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{en} Josephine Wilkinson, John the Baptist: His Life and Afterlife (Stroud, Gloucestershire: Amberley Publishing, 2022).

Abstract

"A respected historian traces the real life and times of this major figure in Christinaity and Islam ... This historical investigation into the real John the Baptist brings to light one of the most influential figures in Christianity and Western Civilization, who is also a revered figure in Islam and other religions. Two thousand years later his life and example are still an influence for millions. John the Baptist's importance is such that he appears in all four Gospels together with the writings of Josephus, and is inextricably linked to the life of Jesus. He is also believed by Muslims to have been a witness to the word of God, and to have been a prophet who met Mohammed. John was a friend, inspiration and forerunner for Jesus - and a respected figure in his own lifetime - yet the historical facts of his life are unknown to most ... Acclaimed author Josephine Wilkinson assembles the evidence to show us the man whose views led him to be sentenced to death and beheaded by Herod. Based on the ancient sources, this books gets as close as it is possible to get to a biography of John, including an account of his relationship with Jesus, and a depiction of the Holy Land in their lifetime."--

Contents

Machine generated contents note: ch. 1 The Wilderness -- The Sources -- The Significance of the Wilderness -- Prophets and Prophecy -- Prophets and Prophecy: Theudas -- Prophets and Prophecy: The Unnamed Prophets -- Prophets and Prophecy: Jeshua, son of Ananias -- Prophets and Prophecy: Judas the Galilaean -- Prophets and Prophecy: The Egyptian -- John the Baptist in the Desert Tradition -- Conclusion -- ch. 2 Baptism -- The Sources -- Jewish Lustration Rites -- John's Baptism -- John's Baptism and Repentance -- John's Baptism and the Concept of the Soul -- John's Baptism as a Protest against the Temple Establishment -- John's Baptism as an Initiation Rite -- John's Target Audience -- The Administration of John's Baptism -- Conclusion -- ch. 3 The Coming One -- The Sources -- John's Announcement of the Coming One -- The Identity of the Coming One -- The Identity of the Coming One in the Synoptic Gospels -- Elijah -- The Davidic Messiah -- The Aaronic Messiah -- Michael/Melchizedek -- The One like a Son of Man -- God -- The Lamb of God Motif in the Fourth Gospel -- Conclusion -- ch. 4 Jesus the Baptiser -- The Sources -- Establishing the Existence of a Relationship between John the Baptist and Jesus -- The Disciples of John the Baptist -- Jesus, Disciple of John -- Jesus' Public Ministry -- Conclusion -- ch. 5 The Kingdom of God -- The Sources -- From Judaea to Galilee -- John's Question from Prison -- Jesus' Ministry -- Conclusion -- ch. 6 The Death of John the Baptist -- The Sources -- The Arrest of John the Baptist -- Herod or Herodias? -- Herodias's Former Husband -- The Father of Salome -- Salome's Marital Status and Dance -- Herod's Promise and the Location of John's Imprisonment and Death -- John's Head on a Platter -- The Possible Origins of the Story -- Conclusion -- ch. 7 More than a Prophet -- Forerunner Motifs in Q -- Forerunner Motifs in Mark -- Forerunner Motifs in Matthew -- Forerunner Motifs in Luke -- Forerunner Motifs in the Fourth Gospel -- Conclusion -- ch. 8 Into the Underworld -- The Sources -- The Patristic Interpretation of John's Underworld Mission -- The Extra-Canonical Interpretation of John -- The Concealment Tradition -- Conclusion -- ch. 9 Saint John the Baptist -- The Nativity of Saint John the Baptist -- The Decollation of Saint John the Baptist -- Minor Feast Days -- The Legend of Saint John the Baptist -- Iconography of Saint John the Baptist -- John the Baptist as Patron Saint -- The Monastic Movement and Saint John the Baptist -- Saint John the Baptist: Miracle-worker -- The Relics of Saint John the Baptist -- Saint John the Baptist, Healer -- Midsummer -- Fertility Rites -- John the `Marrying Saint' -- Flowers, Herbs and Plants -- Mistletoe -- Conclusion.--

About the Author

Dr Josephine Wilkinson is an author and historical biographer. She received a First from the University of Newcastle where she also read for her PhD. She has received British Academy research funding and has been scholar-in-residence at St Deiniol’s Library, Britain’s only residential library founded by the great Victorian statesman, William Gladstone. She now lives in York. She is the author of Louis XIV, The Princes in the Tower, Anne Boleyn, Mary Boleyn, and Richard III (all published by Amberley), and Katherine Howard (John Murray).

Reviews

External links

• [ Google Books]