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)

9781108019583, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 2 September 2010

460 pages
21.6 x 14 x 2.6 cm, 0.67 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). In this work Strauss applied strict historical method to the New Testament gospel narratives and caused scandal across the Protestant world by concluding that all miraculous elements were mythical and ahistorical. Volume 3 applies modern historical criticism to 'de-mythologize' the narratives of the transfiguration, Jesus' final journey into Jerusalem, the passion, the death, and the resurrection; and investigates the historicity of Jesus' enemies. The volume concludes with an essay entitled 'The Dogmatic Import of 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. It is essential reading for any student of the New Testament.

Part II continued. History of the Public Life of Jesus: 10. The Transfiguration of Jesus, and his last journey to Jerusalem
Part III. History of the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus: 1. Relation of Jesus to the idea of a suffering and dying Messiah
His discourses on his death, resurrection, and second advent
2. Machinations of the enemies of Jesus
Treachery of Judas
Last supper with the disciples
3. Retirement to the Mount of Olives, arrest, trial, condemnation, and crucifixion of Jesus
4. Death and resurrection of Jesus
5. The Ascension
Concluding dissertation. The dogmatic import of the life of Jesus.

Subject Areas: Biblical studies & exegesis [HRCG]