, and so do we, and so do our thoughts/feelings. To set them in stone leads us into so many sorrowful ways, as our human history has made abundantly clear.
if someone wants to stay in adolescent ways, and stop learning past our first stage of life so be it. But don't criticize others, don't preach that others are wrong, and that you are the Only Way into the Vast Beyond of Knowing. And in not knowing, telling me that i must have faith in the invisible is a bit of blarney. I no longer believe in Santa Claus, the Bunny Rabbit, nor other people like Peter Pan, etc.
It takes a moment or two of thinking where in life are we going, singularly, as individuals, and as a culture, and as a society, and as humanity. If we cannot step outside of our own selfish thinking, then then isn't much hope of Peace upon this Earth.
Amen.
- James TaborReviewed in Australia on September 21, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars A brilliant author
I like this book especially as it is written by a reknown Professor. I enjoyed the scientific evidence James Tabor uses in his writings
- GaëlleReviewed in Germany on January 5, 2015
5.0 out of 5 stars Spannend
I really loved that book and read it once in one straight, and a second time more slowly. It's a fascinating perspective for me (a christian) to read this book written by a jewish archeologist. I would highly recommend it to anyone (except to a dogmatic christian).
- Catherine RocheReviewed in the United Kingdom on August 29, 2014
5.0 out of 5 stars This is an investigation into the life of the historical ...
This is an investigation into the life of the historical Jesus - what do we know about him and how do we know it?. The author having visited the Holy Land 'wanted to walk where Jesus walked.' Late at night Tabor takes a walk into the Garden of Gethsemane and he is overcome by the need to know. He mounts an investigation, albeit a controversial one. Who was Jesus' mother? - how could she be a virgin?. What about Joseph? What did people say when he became betrothed to a pregnant woman?. Why is Joseph mentioned so rarely in the Bible? Did Jesus have siblings? What part did they play in the flowering and advancement of this new religion which stressed the spiritual side of life and spoke about a loving, forgiving God? Tabor tells us it is almost impossible to write a biography of Jesus' life. The four Gospels are supposed to tell us all about this mesmeric, holy man but touch only lightly on his childhood and the years prior to his ministry at the age of 33 years.
He fills us in with the Roman occupation occupation, of king Herod, of the political unrest from the Jews. The Romans would not tolerate usurping of their power - hence Herod's behaviour at even the thought of another 'king' of the Jews. The question is sometimes posed about who killed
Jesus? The Romans? Pontious Pilate, the Jews?
The author examines the part St Paul played in spreading this religion - and it is a huge part. He seems to do it almost single handedly.. He investigates Jesus' brother James and narrates the part he played - but it is Paul who gives the religion its theology.
There's another mystery - what happened to the body?
This is a riveting book about a charismatic holy man who changed the course of history. The question of the body remains unanswered. Jesus' body has never been found
This is an exciting and absorbing book which makes the reader want to learn more. Read it..
The author also considers the part Paul played in masterminding the spread of the new religion, later called 'Christinaity' - he examines James the Just, the brother of Jesus and informs us of the part he played. We note that James is not mentioned much in the New Testament. But of course it was Paul who opened the door to the Gentiles and so to all of humanity.
This is a riveting account of a charismatic individual who was brutally murdered and whose body has never been found. .