Offering a unique introduction to the historical person Jesus of Nazareth, respected New Testament scholar William Herzog traces the history of discussion and scholarship of the historical Jesus, including that of the recent and very public Jesus Seminar. He does so, however, with an eye toward the theological. No other introduction is tied so closely to the biblical texts. He asks, "What difference does the historical Jesus make in our understanding of the gospels?" and, correspondingly, "What difference should this Jesus make in our lives today?"
By exploring in depth Jesus' words-the parables-and Jesus' deeds-miracles, Herzog presents a holistic picture of Jesus that will explain how Jesus' followers would have understood his miracles and his role as prophet. This volume takes the "results" of Herzog's two previous Jesus books and, in summary fashion, makes them available in an introductory textbook. With its accessibility and clear connections to what the gospels are saying,
Prophet and Teacher will appeal to general readers with little theological background and be a popular primary text in undergraduate and seminary classes.