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{en} Jesus, Apocalyptic Prophet of the New Millennium (1999) is a book by Bart D. Ehrman.

Abstract

"In this highly accessible discussion, Bart Ehrman examines the most recent textual and archaeological sources for the life of Jesus, along with the history of first-century Palestine, drawing a fascinating portrait of the man and his teachings. Ehrman shows us what historians have long known about the Gospels and the man who stands behind them. Through a careful evaluation of the New Testament (and other surviving sources, including the more recently discovered Gospels of Thomas and Peter), Ehrman proposes that Jesus can be best understood as an apocalyptic prophet--a man convinced that the world would end dramatically within the lifetime of his apostles and that a new kingdom would be created on earth. According to Ehrman, Jesus' belief in a coming apocalypse and his expectation of an utter reversal in the world's social organization not only underscores the radicalism of his teachings but also sheds light on both the appeal of his message to society's outcasts and the threat he posed to Jerusalem's established leadership."--Publisher description.

Editions

Published in Oxford [England] and New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 1999.

Translations

• Jesús, el profeta judío apocalíptico (2001 Ehrman), book (Spanish ed.)

• 耶穌 : 天啓的末日先知 = Jesus: Apocalyptic Prophet of the New Millennium (2002 Ehrman / Chen), book (Chinese ed.)

Table of contents

• 1. The end of history as we know it
• 2. Who was Jesus? Why it's so hard to know
• 3. How did the gospels get to be this way?
• 4. Looking about a bit: non-Christian sources for the historical Jesus
• 5. Looking about a bit more: other Christian sources for the historical Jesus
• 6. Moving on to the past: how can we reconstruct the life of Jesus?
• 7. Finding a fit: Jesus in context
• 8. Jesus the apocalyptic prophet
• 9. The apocalyptic teachings of Jesus
• 10. A place for everything: Jesus' other teachings in their apocalyptic context
• 11. Not in word only: the associates, deeds, and controversies of Jesus in apocalyptic context
• 12. The last days of Jesus
• 13. From apocalyptic prophet to lord of all: the afterlife of jesus
• 14. Jesus as the prophet of the new millennium: then and now

Excerpts

“In many ways, as I’ve indicated, this message was like that proclaimed throughout the writings of the prophets in the Hebrew Bible. Judgment was coming, people needed to repent in preparation or they would be condemned. Those who turned to God, though, would be saved. At the same time, Jesus’ message was different, for his was framed within an apocalyptic context. As a first-century Jew, Jesus lived when many Jews expected God to intervene once and for all for his people, to overthrow the forces of evil that had gained ascendancy in the world and to bring in his good Kingdom on earth. There would then be no more war, poverty, disease, calamity, sin, hatred, or death. This kingdom would arrive in power, and all that was opposed to it would be destroyed and removed. I do not want to leave the impression that these warnings of the coming judgment were the only things Jesus taught about during his public ministry… But it’s important to understand fully the framework within which his other teachings are to be fitted. Many people—Christian and non-Christian alike—think of Jesus as a great moral teacher whose ethical views can help produce a better society for those of us who are determined to make our lives together as just, peaceful, and enjoyable as possible. On one level, I think that’s probably right. But it’s also important to realize that Jesus himself did not see it that way. He did not propound his ethical views to show us how to create a just society and make the world a happier place for the long haul. For him, there wasn’t going to be a long haul. The judgment of God was coming soon with the arrival of the Son of Man—and people needed to prepare for its coming by changing the way they lived. Preparation for the Kingdom—that’s what ultimately lies at the heart of Jesus’ ethics…”

External links

• Google Books