The Changing Faces of Jesus

Vermes is internationally recognized for pioneering biblical scholarship as well as for the definitive English translation of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Now he takes readers on a journey thru the New Testament to reveal the true historical figure of Jesus hidden beneath the oldest Gospels. How was this Palestinian charismatic transformed by later generations into the heavenly savior elaborated by the Christian Church? Vermes acts as a sensitive, learned & thought-provoking guide. His account presents the fruit of both a lifetime's scholarship & a lifelong quest to understand a solitary giant among Jewish prophets. Prologue: From Christ to Jesus John: the odd man out among the Evangelists The Jesus of John: messiah figure or stranger from heaven Paul: the odd man out among the Apostles The Christ of Paul: Son of God & universal redeemer of mankind The Jesus of the Acts of the Apostles: prophet, Lord & Christ The Jesus of the Synoptic Gospels: charismatic healer & teacher & eschatological enthusiast Beneath the Gospels: the real Jesus The real Jesus at the dawn of the third millennium Epilogue: A dream