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Jesus says, “The Scriptures point to me!” (John 5:39 NLT). But what does that mean exactly?
The twenty-seven books of the New Testament are largely a commentary on the Old Testament, and each part of the Bible is a signpost to Jesus. Once this is properly understood, everything changes, including our own identities. In this magisterial work you will discover a Jesus who is larger, more glorious, and more challenging than most of us have ever imagined.
Biographies of Jesus generally have been written by those trying to investigate the historical Jesus with little attention given to the grand narrative of Scripture. On the flip side, those interested in tracing the theology of Scripture are typically disinterested in historical Jesus studies. These two approaches have yet to converge...until now.
Jesus is written for the average reader as well as scholars. Leonard Sweet and Frank Viola (authors of Jesus Manifesto) unfold the greatest story ever told in a fresh and invigorating way. So whether you are a seasoned Christian, a new believer, or someone who is intrigued by Jesus, this book unveils the discoveries of a lifetime, transforming the tired and familiar way we have read the Bible into an electrifying journey of rediscovering Christ.
Introducing a new kind of Jesus biography.
In this compelling work, authors Leonard Sweet and Frank Viola reclaim the entire Bible as a gripping narrative about Jesus Christ.
Virtually every other “Jesus biography” begins with the nativity account in Bethlehem. In this groundbreaking book, Sweet and Viola begin before time, in the Triune God, and tell the complete interconnected story of Jesus from Genesis to Revelation.
Jesus: A Theography is the first book ever written to combine historical Jesus studies with biblical theology, crafting together one breathtaking saga that tells the Jesus story in both Old and New Testaments. This flagship book demonstrates clearly that every bit of Scripture is part of the same stunning drama, what the authors refer to as the theography of Jesus Christ.
Introduction: The Jesus Story ix
1 Christ Before Time 1
2 Christ in Creation: The Macro Version 17
3 Christ in Creation: The Micro Version 39
4 Jesus' Birth and Boyhood 55
5 Jesus' Missing Years 77
6 Jesus' Preparation for Ministry 95
7 Jesus' Baptism and Temptation 109
8 Jesus Chooses His Disciples 131
9 Jesus' Mission Statement 149
10 Jesus: Healer and Miracle-Worker 161
11 Jesus: Teacher and Preacher 177
12 The Human Jesus 197
13 Jesus' Trial and Crucifixion 219
14 The Atonement and the Harrowing of Hell 243
15 The Resurrection, Ascension, and Pentecost 259
16 The Return of the King 281
Conclusion: The Jesus Spirit 297
Appendix: Post-Apostolic Witnesses 311
Notes 335
About the Authors 419
ReneeHumming
Posted October 4, 2012
I just finished the advanced reader copy of this book and it left me overwhelmed. I predict it will be the new touchstone for books about Jesus in the Bible. I've studied the Bible for many years but on almost every page of this book I was having "aha" moments and thinking to myself "I never saw that connection before. I never knew that about Jesus or his disciples. I never knew what those Old Testament stories were really about."
I look forward to reading my Bible from beginning to end now because I know I'm going to see Jesus in all of its pages. I wish I had read this book years ago when I first started studying the Bible. The authors say that "the Jesus story recapitulates and replays the major biblical dramas and narratives of the Hebrew Scriptures." This is a major key that opens up the meaning of the Bible in a powerful way. I highly recommend this book and plan to get the finished edition. It's that good.
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.GunFalk
Posted November 8, 2012
While I have enjoyed everything I have read by Leonard Sweet and Frank Viola, this particular work will always hold special place on my shelf, and has been an absolute game changer for me. I am giving it 5 stars, mainly because I cannot give it 6.
For the last season of my life, I have been focused on a determination to see Christ as the focus of every aspect of my life. This book has been used as a tool for me to take that to a whole other level, which I needed, because I often miss my goal!
The riches the authors share, particularly going through the old, or as they write, the first testament passages, has been so refreshing, exhilarating, and exciting for me to read as I encounter Christ in things I had not seen before. It is true to say the book is intellectually stimulating, but what really sets it over the top is how riveted my heart is as I encounter Frank and Leonard showing Christ in tidbits and pieces of biblical stories I had never pondered. Before picking up the work, I felt there was so much I had found of Him in many passages, and I am glad for it. But Jesus A Theography really blows some doors off in this regard. If I had a 'complaint', it is that I was only able to read a few paragraphs at a time for much of the book, and needed to not move on and let what I just read and its ramifications really sink in. Finding Jesus in passages one has not seen Him before, or finding him more fully, can be quite an altering experience!
Years back, I became quite a collector of classic devotional books and authors, i.e., Oswald Chambers, etc. Taking nothing away from my collection, this book by Frank and Leonard, along with From Eternity to Here by Frank Viola, are the centerpieces of that collection other than the Bible itself to me. It really has come to that for myself. I'm not trying to step on any toes or other's opinions, but this book has a serious, deeper, profound way of pointing to Christ than any book I can recall reading. (I read a lot.)
I'd say this book would be helpful to anyone on the planet, but if you are struggling with seeing Him in your life currently, or see situations in your life you are tempted to think He can't solve, you just gotta get this book. Because reading it, He gets a whole lot bigger in your heart and mind! One final thought-this book blows my mind in how much time, and heart rendering, the authors must have gone through to put this to paper. This is not something one can just jot down because a great book idea hit them. This is a lifetime of intimacy that I feel like two brothers and those that are close and have influenced them have let me peak into, and I am a blessed and grateful beneficiary of the joys, pains, incredible amounts of time set aside, and allowed to witness and experience it.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.ReadWorm
Posted January 20, 2013
Jesus – Leonard Sweet and Frank Viola
Seeing the Bible through the lens of Jesus Christ. This is not a biography of Jesus, the authors call it a Theography. In this book the authors seek to explain how the Old and New Testaments link together as a unified story of Jesus, showing that Jesus is indeed, the fulfillment of the Old Testament.
They use several references of Scripture in both old and new to prove this. We begin with Christ before time – the awesome revelation that time dwells in God (not the other way around -and go right through Jesus’ life on earth, following our Scriptures to the very end, when He returns as King. The creation of the universe through Christ, His earthly life and Ministry and to the coming of the end and the reconciliation of all things in Christ.
I have to admit that I put off reading this book for as long as I can. The 400+ pages were a little daunting (even for a bookworm such as I) – the idea of big words and difficult to understand theology was not something I looked forward to reading. However, once I started this book, the way in which the authors of this book have brought the Bible to life, journeying around the pages of both the new and old testament, seeing shadows and foretelling of Jesus throughout the Old Testament and seeing confirmations of the Old Testament in the New Testament is really such an awesome eye opening, beautifully engaging experience.
Well done to the authors for what is a remarkably researched piece of writing. I am so glad I started this book.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
AuthorKSmith0
Posted December 4, 2012
The History and Ministry of Jesus
ISBN-13: 9780849947025
In reviewing the “Jesus”, the authors did a wonderful job in detailing the history and ministry of Jesus. The book is broken in sections from before Christ, to the return back to Heaven. The story of Jesus and the love for the Father is one of the greatest stories we have ever read. The book shows just how much the Father of Heaven loves us and wants a relationship with us. The book give powerful information about Christ before He came to earth, the creation made in seven days that refer to Jesus, His Birth, His Death, His Resurrection, His Ascension His Indwelling Life, His Rule, His Rest, and His Bride (according to the book). I highly recommend this book not just for casual reading, but for studying, for gaining knowledge of Jesus Christ, and for understanding His return back to earth.
I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255
Jesus of Nazareth is arguably the most pivotal figure in history, He split history. But as a Christian He is so much more than that to me. I enjoy reading not just the Bible, but books about the life, historical background, and teachings of Jesus. Jesus: A Theography is a new book about Jesus, starting from the premise that Jesus story is throughout the entire Bible, not just the Second Testament.
I really enjoyed reading this book. There are times where I wish Sweet and Viola had explained how they reached their typological conclusions, beyond just footnoting resources. But for the most part they did a good job exploring the story of Jesus.
One of my favorite sections was the chapters they did on the so-called “missing years” of Jesus. They pointed out that Scripture tells us that Jesus had a ordinary youth. Jesus spent His youth learning the Scriptures, and being trained by His adoptive father Joseph, not just to work with wood, but stone as well:
Quote: "Since it was the practice of a father to teach his son his trade or skill, we can assume that Joseph trained Jesus for the vocation of being a tekton. (The fact that Matthew 13:54–56 says Joseph was a tekton and Mark 6:2–3 says Jesus was a tekton confirms this.) The Greek word tekton used in Matthew 13:55 and Mark 6:3 has been commonly translated “carpenter.” However, the wide consensus among Greek scholars today is that the word means “artisan”—someone who works with stone and wood."
While this seems like a minor detail, its one way Sweet and Viola really fleshed out the life of Christ. Building on the foundation of the Gospels, and the rest of Scripture, His life is fleshed out with details about what is known about the world of the 1st century. Its definitely worth reading!
I read this book in ebook format and found it to aid in reading due to the extensive amount of footnotes.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Anonymous
Posted November 19, 2012
Christmas gifts
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 8, 2013
No text was provided for this review.
Overview
Jesus says, “The Scriptures point to me!” (John 5:39 NLT). But what does that mean exactly?
The twenty-seven books of the New Testament are largely a commentary on the Old Testament, and each part of the Bible is a signpost to Jesus. Once this is properly understood, everything changes, including our own identities. In this magisterial work you will discover a Jesus who is larger, more glorious, and more challenging than most of us have ever ...