The author of Seeking Jesus of Nazareth is critical of recent media interest in the historical Jesus. As risen Lord, Jesus is alive in the community he founded, and in the lives of christians. This is the real Jesus. Much of the media interest generated by recent books rests on the claim that historical investigation can challenge Christians’ faith in Jesus. It assumes that the ‘real’ Jesus is different from the one worshipped by believers. This book is written to assist the reader in understanding and appreciating the Jesus that is portrayed in the four gospels. Far from being a substitute for reading the gospels themselves, it is best read alongside them. An introductory chapter will consider matters pertinent to the proper appreciation of the gospel writings: the centrality of the resurrection experience, the development of christology, as well as the nature of the gospel writings themselves. A chapter will be devoted to each of the gospels in turn, giving an outline and storylline before examining its christological portrait. A further chapter will discuss what can be known about the historical Jesus, and a concluding chapter will show that despite their diversity, the gospels do show a remarkable consistency in their portraits of Jesus.The book is an introduction to the way Jesus is understood in the gospels and should serve as a useful aid for students and those interested in learning about Jesus, the Son of the living God, as set out in the gospels.
Maurice P. Hogan SSC was born in Annascaul, Co Kerry. After ordination he served as a missionary in Japan before studying sacred scripture at the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome. He is now Professor of Old Testament at St Patrick’s College, Maynooth.
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