Zealot
by Reza Aslan – a book review.
I have been suggesting a book to people about the Jewish
Jesus for several years now – Jesus
Before Christianity. It was written by a Dominican monk, Albert Nolan.
It is based on good exegesis of the New Testament, explaining how the people of
Jesus’ own time would have understood his teachings. I recently recommended it
to a friend, and he replied that he would read it – and I should read Zealot.
I found the book immensely enlightening. The author is
nominally a Muslim, more a historian than a scripture scholar. But the result
is very good. I highly recommend both books to gain a real understanding of the
message that Jesus brought to his contemporaries. But I would read Zealot first, and then Jesus Before
Christianity. And here’s why.
Zealot adds a
whole world of information, giving a much broader historical perspective to the
discussion. He presents actual history from that whole period that is very
enlightening for setting the stage for what happens to Jesus. Nolan gives a
little background on some of the movements and sects of the time, but Aslan
provides a much better insight into the world in which this Jesus of Nazareth
lived. He corroborates, criticizes and expands events. I am no historian, but
he seems to have an excellent mastery of what we know of the time. He also makes
the assumption that anything which is repeated in all of the Gospels is
probably based on some factual event. I am not real sure about that, but it
doesn’t seem to harm the picture. He criticizes and expands the Gospel stories
with actual historical events. He carries the historical perspective into the
early church, right up to Nicene and a bit beyond. The theological ideas of
trinity and incarnation and the like, are later creations of the Greek Church. It
helps explain our Christian history, but it is way past any message of the original
Jesus.
Nolan is clearly a believer, but he also presents a very different
Jesus than the “Christ”. His Jesus of Nazareth is a reformer, calling for a new
world order. Aslan, on the other hand, is not a believer, but he says he is a “follower”
of Jesus of Nazareth. Nolan is much better at explaining the way the disciples
must have heard the message of this prophet. He brings it home in a way that
Aslan does not. I was hoping for more toward the end of Zealot, but I was disappointed. To get that more, read Nolan. You
can find my review of that book here: Jesus Before
Christianity Notes.
I will just tantalize you here with a few examples of things
I noted in Zealot.
1.
Brutality
of the times. There are so many examples of utter brutality from those days,
that it gives you the impression that the Middle East was a nightmare of continuous
conflict. Oh, wait – that is the case today. Well – it has not changed much.
From the original invasion of Palestine by the Jews who were ordered to slay
every living thing, to the utter destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans, the
brutality is incredible. I can understand when people live in a world such as
that, their view of what passes for civilization will be very different.
2.
The
Kingdom of God. The brutality, the presence of Rome, the poverty, wealth
disparity and problems that existed give a better understanding as to why there
were so many prophets walking the land in those days, promising the coming of
the kingdom of God. Jesus was one of many. His message was very similar, but
for some reason, those who heard it were moved beyond the norm. Paul, in
particular, had some personal experience that drove the early Church.
3.
Nazareth.
Azlan gives a detailed description of this town that gives a much better
insight into the origins of the teachings of this prophet, Jesus.
4.
Focus on
the Poor. The situation of the times, the imbalance in wealth and poverty,
the terrible condition of the peasants – all make it clear why Jesus was so
focused on the poor. Azlan describes the situation in telling detail. With all
of our current income inequality, we might pay attention to this message a bit
more. We are clearly not at the brink of a social revolution – at least not
yet. If Piketty is right,
it may be coming yet.
Read both books.
I found them both inspirational in this business of being human and a
“follower” of Jesus of Nazareth. But do read Zealot
first, then Jesus
Before Christianity.
The biggest thing I have taken away from all of this is that
Faith is not a magical gift, or a firmly held conviction. It is a decision in favor of the kingdom of
God. Read the books to see what that means.
“To believe in God is to believe that goodness is more powerful
than evil and truth is stronger than falsehood.” (Nolan, p. 102) I so choose. And
you?
