The first book to give the full account of the lost gospel of Jesus' original followers, revealing him to be a Jewish Socrates who was mythologized into the New Testament Christ.
The first book to give the full account of the lost gospel of Jesus' original followers, revealing him to be a Jewish Socrates who was mythologized...
Commencing in mid February 2004, SBS TV (Australia) will run a two-part documentary based on this title.
In this groundbreaking and controversial book, Burton Mack brilliantly exposes how the Gospels are fictional mythologies created by different communities for various purposes and are only distantly related to the actual historical Jesus.
Mack's innovative scholarship which boldly challenges traditional Christian understanding' will change the way you approach the New Testament and think about how Christianity arose.
The clarity of...
The Making of the Christian Myth
Commencing in mid February 2004, SBS TV (Australia) will run a two-part documentary based on this title.
This book traces Burton Mack's intellectual evolution, from a creative analyst of ancient texts, to a scholar searching for the motives and interests of Jesus's followers who composed those texts, and for the social logic of "the Christian myths" they created. Mack rejects depictions of Jesus that have emerged from the quest for the "historical Jesus"--peasant teacher, revolutionary leader, mystical visionary or miracle-working prophet--on the grounds that they are based on a priori assumptions about Jesus, and are therefore contradictory. In addition, he argues, these portrayals are...
This book traces Burton Mack's intellectual evolution, from a creative analyst of ancient texts, to a scholar searching for the motives and interes...
America is widely regarded as the ultimate "Christian Nation." Religious language has always been at the forefront of American politics but this has increased since the events of 9/11. 'Myth and the Christian Nation' presents a startling analysis of how and why Christianity and national identity have been woven together in recent American political discourse. Drawing on examples of religious myth-making across the ancient world 'Myth and the Christian Nation' brings the weight of history to bear on America today, a place where myth, monotheism, sovereignty and power can be harnessed together...
America is widely regarded as the ultimate "Christian Nation." Religious language has always been at the forefront of American politics but this has i...
America is widely regarded as the ultimate "Christian Nation." Religious language has always been at the forefront of American politics but this has increased since the events of 9/11. 'Myth and the Christian Nation' presents a startling analysis of how and why Christianity and national identity have been woven together in recent American political discourse. Drawing on examples of religious myth-making across the ancient world 'Myth and the Christian Nation' brings the weight of history to bear on America today, a place where myth, monotheism, sovereignty and power can be harnessed together...
America is widely regarded as the ultimate "Christian Nation." Religious language has always been at the forefront of American politics but this has i...
The Christian myth is entangled with American politics, with the nation's image of its own manifest destiny. 'Christian Mentality' analyses the myths that have shaped America's collective mentality. Concepts that are taken for granted in the formation of American policy - namely power, violence and fear - are examined. The book argues that America must find an image for itself which more truly reflects its reality as a polycultural nation still struggling for social democracy. 'Christian Mentality' will be invaluable to students and scholars interested in the impact of religion on political...
The Christian myth is entangled with American politics, with the nation's image of its own manifest destiny. 'Christian Mentality' analyses the myths ...