The Life of Jesus, Critically Examined

Strauss' highly controversial challenge to the historicity of the gospels pioneered the application of modern historical methods to religious texts.

David Friedrich Strauss (Author), George Eliot (Translated by)

9781108019552, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 2 September 2010

448 pages
21.3 x 13.7 x 3 cm, 0.57 kg

The German theologian David Friedrich Strauss (1808–1874) published his highly controversial The Life of Jesus in three volumes between 1835 and 1836. This translation by George Eliot is based on the fourth German edition (1840). Strauss applied strict historical method to the gospel narratives and caused scandal across the Protestant world by concluding that all miraculous elements were mythical and ahistorical. Strauss introduces Volume 1 with a survey of 'de-mythology' in Western thought. He applies modern historical and scientific criticism to the annunciation and birth narratives; the Davidic descent and genealogies of Jesus; Jesus' visit to the temple; Jesus' baptism and temptation and his relationship with John the Baptist. The volume ends with a chapter on chronology and locality in the life of Jesus. This is a key text of nineteenth-century theology that pioneered the application of historical and scientific methods to the study of religious texts.

Preface to the first edition
Preface to the fourth edition
Introduction. Development of the mythical point of view in relation to the Gospel histories
Part I. History of the Birth and Childhood of Jesus: 1. Annunciation and birth of John the Baptist
2. Davidical descent of Jesus, according to the genealogical tables of Matthew and Luke
3. Announcement of the conception of Jesus. Its supernatural character. Visit of Mary to Elizabeth
4. Birth and earliest events of the life of Jesus
5. The first visit to the Temple, and the education of Jesus
Part II. History of the Public Life of Jesus: 1. Relations between Jesus and John the Baptist
2. Baptism and temptation of Jesus
3. Locality and chronology of the public life of Jesus.

Subject Areas: Biblical studies & exegesis [HRCG]