SALT & LIGHT

A comprehensive survey centers on the historical Jesus of Nazareth.

A career businessman and founder of Canada’s conservative Atlantica Party, Dean explains that his examination of Jesus is targeted to “the person on the street who has never had exposure to Jesus in any form.” Based on an impressive 10-year exploration of the classical primary sources and contemporary academic literature on Jesus, this book effectively blends relevant scholarship with an approachable yet nuanced narrative that succeeds in its mission to provide analysis that is “straightforward and easy to grasp.” Part 1 in a two-volume series, this work looks at “the Complete Jesus” by focusing primarily on the historical records pertaining to him rather than the subsequent theological interpretations of his life. Revolving around three driving questions (What did Jesus do? What did he say? Who was he?), the book probes variations in Gospel narratives and early Christian writings as well as Jewish, Roman, and Muslim accounts of Jesus’ life. Like most academic surveys of the historical Jesus, the book concludes that “the figure of Jesus is shadowy and ill-defined” in the records. Ultimately, the volume argues, Jesus should not be considered a rabbi, as his teachings were “distinct from Judaism.” Moreover, despite the author’s personal belief in the veracity of Jesus’ miraculous deeds, Dean notes that the man was not divine, made “mistakes,” and often “created confusion by not definitively identifying himself.”While not systematically engaging with theology, the work similarly rejects the Christian doctrines of the Trinity, hell, and Jesus’ second coming in its embrace of the simplicity of his teachings to love all, share one’s light, and not to overly desire possessions. Accompanied by classical and Renaissance art, images of primary source documents, charts, and other visual aids, this volume is remarkably accessible given its sophisticated use of the esoteric and academic works that fill its impressive footnotes and bibliography. Still, some may disagree with the author’s assertion that the Christian Bible is “the most influential work” of Western civilization, a claim that ignores the sacred book’s Middle Eastern, African, and Asian influences.

A well-researched, open-minded introduction to the historical Jesus.