Prophet and Teacher: An Introduction to the Historical Jesus

by William R. Herzog II

Offering a unique introduction to the historical person Jesus of Nazareth, respected New Testament scholar William Herzog traces the history of discussion and scholarship of the historical Jesus, including that of the recent and very public Jesus Seminar. He does so, however, with an eye toward the theological. No other introduction is tied so closely to the biblical texts. By exploring in depth Jesus' words--the parables--and Jesus' deeds--miracles, Herzog presents a holistic picture of Jesus that will explain how Jesus' followers would have understood his miracles and his role as prophet. With its accessibility and clear connections to what the gospels are saying, "Prophet and Teacher" will appeal to general readers with little theological background and be a popular primary text in undergraduate and seminary classes.

243 pages, Paperback

First published July 4, 2005

Reviews

[Douglas]

My friend and former colleague’s book is a compelling, and distinctive contribution to historical Jesus research. Unlike many studies that isolate Jesus’ sayings from their social setting, Herzog places him firmly within the political, economic, and religious world of first-century Galilee. By presenting Jesus as both prophet and teacher—one who exposed oppressive systems while announcing the reign of God—Herzog offers a historically grounded portrait that is at once accessible, provocative, and unusually attentive to the realities of peasant life. In my view, this book should be read along with Herzog's earlier work, Parables as Subversive Speech: Jesus as Pedagogue of the Oppressed.