Jesus Outside the New Testament: An Introduction to the Ancient Evidence (Studying the Historical Jesus (SHJ))

Did Jesus actually exist? Much has been written recently on this subject, including numerous books examining the New Testament record of Jesus? life. Now Robert Van Voorst presents and critiques the ancient evidence outside the New Testament? the Roman, Jewish, pre-New Testament, and post-New Testament writings that mention Jesus. This fascinating study of the early Christian and non-Christian record includes fresh translations of all the relevant texts. Van Voorst shows how and to what extent these ancient writings can be used to help reconstruct the historical Jesus. Studying the Historical Jesus......Page 3 Jesus Outside the New Testament: An Introduction to the Ancient Evidence......Page 4 Contents......Page 8 Preface and Acknowledgments......Page 10 Abbreviations......Page 13 1. The Study of Jesus Outside the New Testament......Page 16 A Brief History of Research......Page 17 Did Jesus Really Exist?......Page 21 The Plan of the Present Work......Page 31 2. Jesus in Classical Writings......Page 34 Thallos: The Eclipse at Jesus' Death......Page 35 Pliny the Younger: The Christ of Christian Worship......Page 38 Suetonius: The Instigator Chrestus......Page 44 Tacitus: The Executed Christ......Page 54 Mara bar Serapion: The Wise Jewish King......Page 68 Lucian of Samosata: The Crucified Sophist......Page 73 Celsus: Christ the Magician......Page 79 Conclusions......Page 83 Is Jesus Mentioned in the Dead Sea Scrolls?......Page 90 Josephus: Jesus, a Wise Man Called the Christ......Page 96 The Rabbinic Tradition: Jesus the Magician and Deceiver......Page 119 The Toledot Yeshu: How Ancient a Polemic against Jesus?......Page 137 Conclusions......Page 144 4. Jesus in the Sources of the Canonical Gospels......Page 150 L: Jesus, the Powerful Teacher and Healer......Page 151 The Special Material of Matthew: An M Source on Jesus?......Page 158 The Signs Source of the Fourth Gospel: Jesus the Messiah......Page 164 Q: Jesus, the Agent of the Kingdom of God......Page 170 Was Jesus a Jewish Cynic?......Page 184 No Concern for Cross and Resurrection?......Page 188 Conclusions......Page 189 The Agrapha: Scattered Sayings of Jesus......Page 194 The Nag Hammadi Literature: Jesus the Revealer of Secret Knowledge......Page 200 The Gospel of Thomas......Page 203 The New Testament Apocrypha: Traditions and Legends about Jesus......Page 218 The Infancy Gospels......Page 219 The Gospel of Peter......Page 220 The Secret Gospel of Mark......Page 224 The Ascents of James......Page 227 Conclusions......Page 230 Bibliography......Page 234 Index of Names......Page 250 Index of Subjects......Page 254 Index of Scripture and Other Ancient Writings......Page 256 Presents Evidence And Information, Aside From The Christian Scriptures, On The Life And Teaching Of Jesus Christ. Features Excerpts In Roman Correspondence And The Early Christian Writings Known As The New Testament Apocrypha.. 1. Study Of Jesus Outside The New Testament -- Brief History Of Research -- Did Jesus Really Exist -- Plan Of The Present Work -- 2. Jesus In Classical Writings -- Thallos: The Eclipse At Jesus' Death -- Pliny The Younger: The Christ Of Christian Worship -- Suetonius: The Instigator Chrestus -- Tacitus: The Executed Christ -- Mara Bar Serapion: The Wise Jewish King -- Lucian Of Samosata: The Crucified Sophist -- Celsus: Christ The Magician -- Conclusions -- 3. Jesus In Jewish Writings -- Is Jesus Mentioned In The Dead Sea Scrolls -- Josephus: Jesus, A Wise Man Called The Christ -- Rabbinic Tradition: Jesus The Magician And Deceiver -- Toledot Yeshu: How Ancient A Polemic Against Jesus -- Conclusions -- 4. Jesus In The Sources Of The Canonical Gospels -- L: Jesus, The Powerful Teacher And Healer -- Special Material Of Matthew: An M Source On Jesus -- Signs Source Of The Fourth Gospel: Jesus The Messiah -- Q: Jesus, The Agent Of The Kingdom Of God -- Conclusions -- 5. Jesus In Christian Writings After The New Testament -- Agrapha: Scattered Sayings Of Jesus -- Nag Hammadi Literature: Jesus The Revealer Of Secret Knowledge -- New Testament Apocrypha: Traditions And Legends About Jesus. Robert E. Van Voorst. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 219-234) And Indexes. Did Jesus actually exist? Can anything meaningful be said about his life and teaching? This new volume in the Studying the Historical Jesus series examines the ancient evidence outside the New Testament -- the Roman, Jewish, pre-Christian and post-Christian writings that are believed to mention Jesus. Robert Van Voorst's fascinating look at the early Christian and non-Christian record includes fresh translations of the relevant texts that deal with Jesus. His investigation leads to a range of conclusions concerning the usefulness of antique writings in reconstructing the historical Jesus. Writer says that: this series edited by bruce Chilton and craig a. evans explores key questions concerning the historical jesus within recent scholarly discussion written by authors who have already made important contributions to the study of jesus studing the historical jesus volumes present sound scholar-ship in accessible, creative, and interesting ways Jesus of Nazareth is arguably the most influential person in history.