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A Hitchhiker's Guide to Jesus: Reading the Gospels on the Ground
This imaginative approach to Jesus studies chronicles the journey of Norm, a fictional college graduate who travels to the Middle East to see if he can study Jesus and follow him at the same time, and if curiosity will make him a better disciple or no disciple at all.
Norm sets out on an adventure to investigate the New Testament and the life of Jesus for himself, hitchhiking simultaneously across the Gospels and the land. His travels offer students and lay readers a creative and engaging way to explore many of the major questions in Jesus studies today. Will Norm be able to reconcile his Christian faith with critical scholarship? As readers follow his faith journey, they learn the importance of asking probing questions. The book's lavish, journal-style interior design--featuring maps, photos, doodles, sketches, and email exchanges between Norm and his professor--makes it fun to read.
Norm sets out on an adventure to investigate the New Testament and the life of Jesus for himself, hitchhiking simultaneously across the Gospels and the land. His travels offer students and lay readers a creative and engaging way to explore many of the major questions in Jesus studies today. Will Norm be able to reconcile his Christian faith with critical scholarship? As readers follow his faith journey, they learn the importance of asking probing questions. The book's lavish, journal-style interior design--featuring maps, photos, doodles, sketches, and email exchanges between Norm and his professor--makes it fun to read.
288 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
April 24, 2023
Welllll, it was a book that taught me a decent amount in the historical aspect. But theologically, I disagreed a lot. The author’s opinions are definitely one of the most opinions of all time.
There were Monty Python references, so that I enjoyed.
There were Monty Python references, so that I enjoyed.
December 31, 2012
"A fictional account of a religious studies student going to the Middle East to investigate "where Jesus walked." I'm using this as a textbook in my Historical Jesus class in the spring. It's fun! Some of it is a little contrived, as the didactic purposes seem to override the narrative purposes. When one realizes that it was written by a biblical scholar rather than a novelist, one can forgive these "venial sins."" (12-24-12?)
The book seemed awfully rushed at the end, as Fisk brings up all these questions, offers possible answers, and then moves on. Also, throughout the book it seemed somewhat overly focused on what Jesus thought (about his death, entry into Jerusalem, templet action, etc.) and less focused on what Jesus actually taught. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the book. I commend Fisk for the novelistic approach, and I look forward to using it in class next semester. (12-31-12)
The book seemed awfully rushed at the end, as Fisk brings up all these questions, offers possible answers, and then moves on. Also, throughout the book it seemed somewhat overly focused on what Jesus thought (about his death, entry into Jerusalem, templet action, etc.) and less focused on what Jesus actually taught. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the book. I commend Fisk for the novelistic approach, and I look forward to using it in class next semester. (12-31-12)
August 8, 2014
We'd like to know what Jesus was really like -- what he said and did. In the character of a graduate student traveling around Israel, Bruce Fisk examines the issues and cuts through the academic quagmire, winding up with some (to me) eminently reasonable conclusions. Extra bonus: sprinklings of Monty Python.
November 12, 2018
This is a rather ambivalent book in many ways. The author combines a certain sense of openness with a desire to rise above orthodox certainty without being biased against the Bible. He comes to an appreciation of the Bible as literature, but in doing so manages to run afoul of Israeli settlers and shows up late but an honored guest at an Arab Israeli wedding and wrestles with a complicated response to the evidence he sees on the ground, which is continually being argued over by people with different ideas and viewpoints and perspectives. If the author comes off looking like a real person, he doesn't exactly come off as someone whose opinion about the Bible is trustworthy, because he views himself a critic and a judge of the biblical texts (if in his mind a sympathetic one) rather than someone who views himself as being held accountable by God and Jesus Christ by the biblical text. And as a higher critic, no matter how mild, his views are simply not as authoritative as he would like them to be. But the author frames his story in such a way that one is intended to feel sympathy with him and with the Arabs of Israel and the West Bank, putting him squarely in the camp of those liberal Christians who do so much harm in the world at large.
In terms of its contents, if not its approach, there is much to like about the book. The author writes about a trip to Israel he took as a young adult, a trip interrupted by terrible news about the health of his mother, in order to help sort out what he felt about the Bible in light of the reality on the ground. The text is a bit more than 200 pages and is divided into seven chapters where the author sees ruins, deals with security issues, and gets to know people while pursuing his biblical investigations and does a lot of good reading. The book features a lot of notes about what other readers have said and sticky notes that add to the aesthetic appeal of the book as a whole, all of which offers considerable enjoyment. The author introduces his discussion of a crisis of faith after having studied religion in college (1) and looks for historical ghosts at the Jordan River (2). He seeks to find room at the inn in Bethlehem not only for himself but also for his worldview (3), and looks at the mist and mystery of Jerusalem (4) and the world of Galilee (5). He then closes with a discussion of the wall of tears (6) and what it is like being on this side of the tomb (7).
Throughout this book we witness the author talking about true love and dealing with others, from friendly Israelis to shady antiquities dealers involved in the black market. He discusses the Jesus seminar as if they were serious thinkers about the Bible and finds himself uncomfortable around orthodox believers, as well as dealing with the question of biblical prophecy and the relevance of scripture today. He shows himself a person who can read well but is not nearly as good a thinker--then or now--as he fancies himself to be. There are many people like the author, though, and it is probably not worthwhile to hammer them too much for their belief in their own approach to the biblical text. After all, everyone is justified in their own eyes, and that is as true of the author as it is of those who will read the book, likely with different perspectives and approaches than the author. Like the author, we are all faced with the responsibility of looking at the reality of the Bible on the ground [1] and in the text and to address where we stand and how we accept the judgment of God on our lives and on our deeds.
[1] See, for example:
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2018...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2017...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2016...
In terms of its contents, if not its approach, there is much to like about the book. The author writes about a trip to Israel he took as a young adult, a trip interrupted by terrible news about the health of his mother, in order to help sort out what he felt about the Bible in light of the reality on the ground. The text is a bit more than 200 pages and is divided into seven chapters where the author sees ruins, deals with security issues, and gets to know people while pursuing his biblical investigations and does a lot of good reading. The book features a lot of notes about what other readers have said and sticky notes that add to the aesthetic appeal of the book as a whole, all of which offers considerable enjoyment. The author introduces his discussion of a crisis of faith after having studied religion in college (1) and looks for historical ghosts at the Jordan River (2). He seeks to find room at the inn in Bethlehem not only for himself but also for his worldview (3), and looks at the mist and mystery of Jerusalem (4) and the world of Galilee (5). He then closes with a discussion of the wall of tears (6) and what it is like being on this side of the tomb (7).
Throughout this book we witness the author talking about true love and dealing with others, from friendly Israelis to shady antiquities dealers involved in the black market. He discusses the Jesus seminar as if they were serious thinkers about the Bible and finds himself uncomfortable around orthodox believers, as well as dealing with the question of biblical prophecy and the relevance of scripture today. He shows himself a person who can read well but is not nearly as good a thinker--then or now--as he fancies himself to be. There are many people like the author, though, and it is probably not worthwhile to hammer them too much for their belief in their own approach to the biblical text. After all, everyone is justified in their own eyes, and that is as true of the author as it is of those who will read the book, likely with different perspectives and approaches than the author. Like the author, we are all faced with the responsibility of looking at the reality of the Bible on the ground [1] and in the text and to address where we stand and how we accept the judgment of God on our lives and on our deeds.
[1] See, for example:
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2018...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2017...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2016...
April 5, 2018
An amazing volume for anyone who has ever asked the tough questions about Jesus, his life and ministry. Follows one man's experiences trekking through the Holy Land, encountering all kinds of colourful people, events and cultural perspectives. Filled with humour, poignancy, and challenging information, drawing on the work of many scholars and condensing the main issues into easy-to-grasp sections. The book was drawn from the author's actual journal, kept through an extended stay in Israel after graduating university with a degree in Biblical Studies. Working through the many perspectives coming from 'the quest for the historical Jesus,' the book is designed to look like a journal, with highlighted quotes and information printed as 'post-it notes' in the margins, handwritten annotations throughout the text, and personal photos inserted. Helpful charts are also included, as well as reproduced emails and iconic quotes/scenes from films (Monty Python, in particular). Anyone interested in understanding the historical Jesus will find this treatment of the topic, through the lens of personal experience, a breath of fresh air.
January 26, 2018
The book aims to introduce beginning scholars to biblical research without destroying their faith. The author covers many of the contemporary ideas around the key themes and moments in Jesus's life. He doesn't give answers so much as examine the questions. I found many of the ideas to be intriguing and the book gave me much food for thought.
However the structure of the book did not ring true for me. The main character is supposed to be a college student journeying around Israel, but he never seemed young to me.
However the structure of the book did not ring true for me. The main character is supposed to be a college student journeying around Israel, but he never seemed young to me.
December 20, 2018
Interesting format that was very thought-provoking, but he certainly had an agenda and didn't tell both sides of most stories to make Jews look bad.
November 3, 2022
Very odd organization and approach. Basically felt like a random and whimsical walk through the authors musings on various bible passages/stories!
December 12, 2024
It was eh
June 10, 2016
The quest for the historical Jesus is littered with boring books; not so this one. Professor Bruce Fisk has combined the fictional story of Norm, a post-grad student exploring Israel in a personal quest to discover the ‘real’ Jesus with a textbook to all the historical and theological issues that arise from reading the Gospels to brilliant effect.
Here are a few reasons why; firstly, the storyteller is Norm, and the first person narrative makes this easy to read and not a laborious academic exercise. It gives the book pace and allows Fisk to weave in contemporary political issues and characters such as Elias Chacour or fictional Rabbi’s covertly praying on the Temple Mount. It also gives the book character and allows for the introduction of archaeology giving the reader a much better sense of place than other textbooks.
Secondly the design is a huge advantage. With sketches, pictures, post-it notes and textbook scrawls the information becomes more accessible than ever.
Thirdly and actually most importantly, of course, is the content. Fisk knows his stuff and is sensitive to the challenges that New Testament scholarship can pose to the naïve Christian student unaware of the pitfalls that lie ahead.
There are no definitive answers here but as an introduction to the issues at stake this is by far the best I’ve come across. Not only should it be on every theology student’s suggested reading list but if that student was a Christian then this is a must read because of the superb way it handles the tension between faith and the academy. However limiting it to theology students would be a mistake, for any reader interested in reading an introduction to the study of Jesus then this would be an excellent place to start.
Here are a few reasons why; firstly, the storyteller is Norm, and the first person narrative makes this easy to read and not a laborious academic exercise. It gives the book pace and allows Fisk to weave in contemporary political issues and characters such as Elias Chacour or fictional Rabbi’s covertly praying on the Temple Mount. It also gives the book character and allows for the introduction of archaeology giving the reader a much better sense of place than other textbooks.
Secondly the design is a huge advantage. With sketches, pictures, post-it notes and textbook scrawls the information becomes more accessible than ever.
Thirdly and actually most importantly, of course, is the content. Fisk knows his stuff and is sensitive to the challenges that New Testament scholarship can pose to the naïve Christian student unaware of the pitfalls that lie ahead.
There are no definitive answers here but as an introduction to the issues at stake this is by far the best I’ve come across. Not only should it be on every theology student’s suggested reading list but if that student was a Christian then this is a must read because of the superb way it handles the tension between faith and the academy. However limiting it to theology students would be a mistake, for any reader interested in reading an introduction to the study of Jesus then this would be an excellent place to start.
July 18, 2012
Bruce N. Fisk is a likeable New Testament scholar currently serving as the Professor of Religious Studies at Westmont College, Santa Barbara.
A Hitchhiker’s Guide to Jesus is a fictional account of a young theological student hitchhiking his way around Jerusalem and its surroundings in search of the true Jesus and the meaning of His life. By comparing and contrasting the different gospels, and by embracing the differing and often heretical views on them, Fisk pieces together what was most likely meant by the writers in their context.
The strength in this book is the way that Fisk, while acknowledging there are numerous discrepancies in the Gospels, shows that the 1st Century Gospel writers were more concerned with truth than historical accuracy.
This is a different way of thinking about things for me, but Fisk graciously and humbly guides the reader to this ‘deeper truth’ through conversations, journal entries, dialogues with the himself and through interactions with current day Israeli and Palestinians.
While not pretending to know everything, A Hitchhiker’s Guide to Jesus presents the most probable answers and transports the reader back to Jesus’ era very effectively. Through descriptions of buildings and land formations as they are now and how they were described historically by scholars such as Josephus, the book creates a 360 degree understanding of what you are reading in the gospels and builds confidence in the reader’s understanding of Jesus.
When ‘(v)ery little about Jesus (is) straightforward and self-interpreting,’ it is good that there is people like Bruce N. Fisk to guide us on our way to truth.
A Hitchhiker’s Guide to Jesus is a fictional account of a young theological student hitchhiking his way around Jerusalem and its surroundings in search of the true Jesus and the meaning of His life. By comparing and contrasting the different gospels, and by embracing the differing and often heretical views on them, Fisk pieces together what was most likely meant by the writers in their context.
The strength in this book is the way that Fisk, while acknowledging there are numerous discrepancies in the Gospels, shows that the 1st Century Gospel writers were more concerned with truth than historical accuracy.
This is a different way of thinking about things for me, but Fisk graciously and humbly guides the reader to this ‘deeper truth’ through conversations, journal entries, dialogues with the himself and through interactions with current day Israeli and Palestinians.
While not pretending to know everything, A Hitchhiker’s Guide to Jesus presents the most probable answers and transports the reader back to Jesus’ era very effectively. Through descriptions of buildings and land formations as they are now and how they were described historically by scholars such as Josephus, the book creates a 360 degree understanding of what you are reading in the gospels and builds confidence in the reader’s understanding of Jesus.
When ‘(v)ery little about Jesus (is) straightforward and self-interpreting,’ it is good that there is people like Bruce N. Fisk to guide us on our way to truth.
May 27, 2014
I wish I would have had textbooks like this when I was in seminary.
This book focuses on understanding the gospels while taking into account textual issues, other historical sources, and middle eastern culture. The fictional narrator, a recent graduate from seminary, travels through the "holy land", interacts with a wide array of characters, continues his research at libraries, and maintains a running Q&A with his seminary professor. This blend of information, comparing sources, multiple perspectives, and humble inquiry yields a readable, insightful, and well-reasoned book.
However, it is more like a great textbook than a captivating story. At points it took some slogging to get through. A few of the questions addressed were not ones that concerned me.
This book focuses on understanding the gospels while taking into account textual issues, other historical sources, and middle eastern culture. The fictional narrator, a recent graduate from seminary, travels through the "holy land", interacts with a wide array of characters, continues his research at libraries, and maintains a running Q&A with his seminary professor. This blend of information, comparing sources, multiple perspectives, and humble inquiry yields a readable, insightful, and well-reasoned book.
However, it is more like a great textbook than a captivating story. At points it took some slogging to get through. A few of the questions addressed were not ones that concerned me.
April 7, 2016
Bruce Fisk is currently my New Testament professor and it was a great experience to read this book and have the author explain it to you. Some may think it's a bit egotistical and all with the author making you read and write a paper and his book, but I don't think that's the case. Thanks to Dr. Fisk, I have learned so much more about the Bible and Jesus' life than I thought I would, considering I've grown up in a Christian home. He gave great insight and explanations into why he wrote what he wrote, and it gave a different perspective to studying the Bible that you normally don't receive.
January 12, 2015
I had the privilege of helping Bruce edit this book while we traveled together in the Middle East. I cannot recommend it enough. It is an honest, insightful, and engaging read. It follows Norm (the main character) as he travels in the Middle East--his interactions, adventures, and his journey through Biblical and historical scholarship. Bruce Fisk encourages the 1st century and the 21st century speak to each other and that conversation will leave the reader changed.
February 29, 2012
Perhaps one of the more entertaining ways to engage in Biblical study. I did not find anything new but the questions are raised in a very human way, and the answers are still as unsettled as ever. The hope that some study will remove the mystery from faith is strong, but it continues to encounter the reality that the only answers to those questions is faith. I think this is a much better exploration into the difficulties of the Bible than the stuff Bart Erhman does.
April 15, 2012
The beginning of the book makes the author sound like a jerk, and some of the information is hard to swallow. If you have strong faith in Christ read it. If you don't study this book with someone or with a group. The book ends with the conclusion that Jesus did come to this and and that the Gospels are reliable sources (as most of us know already).
November 12, 2011
This book is a wonderful wedding of fiction and New Testament scholarship that would be ideal for students interested in New Testament scholarship and how it shapes our everyday understanding of the New Testament and faith.
December 27, 2014
This book is an excellent tool when trying to understand the New Testament. The author arranged the material in a modern and interesting order. There are a lot of sources paired with referenced biblical text.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews