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Jesus and the Politics of Roman Palestine
Revised with a New Preface
Center and Library for the Bible and Social Justice Series
Imprint: Cascade Books
In Jesus and the Politics of Roman Palestine, Richard A. Horsley offers one of the most comprehensive critical analyses of Jesus of Nazareth's mission and how he became a significant historical figure. Horsley brings a fuller historical knowledge of the context and implications of recent research to bear on the investigation of the historical Jesus. Breaking with the standard focus on isolated individual sayings of Jesus, Horsley argues that the sources for Jesus in historical interaction are the Gospels and the speeches of Jesus that they include, read critically in their historical context. This work challenges the standard assumptions that the historical Jesus has been presented primarily as a sage or apocalyptic visionary. In contrast, based on a critical reconsideration of the Gospels and contemporary sources for Roman imperial rule in Judea and Galilee, Horsley argues that Jesus was fully involved in the conflicted politics of ancient Palestine. Learning from anthropological studies of the more subtle forms of peasant politics, Horsley discerns from these sources how Jesus, as a Moses- and Elijah-like prophet, generated a movement of renewal in Israel that was focused on village communities.
This paperback edition is updated with a new preface, bibliography, and indexes.
Richard A. Horsley is Distinguished Professor of Liberal Arts and the Study of Religion at the University of Massachusetts, Boston, emeritus. His numerous publications include these works from Cascade: You Shall not Bow Down and Serve: The Political Economic Projects of Jesus and Paul (2021), Jesus and Magic (2014), Text and Tradition in Performance and Writing (2013), After Apocalyptic and Wisdom (with Patrick A. Tiller, 2012), Wisdom and Spiritual Transcendence at Corinth (2008), and Empowering the People (forthcoming).
"In Jesus and the Politics of Roman Palestine, Horsley continues his distinguished track record of situating the Gospels in their historical and cultural contexts. With his characteristically lucid and engaging prose, he explores Roman politics in Galilee and Judea and then scrutinizes how Jesus responded to the inherent violence of Rome. In so doing, he allows the non-specialist to immerse themselves in the everyday life of ancient Palestine to better understand the Gospel traditions."
--Sarah E. Rollens, Rhodes College
"Horsley is one of the seminal figures in what he rightly terms the 'reorientation' of biblical studies to acknowledge the political radicality of Jesus and the movement he led. . . . This book is required reading for everyone who truly seeks to understand the words and deeds of Jesus in historical context--the only way they can be properly understood--and their implications for today's struggles to achieve loving, healthy communities fully leavened by egalitarian justice."
--Obery Hendricks, author of Christians Against Christianity: How Right-Wing Evangelicals are Destroying Our Nation and Our Faith
"Among the many books composed in the wake of the quest for the historical Jesus, Richard Horsley's study is a much-needed contribution. His is one of the most socially sensitive interpretations of the Gospels, especially of Mark and Q. As a historian of the politics of Roman Palestine, he is in a class by himself. Vividly evoking the time and circumstances of Roman Palestine, easily accessible, and intriguingly original, this book fills a big lacuna in the ongoing quest of Jesus's life and death."
--Werner Kelber, Rice University
"This slim and eminently readable volume is perhaps Horsley's most mature and elegant statement yet of the method and results of his own, distinctive quest for the historical Jesus. His iconoclasm has been prescient in the past. Again, he pressed forward, and we do well to follow."
--Stephen J. Patterson, Willamette University
"Richard Horsley, always provocative and stimulating, offers here a fresh look at the historical Jesus in light of the politics of Roman Palestine. Readers, specialists, and the general public alike will find this book deeply engaging."
--Adela Yarbro Colline, Yale Divinity School
"With mature reflection and focus on the major sources, Richard Horsley explains why he has concluded that Jesus from Nazareth, 'the Israelite prophet in Galilee,' vilified the scribes and Pharisees. These Jewish leaders sought to serve the 'temple-state' but abused villagers. Horsley's writing is engaging and lucid, and he astutely shows how Jesus's harsh criticism is 'based on Mosaic covenantal commandments.' Highly recommended for its synthesis and perspective. Jesus was by no means apolitical. Excellent for classes."
--James H. Charlesworth, Princeton Theological Seminary
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