'Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth' by Reza Aslan provides a historical, sociological, and political viewpoint on the story of Jesus of Nazareth. It delves into the life of Jesus as a zealot Jew, a radical opponent of the Roman occupation of Palestine, and explores the collaboration between the Jewish priests and the Romans. The author explains the historical figure of Jesus in his time and place, shedding light on the miracles, the apostles, and the development of the Christian church.

Aslan's narrative is described as fascinating, thought-provoking, and challenging, particularly for readers who have grown up with religious backgrounds. offers a different perspective on Jesus as a man, not just the Christ, and delves into the historical context of his life, challenging traditional beliefs and providing a compelling exploration of the subject matter.

Writing/Prose:

The writing is engaging and conversational, balancing academic analysis with storytelling, making it accessible to a wide audience.

Plot/Storyline:

The book offers a historical exploration of Jesus's life, focusing on his role as a revolutionary figure and the socio-political context of first century Palestine.

Setting:

The setting is first century Palestine, focusing on the social, religious, and political dynamics of the time under Roman occupation.

Pacing:

The pacing is mostly fast, keeping readers engaged, though historical context can occasionally slow the narrative.

Who killed Jonathan son of Ananus as he strode across the Temple Mount in the year 56 C.E.? No doubt there were many in Jerusalem who longed to slay the rapacious high priest, and more than a few who ...

Genres:

Topics:

life of jesus

first century palestine

roman occupation

jewish zealotry

formation of early christianity

historical revisionism

religion vs. politics

cultural context

Notes:

Reza Aslan's book, Zealot, explores the life of Jesus of Nazareth from a historical and political perspective rather than a religious one.

The book portrays Jesus as a revolutionary figure striving for a Jewish state under God's rule, facing opposition from both Roman authorities and Jewish elites.

Aslan emphasizes the turbulent political climate of first-century Palestine, where many messiah figures emerged, leading to societal unrest and uprisings against Roman rule.

The narrative challenges many traditional beliefs about Jesus and presents him as part of a larger movement of zealotry among Jews at the time.

Much of what we know about Jesus comes from the New Testament, which Aslan analyzes for inconsistencies and historical distortions imposed by early Christians, particularly Paul.

Paul, who became a leading figure in early Christianity, is depicted as a controversial character who distanced Jesus's teachings from their Jewish roots to appeal to Gentiles.

Aslan argues that the transformation of Jesus from a historical figure to a divine figure was a gradual process influenced by the early church's needs to separate from Judaism after the destruction of the Temple in 70 CE.

The book suggests that the tunica of Jesus's message was altered significantly to create a new theology that centered around faith rather than adherence to Jewish law.

From The Publisher:

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

"A lucid, intelligent page-turner" (Los Angeles Times) that challenges long-held assumptions about Jesus, from the host of Believer

Two thousand years ago, an itinerant Jewish preacher walked across the Galilee, gathering followers to establish what he called the "Kingdom of God." The revolutionary movement he launched was so threatening to the established order that he was executed as a state criminal. Within decades after his death, his followers would call him God.

Sifting through centuries of mythmaking, Reza Aslan sheds new light on one of history's most enigmatic figures by examining Jesus through the lens of the tumultuous era in which he lived. Balancing the Jesus of the Gospels against the historical sources, Aslan describes a man full of conviction and passion, yet rife with contradiction. He explores the reasons the early Christian church preferred to promulgate an image of Jesus as a peaceful spiritual teacher rather than a politically conscious revolutionary. And he grapples with the riddle of how Jesus understood himself, the mystery that is at the heart of all subsequent claims about his divinity.

Zealot yields a fresh perspective on one of the greatest stories ever told even as it affirms the radical and transformative nature of Jesus' life and mission.

Praise for Zealot

"Riveting . . . Aslan synthesizes Scripture and scholarship to create an original account."-The New Yorker

"Fascinatingly and convincingly drawn . . . Aslan may come as close as one can to respecting those who revere Jesus as the peace-loving, turn-the-other-cheek, true son of God depicted in modern Christianity, even as he knocks down that image."-The Seattle Times

"[Aslan's] literary talent is as essential to the effect of Zealot as are his scholarly and journalistic chops. . . . A vivid, persuasive portrait."-Salon

"This tough-minded, deeply political book does full justice to the real Jesus, and honors him in the process."-San Francisco Chronicle

"A special and revealing work, one that believer and skeptic alike will find surprising, engaging, and original."-Jon Meacham, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power

"Compulsively readable . . . This superb work is highly recommended."-Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Ratings (5)

Incredible (1)
Liked It (2)
It Was OK (2)

Reader Stats (20):

Read It (6)
Want To Read (12)
Not Interested (2)

1 comment(s)

czanel840

Incredible

6 months

This is the best work of history I've read in some time. I'm not familiar with the subject matter (life in Palestine in the last decades BCE and the first decades CE, the life and mission of Jesus, and how the image Christians came to worship was created). This bears the earmarks of careful scholarship, however -- the endnotes provide references for the assertions, and when there is a difference of opinion among authorities, Aslan explains what the debate is and where he comes down on it. It is impressive to see the detailed story convincingly drawn out from the slender evidence available -- the New Testament (with careful explanations of which parts he considers historically accurate and which parts he considers additions or elaborations, and why), historical documents from the era, and sometimes archaeological evidence. It was a compelling read, and informed me about an era of Jewish history as well as about an alternative account of Jesus's life and mission.

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About the Author:

Reza Aslan is an acclaimed writer and scholar of religions whose books include No god but God: The Origins, Evolution, and Future of Islam and Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth. He is also the author of How to Win a Cosmic…

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Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth

Reza Aslan