In the Footsteps of Jesus: Exploring the World of the Gospels

In the Footsteps of Jesus explores the world of Jesus through the lens of history. By understanding the political, social, and religious dynamics surrounding the Gospels, the reader will gain new insights into their meaning. Utilizing the best scholarship, this book is aimed at intellectually curious believers of all faiths. The reader will be able to imagine the diverse and vibrant world that Jesus inhabited. Covering a wide range of topics, the book describes the political interplay between Rome and Herod the Great and his descendants; the social tensions that led to great revolt and destruction of Jerusalem; the daily life of the people and the profound gap between rich and poor; family structure and the status of women; and the complex religious environment, including the role of the Pharisees, paganism and syncretism, the Temple cult, and the place of the apocryphal teachings in Judaism. Ancient literacy and the oral tradition are also analyzed, illuminating the role of eyewitnesses and the information network--or "holy internet"--of the ancient world. Questions emerge: Who wrote the Gospels? What was their genre? Who was the intended audience?