The Last Week: What the Gospels Really Teach About Jesus's Final Days in Jerusalem

The Last Week: What the Gospels Really Teach About Jesus's Final Days in Jerusalem
by Marcus J. Borg, John Dominic Crossan

The Last Week: What the Gospels Really Teach About Jesus's Final Days in Jerusalem
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Book Summary Information

Author: John Dominic Crossan, Marcus J. Borg
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Published)
Published: 2007-01-30
ISBN: 0060872608
Number of pages: 256
Publisher: HarperOne

Book Reviews of The Last Week: What the Gospels Really Teach About Jesus's Final Days in Jerusalem

Book Review: Very good for reflection or 'book group' use
Summary: 4 Stars

May I begin with the caveat that I am one who disagrees with the interpretations of the gospels which are common to The Jesus Seminar, with which both authors are much involved. This is not to downgrade their scholarly abilities, which are unquestionable despite one's agreement with the conclusions. For example, the works of Dominic Crossan are outstanding scholarship, quite possibly the most authoritative and original treatment of first century Palestine of our day.

This particular book is suited to devotional reflections or 'book group' study, as the lengthy works (which combine history, archaeology, literary analysis and the like) I would consider to be purely of the textbook class. Those other volumes, for all of their valuable detail in scriptural study, also contain unorthodox conclusions which, for example, those in church or school reading groups could find puzzling or offensive, the more since such settings would not lend to also considering other works, with contrary conclusions, from equally distinguished scripture scholars.

The Last Week is though provoking indeed, and includes reflections (for example, conformity of Jesus to "God's will" as illustrative of trust, not of God's having willed the suffering) which make excellent points clearly and with strict reverence for the scriptural context. The statements which appear sceptical about the original text's meaning or integrity should not provide difficulties, because the approach to the overall text is more akin to that of the 'story genre' of Judaism and many orthodox scripture scholars today.

Details related to the society, domination, anthropology, and beliefs of 1st century Palestine are explained with clarity and insight. Though Christology is acknowledged as a driving element in the gospel of Mark, it is not set forth as doctrine to be embraced per se - but the detail can lead the devout reader to the conclusions that it is indeed. The questions are more 'left open' than criticised.

Overall, unless one is using the book in a highly conservative or literalist congregation, it is a fine and enriching work.

Summary of The Last Week: What the Gospels Really Teach About Jesus's Final Days in Jerusalem

Top Jesus scholars Marcus J. Borg and John Dominic Crossan join together to reveal a radical and little-known Jesus. As both authors reacted to and responded to questions about Mel Gibson's blockbuster The Passion of the Christ, they discovered that many Christians are unclear on the details of events during the week leading up to Jesus's crucifixion.

Using the gospel of Mark as their guide, Borg and Crossan present a day-by-day account of Jesus's final week of life. They begin their story on Palm Sunday with two triumphal entries into Jerusalem. The first entry, that of Roman governor Pontius Pilate leading Roman soldiers into the city, symbolized military strength. The second heralded a new kind of moral hero who was praised by the people as he rode in on a humble donkey. The Jesus introduced by Borg and Crossan is this new moral hero, a more dangerous Jesus than the one enshrined in the church's traditional teachings.

The Last Week depicts Jesus giving up his life to protest power without justice and to condemn the rich who lack concern for the poor. In this vein, at the end of the week Jesus marches up Calvary, offering himself as a model for others to do the same when they are confronted by similar issues. Informed, challenged, and inspired, we not only meet the historical Jesus, but meet a new Jesus who engages us and invites us to follow him.

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