Transcript for zealot author reza aslan on death threats. Reza aslan defends controversial new book on jesus the. Aslan took too literally the metaphors and even hyperbole intended by gospel. Reza aslan, an internationally acclaimed writer and scholar of religions, according to his online biography, has gotten a boost in sales and popularity from his embarrassing interview with a fox news anchor about his new book, zealot. Jul 31, 20 cnn as you might have heard, lauren green at fox didnt do a very good job interviewing reza aslan on his new book about the historical jesus. The life and times of jesus of nazareth the new york. Click the play button above to listen to this 18 minute, 22 second audio clip. I have not completed my evaluation of reza aslans popular, interesting, and wellwritten account of jesus, zealot to this point i have merely tried to show that despite his claims e.
Reza aslan has sparked a plethora of controversy with his new book, zealot. His book is for the general audience with the express purpose of prying the historical jesus away from the christ of christianity 120, 215216. Zealot author reza aslan on death threats video abc news. But people should know that rezas view of the historical jesus is only one view among several other theories. The new yorker fascinatingly and convincingly drawn. Zealot recently shot to the top of the best seller list due to a notorious interview on fox news, where lauren green began by asking the author why a muslim would write about christianitys founder. The following is an excerpt from reza aslans new book, zealot. His new book, zealot, chronicles jesus life and times and.
Zealot gives an historically accurate and very plausible account on the life of a profit. Its expected to debut this weekend on the new york times bestseller list, becoming the latest in a long line of controversial and profitable books. A penetrating and realistic look at the times of jesus and how his zealots message or apocaliptic warning was set aside by the divisions between james, who insisted on a messianic view within judaism, and pauls questionable visions and sidetracking of jesus message to what later become the christian faith, with all its warts and blemish. Zealot quotes by reza aslan meet your next favorite book. What reza aslan actually says about jesus cnn belief blog.
His book, zealot, considers jesus in the context of the time and place he lived in. A interview with the scholar reza aslan about his new book, zealot. Aslan synthesizes scripture and scholarship to create an original account. Muslim authors zealot book riles christian critics with. The idea that they are a wholly new form of literature.
Now aslans controversial new book about jesus is about to make him a bestselling author. The life and times of jesus of nazareth, had risen to number one on the new york times bestseller list, i must confess, i was both. The life and times of jesus of nazareth aslan, reza on. The life and times of jesus of nazareth, has been the talk of the. The life and times of jesus of nazareth is a book by. Aug 11, 20 theres been a lot on the news lately about a new book called zealot, written by reza aslan. Religious scholars new book on jesus draws controversy. This transcript has been automatically generated and may not. Jul 15, 20 reza aslan converted to christianity when he was a teenager, but became more interested in jesus than as a messiah. The life and times of jesus of nazareth is a book by iranianamerican writer and scholar reza aslan. But if you are a anyone with an open mind, jew, moslem, christian or nonbeliever then read it. The life and times of jesus of nazareth resurrects the theory that jesus ministry and death are best explained against the. Mark, luke, and john as reliable eyewitness testimony, burk added.
Aslans literary talent is as essential to the effect of zealot. Theres been a lot on the news lately about a new book called zealot, written by reza aslan. A response to zealot by reza aslan the good book blog biola. I would consider myself moderately knowledgeable about the history of early christianity, and. Why reza aslans jesus is dull, confusing, and lacking. Jul 30, 20 theres a new bestseller out there which claims to give us the real story on jesus. The life and times of jesus of nazareth, has been the talk of the internet today. Throughout zealot, he refers to selected new testament passages as. The life and times of jesus of nazareth by reza aslan. The core thesis of zealot is that the real jesus of nazareth was an illiterate peasant from the galilee who zealously, indeed monomaniacally, aspired to depose the.
Craig evans, a real new testament scholar and one of my favorites, professor of new testament at acadia divinity college, in nova scotia, says he suspects mr. The life and times of jesus of nazareth random house, 20, is in most ways a typical attempt to paint a new picture of jesus. The life and times of jesus of nazareth has already reached no. Theres nothing new in reza aslans historical book on jesus. Muslim pans jesus and jews in new book, zealot left wing. The life and times of jesus of nazareth random house, 20. Im currently reading zealot and believe its relatively accurate based on my general study of early chrsitianity. He debunked the nativity scenes historicity roman catholic.
But among the jewish political groups, is it really accurate to label jesus as a zealot. I have recently checked out zealot from the library. The book that changed reza aslans mind about jesus. Rns reza aslans controversial new book about jesus is about to make him a bestselling author. Theres a new bestseller out there which claims to give us the real story on jesus. Zealot yields a fresh perspective on one of the greatest stories ever told even as it affirms the radical and transformative nature of jesus life and mission. The most famous case for the thesis is the 1967 book by s. I heard a public radio interview on reza aslans theologyhis idea of the history of jesus as presented in his new book, jesus, the zealot. I would consider myself moderately knowledgeable about the history of early christianity, and would like to be more informed. Because so many hundreds of books of this type have been published, aslans book would most likely not have received significant attention at all, except for two factors.
Cnn as you might have heard, lauren green at fox didnt do a very good job interviewing reza aslan on his new book about the historical jesus. In zealot, reza aslan argues that jesus of nazareth was a man at war. He knows his stuff and cannot be dismissed lightly. The life and times of jesus of nazareth as are his scholarly and journalistic chops. A vivid, persuasive portrait of the world and societies in which jesus lived and the role he most likely played in both. To ask other readers questions about zealot, please sign up. It is a historical account of the life of jesus and analyzes the various religious perspectives on jesus as well as the creation of christianity. It recently received a publicity boost from an awkward interview, which joe carter analyzes here. The life and times of jesus of nazareth by reza aslan is a study of the historical jesus and the jewish people and their relationship with the romans. It is a book authored by reza aslan and published by random house in july of 20.
Rez aslan is an iranianamerican writer and is on the faculty of university of california, riverside. It led to me thinking itd be a worthwhile exercise to, every once in a while, offer a christian pastors perspective on some of the more influential literature out there, particularly those that which. The life and times of jesus of nazareth, reza aslans new book, is based on both fact and speculation. Christian faith leaders respond to his claims that the holy book is not historically accurate dr. When i studied the new testament in a masters class, though, we didnt go as deeply into the history of rebellion in judea as aslan does. If you believe that the bible contains thetrue and accurate words of god and there can be no other interpretation this book will make you cross.
The life and times of jesus of nazareth has come to. Im a muslim not because i believe islam is more correct than other. Reza aslan converted to christianity when he was a teenager, but became more interested in jesus than as a messiah. The atlantic noted that the book debuted at the second spot on the new york times best seller. Reza azlans zealot draws criticism from pastors and professors. Instead of asking him about zealot, she asked him why, as a muslim, he would presume to write a book about jesus. The result is a thoughtprovoking, elegantly written biography with the pulse of a fastpaced novel. Aug 28, 20 about a dozen people or so in my congregation have asked me about a new book currently near the top of the new york times bestseller list, zealot.
The life and times of jesus of nazareth, and it is one in a long line of books. In the end, zealot offers readers not the historical jesus but a jesus for our place and time an american jesus for the 21st century, and more specifically for a postsept. Carefully comparing extrabiblical historical records with the new testament. Zealot yields a fresh perspective on one of the greatest stories ever told even as it affirms the radical and transformative nature of jesus of nazareths life and mission. The book is written in short chapters bringing over time and again the point that jesus was a roman insurrectionist who was crucified by the roman authorities. Brandon in his general thesis as well as in many details, a borrowing. Yet alsan has placed a book on the table that has popularised minimalistic critical new testament scholarship, making it accessible to john and jane dow. Aslans entire book is, as it turns out, an ambitious and singleminded polemical counternarrative to what he imagines is the new testaments portrayal of jesus christ. The book that changed reza aslans mind about jesus the atlantic. The life and times of jesus of nazareth has been interviewed on a host of media outlets in the last week. When i saw that reza aslans portrait of jesus, zealot. Aug 02, 20 in the end, zealot offers readers not the historical jesus but a jesus for our place and time an american jesus for the 21st century, and more specifically for a postsept. Jul 29, 20 a interview with the scholar reza aslan about his new book, zealot.
The life and times of jesus of nazareth, reza aslan zealot. A response to zealot by reza aslan the good book blog. I put these words in quotes because he is so convinced of his own view and studies without any room for a more balanced view and theology. Sold by gem book and ships from amazon fulfillment. The life and times of jesus of nazareth resurrects the theory that jesus ministry and death are best explained against the background of jewish zealot movements at the turn. You write in the book that you became an evangelical christian in high. About a dozen people or so in my congregation have asked me about a new book currently near the top of the new york times bestseller list, zealot. I think it was on the set of a shoot for chris mathews hardball and you helped connect me into the world of speech writing and giving speeches and eventually led to my first book which you were so. Reza aslan tells an old story about jesus christianity today. He responded by citing and reciting his academic credentials. The memory of the revolutionary zealot who walked across galilee gathering an army of disciples with the goal of establishing the kingdom of god on earth, the magnetic preacher who defied the authority of the temple priesthood in jerusalem, the radical jewish nationalist who challenged the roman occupation and lost, has been almost completely lost to history. A riveting novel enhanced with accurate historical detail deftly interwoven into a superbly crafted story of the rome empire. But those familiar with the harvard graduate and former christians work say zealot is rehashed scholarship that. But amidst the hubbub about the interview, which focused on why a muslim would write a book on jesus.