The Life of Jesus Critically Examined (Annotated)

Enriched Edition. A Landmark Study of Gospel Myth, Historical Jesus Criticism, and New Testament InterpretationBy David Friedrich Strauss

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David Friedrich Strauss's The Life of Jesus Critically Examined is a landmark of nineteenth-century biblical criticism, subjecting the Gospel narratives to historical, philosophical, and literary scrutiny. Rejecting both supernaturalist harmonization and rationalist explanation, Strauss interprets many episodes as "myths": expressions of the early Christian community's messianic hopes shaped by Scripture and tradition. Written with rigorous dialectical method and formidable command of the sources, the work stands at the crossroads of German idealism, Protestant theology, and the emerging historical-critical study of the New Testament. Strauss, a German theologian educated at Tübingen, wrote the book as a young scholar deeply influenced by Hegelian thought and by the intellectual ferment of early nineteenth-century Protestantism. His training made him acutely aware of tensions among the Gospels, especially between John and the Synoptics, while his philosophical commitments encouraged him to distinguish religious meaning from literal historical fact. The book's publication in 1835–36 provoked scandal, damaged his academic career, and made him a defining figure in modern theology. This is essential reading for students of Christianity, intellectual history, and biblical interpretation. Difficult but lucid, provocative yet disciplined, it rewards readers willing to encounter a work that transformed the study of Jesus and permanently altered debates about faith, history, and myth. This enriched edition has been carefully crafted to add value to your reading experience. - A succinct Introduction situates the work's timeless appeal and themes. - The Synopsis outlines the central plot, highlighting key developments without spoiling critical twists. - A detailed Historical Context immerses you in the era's events and influences that shaped the writing. - A thorough Analysis dissects symbols, motifs, and character arcs to unearth underlying meanings. - Reflection questions prompt you to engage personally with the work's messages, connecting them to modern life. - Hand‐picked Memorable Quotes shine a spotlight on moments of literary brilliance. - Interactive footnotes clarify unusual references, historical allusions, and archaic phrases for an effortless, more informed read.

Mythological World Folklore Rebellion Exploration

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Rating★★★★ 4.5 (12)

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GenreSpirituality and Religion

Length55 hrs 8 mins

Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices

FormateBook with Audio

Publish dateDec 10, 2023

LanguageEnglish

1The Trial of Christ (Annotated)

2INTRODUCTION TO THE PRESENT EDITION,

3PREFACE TO THE FIRST GERMAN EDITION.

4PREFACE TO THE FOURTH GERMAN EDITION.

5CONTENTS.

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6THE LIFE OF JESUS.

7§ 1. INEVITABLE RISE OF DIFFERENT MODES OF EXPLAINING SACRED HISTORIES.

8§ 2. DIFFERENT EXPLANATIONS OF SACRED LEGENDS AMONG THE GREEKS.

9§ 3. ALLEGORICAL INTERPRETATIONS AMONG THE HEBREWS.—PHILO.

10§ 4. ALLEGORICAL INTERPRETATIONS AMONG THE CHRISTIANS.—ORIGEN.

11§ 5. TRANSITION TO MORE MODERN TIMES.—DEISTS AND NATURALISTS OF THE 17TH AND 18TH CENTURIES.—THE WOLFENBÜTTEL FRAGMENTIST.

12§ 6. NATURAL MODE OF EXPLANATION ADOPTED BY THE RATIONALISTS.—EICHHORN.—PAULUS.

13§ 7. MORAL INTERPRETATION OF KANT.

14§ 8. RISE OF THE MYTHICAL MODE OF INTERPRETING THE SACRED HISTORY, IN REFERENCE FIRST TO THE OLD TESTAMENT.

15§ 9. THE MYTHICAL MODE OF INTERPRETATION IN REFERENCE TO THE NEW TESTAMENT.

16§ 10. THE NOTION OF THE MYTHUS IN ITS APPLICATION TO SACRED HISTORIES NOT CLEARLY APPREHENDED BY THEOLOGIANS.

17§ 11. THE APPLICATION OF THE NOTION OF THE MYTHUS TOO CIRCUMSCRIBED.

18§ 12. OPPOSITION TO THE MYTHICAL VIEW OF THE GOSPEL HISTORY.

19§ 13. THE POSSIBILITY OF THE EXISTENCE OF MYTHI IN THE NEW TESTAMENT CONSIDERED IN REFERENCE TO THE EXTERNAL EVIDENCES.

20§ 14. THE POSSIBILITY OF MYTHI IN THE NEW TESTAMENT CONSIDERED ON INTERNAL GROUNDS.

21§ 15. DEFINITION OF THE EVANGELICAL MYTHUS AND ITS DISTINCTIVE CHARACTERISTICS.

22§ 16. CRITERIA BY WHICH TO DISTINGUISH THE UNHISTORICAL IN THE GOSPEL NARRATIVE.

23FIRST PART. HISTORY OF THE BIRTH AND CHILDHOOD OF JESUS.

24§ 17. ACCOUNT GIVEN BY LUKE.1 IMMEDIATE, SUPERNATURAL CHARACTER OF THE REPRESENTATION.

25§ 18. NATURAL EXPLANATION OF THE NARRATIVE.

26§ 19. MYTHICAL VIEW OF THE NARRATIVE IN ITS DIFFERENT STAGES.

27§ 20. THE TWO GENEALOGIES OF JESUS CONSIDERED SEPARATELY AND IRRESPECTIVELY OF ONE ANOTHER.

28§ 21. COMPARISON OF THE TWO GENEALOGIES—ATTEMPT TO RECONCILE THEIR CONTRADICTIONS.

29§ 22. THE GENEALOGIES UNHISTORICAL.

30CHAPTER III.

31§ 23. SKETCH OF THE DIFFERENT CANONICAL AND APOCRYPHAL ACCOUNTS.

32§ 24. DISAGREEMENTS OF THE CANONICAL GOSPELS IN RELATION TO THE FORM OF THE ANNUNCIATION.

33§ 25. IMPORT OF THE ANGEL’S MESSAGE.—FULFILMENT OF THE PROPHECY OF ISAIAH.

34§ 26. JESUS BEGOTTEN OF THE HOLY GHOST. CRITICISM OF THE ORTHODOX OPINION.

35§ 27. RETROSPECT OF THE GENEALOGIES.

36§ 28. NATURAL EXPLANATION OF THE HISTORY OF THE CONCEPTION.

37§ 29. HISTORY OF THE CONCEPTION OF JESUS VIEWED AS A MYTHUS.

38§ 30. RELATION OF JOSEPH TO MARY—BROTHERS OF JESUS.

39§ 31. VISIT OF MARY TO ELIZABETH.

40CHAPTER IV.

41§ 32. THE CENSUS.

42§ 33. PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE BIRTH OF JESUS. THE CIRCUMCISION.

43§ 34. THE MAGI AND THEIR STAR. THE FLIGHT INTO EGYPT AND THE MURDER OF THE CHILDREN IN BETHLEHEM. CRITICISM OF THE SUPRANATURALISTIC VIEW.

44§ 35. ATTEMPTS AT A NATURAL EXPLANATION OF THE HISTORY OF THE MAGI. TRANSITION TO THE MYTHICAL EXPLANATION.

45§ 36. THE PURELY MYTHICAL EXPLANATION OF THE NARRATIVE CONCERNING THE MAGI, AND OF THE EVENTS WITH WHICH IT IS CONNECTED.

46§ 37. CHRONOLOGICAL RELATION BETWEEN THE VISIT OF THE MAGI, TOGETHER WITH THE FLIGHT INTO EGYPT, AND THE PRESENTATION IN THE TEMPLE RECORDED BY LUKE.

47§ 38. THE PRESENTATION OF JESUS IN THE TEMPLE.

48§ 39. RETROSPECT. DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MATTHEW AND LUKE AS TO THE ORIGINAL RESIDENCE OF THE PARENTS OF JESUS.

49§ 40. JESUS, WHEN TWELVE YEARS OLD, IN THE TEMPLE.

50§ 41 THIS NARRATIVE ALSO MYTHICAL.