My Book for February was chosen with a view to looking towards preparation for Lent (Ash Wednesday - 25th February). I am very pleased to present, The Original Jesus (The Life And Vision Of A Revolutionary) by Tom Wright.
There are two parts to this beautifully illustrated book, the first, 'Jesus Then And Now' is a slightly fuller version of the Author's BBC Television series about Jesus (which formed part of the 'First Light' Series).
Part One opens with Mark's version of the Crucifixion. The Author admits to the unique quality of the City of Jerusalem and the strange sense that 'the joy and pain of the whole human race were locked together in that city'. (There follows a magnificent panoramic photo of Jerusalem, certain to stir the hearts of those who have visited on pilgrimage). The historical background to the City is examined, providing a strata of absorbing facts; Jerusalem is the place where Jesus came, 'to celebrate and to die'. Here also is the place where Abraham prepared to sacrifice his son, Isaac (He did not, a ram caught in a thicket was substituted) but, because of this act, God gave his promise to save Israel, the people descended from Abraham. King David set up his capital there. David's son, Solomon, built the temple where God was to be worshipped and it was Jerusalem that was destroyed by both the Romans and the Babylonians.
It is a fact that the historical Jesus lived. That he was crucified too is a very secure fact, but as literally thousands were crucified fifty years either side of Jesus' life, Wright considers what makes Jesus special and turns to the disciples for their possible answers.
He then looks to Luke, who introduces John, son of Zachariah, cousin and forerunner of Jesus, and to Mark who tells of the Baptism of Jesus by John and of Jesus' time in the wilderness.
Valuable historical background is again expounded to answer many questions, including why John should spend time in The Jordan Valley, 1200 feet below sea level. To the First Century Jew, we are told, the desert is where they would expect things to happen. There is the reminder that Jews tell the story of The Exodus each year (at The Passover) when God rescued them out of slavery in Egypt. They were brought through the Red Sea and spent forty years wandering in the wilderness. The wilderness is the place that 'God and Israel get it together again'.
A dramatic photo of the desert is accompanied by a note that Jesus retreated to the wilderness to escape the crowds, clear his mind, listen for the voice of God and prepare himself to take God's message back to the people.
The Baptism of John, the Author suggests, was an exodus symbol, pointing to salvation, liberty, a new start. Jesus believed that in the end he himself would go down alone, to the lowest point of human experience and that somehow, God would defeat evil, through that act.
After examining Jesus historically, the second part of the Book, entitled 'Reading The Gospels With Both Eyes Open', is immensely helpful.
Wright emphasises the importance of having a serious and intelligent grasp of things, to be able to give valid reasons for one's faith.
The four accounts of Jesus' trial are set out over a double page, serving partly to illustrate the fact that the synoptic Gospels, Matthew, Mark and Luke are similar, whereas John is different, giving us the Christ of Faith rather than the Jesus of History.
The reader is exhorted to understand the two great cultures in which Christianity was born, Greek and Roman on the one hand, Judaism on the other, in order to be able to read the Gospels with 'both eyes open'. Why and how the Gospels were written are examined and the Jewish World of the Gospels is presented, including an interesting section on the Dead Sea Scrolls. A very comprehensive Further Reading List concludes the Book.
'The Original Jesus' is complemented throughout by beautiful photos, many of The Holy Land, and classic works of art.
Author, Tom Wright, is Dean of Lichfield Cathedral and a Bible Scholar of International standing. So it is of no surprise that he writes with great clarity and tremendous insight, free from technical jargon or heavy theological debate.
I would like to end my review with his fourth suggestion for reading the Gospels, to read them putting oneself in the story, telling Jesus how one feels and saying why there are angry or sad thoughts. Then to be still and listen:
'Even to hear the silence and to know that Jesus is there in it, is more than worth the effort, but you may hear something else as well.
'And when you do, remember the wise words of Jesus' Mother, Mary, to the servants in John 2 v 5 "Whatever he says to you, do it".'
An excellent book. The Original Jesus (Lion Publishing). £7.99.
written by Lynn Winter
The Gospel According to St Lynas
In last year's Summer Issue we published Lynn's 'Book Corner' review of "The Gospel According to St Lynas." Here's an interesting message received via our Internet edition: ˜
Monday 22 December 1997 20:55:35 +0000
jonathan.pagden@virgin.net
to: stgeorges@dial.pipex.com
re St Lynas
Dear St George's
I think I can say my flabber was completely gasted when, on typing in 'Pagden' I was confronted by a review of The Gospel According to St Lynas, my father's fourth book ˜ all the more bizarre because I was demonstrating the search function to him at the time! You have therefore proved that the internet is indeed a useful device. Please add me to your mailing list and I look forward to perusing your parish magazine in the future.
Yours,
Jonathan Pagden.
My father adds: ˜
St Lynas was chatting to God one night. "Wonderful thing this internet, Lord; you can talk to anyone in the world immediately!" "Hmmmmmm..." said God, "been there, done it!"
A whole new St Lynas, exclusively for St George's News!
the above 'St Lynas' quote published by permission of Frank Pagden whose latest book is The Acts of St Lynas, Fighting Cock Press, £3 inclusive of postage and packing available from the Author at 15 Cragg Road, Horsforth, Leeds, LS18 4NT.
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