Portraits of Jesus: A Reading Guide

by Robert Imperato

Overview

This is an introductory guide to the ways Jesus is depicted in the New Testament. Attention to Jesus' political and historical contexts help to clarify the one Jesus behind the diverse portrayals.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780761873341
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	09/09/2022
Edition description:	Fourth Edition
Pages:	136
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.32(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Robert Imperato is professor of religion at Saint Leo University.

Table of Contents

Introduction
Chapter 1: Jesus as Prophet
Chapter 2: Mark’s Portrait of Jesus: God’s Agent against Evil and Corruption, Hidden and Suffering Son of God
Chapter 3: Matthew’s Portrait of Jesus: Fulfillment of Jewish Hope, Teacher of Superior Righteousness, Messiah, Son of God, Founder of the Church, Preacher of the Kingdom of God
Chapter 4: Luke: Jesus as martyr prophet, champion of the poor, model of prayer, innocent and merciful savior
Chapter 5: Jesus in John’s Gospel: Political activist, pre-existent Word of God, the I Am of Hebrew tradition, replacement of Jewish patriarchs, and the Father’s offer of life
Chapter 6: Paul: Christ Crucified, Last Adam, Life-giving Spirit, Freedom and the Law, Source of Unity, Redeemer, and Lord
Appendix: Historical Background to the New Testament
Bibliography
About the Author

Editorial Reviews

I do believe that the kind of New Testament survey material that Robert Imperato has prepared can stimulate the interest of newcomers to the field, especially college undergraduates and others who have a cultural connection to the Bible but very slender acquaintance with it. The observation of parallel versions of the same pericope in the gospels is usually a new and intriguing experience for this constituency, which is often predisposed to consider the sacred texts dryly uniform and threadbare. In respect to Paul, there is next to no undistorted prior exposure to build upon, especially among Catholics, so an introduction to his prominent themes—but only with understanding of his texts as genuine letters, not treatises—can arouse interest in further assisted reading. Imperato's sketches are properly dedicated to such reading assistance, not to furnishing "cliff notes" in place of the Bible. This is why I think his work can be of considerable educational value.” —Rev. Dr. Richard J. Dillon, senior professor emeritus of theology (New Testament), Fordham University; 76th president of the Catholic Biblical Association of America

“Imperato makes Jesus come alive in the pages of his Portraits of Jesus. In a scholarly fashion, he portrays Jesus to the everyday individual, giving a more than adequate overview of the salient features of our Lord's life and ministry.

I teach New Testament to college freshmen and sophomores who have little or no formal background in the New Testament. I find that they relate well to the models provided by Imperato.” —Paul McCuistion, Doctor of Ministry Program Director, South University

From the Publisher

I do believe that the kind of New Testament survey material that Robert Imperato has prepared can stimulate the interest of newcomers to the field, especially college undergraduates and others who have a cultural connection to the Bible but very slender acquaintance with it. The observation of parallel versions of the same pericope in the gospels is usually a new and intriguing experience for this constituency, which is often predisposed to consider the sacred texts dryly uniform and threadbare. In respect to Paul, there is next to no undistorted prior exposure to build upon, especially among Catholics, so an introduction to his prominent themes—but only with understanding of his texts as genuine letters, not treatises—can arouse interest in further assisted reading. Imperato's sketches are properly dedicated to such reading assistance, not to furnishing "cliff notes" in place of the Bible. This is why I think his work can be of considerable educational value.

Rev. Dr. Richard J. Dillon

Imperato makes Jesus come alive in the pages of his Portraits of Jesus. In a scholarly fashion, he portrays Jesus to the everyday individual, giving a more than adequate overview of the salient features of our Lord's life and ministry.

I teach New Testament to college freshmen and sophomores who have little or no formal background in the New Testament. I find that they relate well to the models provided by Imperato.

Paul McCuistion

I do believe that the kind of New Testament survey material that Dr. Imperato has prepared can stimulate the interest of newcomers to the field, especially college undergraduates and others who have a cultural connection to the Bible but very slender acquaintance with it. The observation of parallel versions of the same pericope in the gospels is usually a new and intriguing experience for this constituency, which is often predisposed to consider the sacred texts dryly uniform and threadbare. In respect to Paul, there is next to no undistorted prior exposure to build upon, especially among Catholics, so an introduction to his prominent themes — but only with understanding of his texts as genuine letters, not treatises — can arouse interest in further assisted reading. Dr. Imperato's sketches are properly dedicated to such reading assistance, not to furnishing "cliff notes" in place of the Bible. This is why I think his work can be of considerable educational value.

The Rev. Dr. Richard J. Dillon