The Essence of Jesus

by Arthur Rowe

Who was Jesus, why are his life, death, teaching and ministry so vital and how have different groups through the ages understood Him? Writing from a conservative evangelical position and in a wide-ranging manner the author unfolds from an analysis of Scripture, other writings, liturgy, ritual and religious art, the different perspectives on Jesus taken by differing groups through the centuries from the time of Christ to today, always returning to the centrality and authority of the Bible as the only reliable source of understanding. Areas which the author Jesus and the first disciples
The Gospels
Gnosticism
The Humanity/Divinity of Jesus
Iconoclasm
Devotion and Mysticism
The Reformation and Counter-Reformation
Jesus in other Religions
Jesus Today

Genres: Spirituality

234 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this in preparation for a class I teach on Music of World Religions. I admit I found some sections of the book a bit boring -- perhaps because I know as much as most people about the life of Jesus -- but there were a few interesting tid-bits that make the read worth while.

[D.l. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice bit of background on the historic Jesus. Each chapter deals with different points of view, starting with the Gospels and the early church and finishing with the modern era.

The segment on the Asian Christian views makes me wish to read more on this topic.