Ecce homo! : an eighteenth century life of Jesus : critical edition and revision of George Houston's translation from the French

This book provides a comprehensive update on the status of information literacy activities around the world, particularly from countries where no related literature in English has been published. In these collected papers, ranging from the practical to the theoretical, knowledgeable librarians report on their efforts to establish and develop information literacy programmes. A tool for evaluating all forms of information literacy, this publication is a must-read for anyone who shares an interest in this field. Acknowledgments Abbreviations Introduction Preface Chapter I. Account of the Jewish people and their prophets. Discussion of the prophecies relating to Jesus Chapter II. Account of the birth of Jesus Chapter III. Adoration of the Magi and shepherds. Massacre of the Innocents, and other circumstances which followed the birth of Jesus Christ Chapter IV. Baptism of Jesus. In the desert. Commencement of his preaching and miracles. Wedding at Cana Chapter V. Journey of Jesus to Jerusalem. The sellers driven out of the Temple. Conference with Nicodemus Chapter VI. Jesus’ adventure with the Samaritan woman. His journey and miracles in the land of the Gerasenes Chapter VII. Jesus cures two persons possessed by devils. Miracle of the swine. Wonders performed by Jesus until the end of the first year of his mission Chapter VIII. What Jesus did during his stay in Jerusalem, that is, at the second Passover of his mission Chapter IX. Jesus works new miracles. Calling of the Twelve Apostles Chapter X. Sermon on the Mount. Summary of Jesus’ moral code. Observations on that code Chapter XI. Actions and parables of Jesus. His relatives move against him. Journey of Jesus to Nazareth, and the success he had there Chapter XII. Mission of the apostles. Instructions Jesus gave them. Miracles he worked until the end of the second year of his own mission Chapter XIII. Jesus returns to Galilee about the time of the third Passover of his mission. What he did until the time he left Chapter XIV. Jesus shows himself in Jerusalem. He is forced to leave it. Resurrection of Lazarus. Triumphant entry of Jesus. His retreat to the Garden of Olives. The Lord’s Supper. He is arrested Chapter XV. Trial and condemnation of Jesus. His punishment and death Chapter XVI. Resurrection of Jesus. His conduct until his Ascension. Examination of the proofs of the Resurrection Chapter XVII. General reflections on the life of Jesus. Preaching of the apostles. Conversion of St Paul. Establishment of Christianity. Persecution it suffers. Causes of its progress Chapter XVIII. Account of Christianity from Constantine to the present day Appendix A. Letter from Alessandro Verri to Cesare Beccaria (26 November 1766) Appendix B (Preface n. 24). Apocryphal gospels Appendix C (Preface, n. 34). The Nicene Council of a.d. 325 Appendix D (chapter I n. 44) Old Testament prophecies Appendix E (chapter I n. 44, referring to Appendix D n. 4) Lipmann-Mühlhausen, Liber nizzacbon vetus Appendix F (chapter I n. 44, referring to Appendix D n. 5). Munimen fidei, second part Appendix G (chapter II n. 11). The virgin birth Appendix H (chapter XV n. 16). The Jewish trial of Jesus Appendix J (chapter XV n. 50). The Testimonium Flavianum Appendix K (chapter XVII n. 32). Plotinus, Porphyry and Iamblichus Appendix L (see chapter XVII n. 37). Christian martyrdom References Index to scripture passages In 1799, George Houston translated the banned text from French into English with the result that he was sentenced to two years imprisonment and fined two hundred pounds; such was the controversial nature of d'Holbach's ideas. Little of d'Holbach's work survives in print, the present volume being the first critical edition of an English translation. Andrew Hunwick enriches the original text with an introduction which assesses the work in its historical and cultural context, and provides us with useful biblical commentaries. Even today, Ecce homo! is a revolutionary text and, for believers and non-believers alike, Ecce homo! will seem startling Ecce homo!, evidently the first published "Life of Jesus", appeared anonymously in 1770. The text, by the atheist Baron d'Holbach, presents events contained in the gospels from a rationalist, free-thinking point of view. In order to "demystify" the scriptures, d'Holbach depicts Jesus as a normal human being, who had a normal birth, whose miracles were staged, in short who was an unrealistic visionary. This represented a vehement attack on the Bible, Christian dogma and morality, and all aspects of Christian institutions Baron Paul Tiry D'holbach ; Andrew Hunwick, Editor. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [317]-330) And Index.