I highly recommend Jesus: a revolutionary biography by John Dominic Crossman
It compares multiple sources in a non biased way. It was an assigned read for my philosophy of religion course when I was in college and I loved it. Very interesting and informative.
the bronze bow by elizabeth george spear …. not a biography of jesus, but the story of a boy whose life is changed when he hear the teachings of jesus.
I agree with others – the 4 gospels and if you research them , and who Matthew Mark Luke and John were , their writing styles make more sense . I’d only move onto other biographies after having a thorough grasp of the 4 gospels
I’m a New Testament PhD 🙂 Are you looking for HISTORICAL or inspirational? Or figuring our how we know what we know, and what is part of the later story? Feel free to PM me too!
@Jan They tend to not be really BIOS but more books ABOUT the Gospels and the process of the development of Jesus. I have a feeling “One Jesus, Many Christs” by Riley may be helpful; or “From Jesus to Christ” by Paula Fredrickson
@Mary Oh, OK!! So those years are just not documented. There are non-canonical texts that talk *some* about Jesus childhood, but everything else is really speculative. The Infancy Gospel of Thomas (you can just google it and find it) has some wild stories about Jesus’ childhood but they are in no way a biography, you know? Instead, they are stories written by later generations of Christians that tell *miraculous* stories of Jesus’ childhood in order to show something about him (divinity, etc.). So a *good* biography won’t be able to tell you very much, unfortunately.
For a great fiction read, try ‘The Last Temptation of Christ’ by Nikos Kazantzakis (who also wrote ‘Zorba the Greek’). It imagines the life he could have had had he not pursued his religious mission. Very engrossing (and I’m an atheist).
The gospels are a great starting point. I really like commentaries by Matthew Henry to dig deeper into the gospels. I also really like Max Lucado. My favorite book by him, “And The Angles Were Silent”. He writes a lot of books that have opened my eyes to the gospel and Jesus Christ.
It is… I read it first when I was about 12 and now I’m in my thirties and have just barely finished rereading it. The movie doesn’t even compare! Amazing book!
You may also be interested in The Man From Nazareth by Anthony Burgess, King Jesus by Robert Graves, and The Good Man Jesus and The Scoundrel Christ by Philip Pullmann
You might check out The Day Christ Was Born and The Day Christ Died by Jim Bishop. They’re older books but excellent. A newer one is Jesus: A Biography, from a Believer by Paul Johnson. Looks like you’ve got a great variety of suggestions to look into!
@Yael Weeeeelll, technically, the Bible is only partially a biography of Jesus, since he’s not the only protagonist. It’s more of a collection of biblical figures and their backstories 😀
Do you have a particular perspective you want to explore ? Some controversial titles are The case for Jesus & Bill O Reiley’s “K** Jesus. Both focus on his greatness but have misleading and repulsive titles.
One comes to mind
Ok I give
The bible. Lol I was making a joke. I don’t really know anything other than that.
Jesus – AN Wilson
Thanks
Resla Aslan’s “Zealot” was amazing.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/06/books/reza-aslans-zealot-the-life-and-times-of-jesus-of-nazareth.html
Thanks
Another vote for this book!
Yep, great book.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1531514.Jesus
Most historians and theologians speak very highly of Gerhard Linfink’s Jesus of Nazareth: What He Wanted and Who He Was https://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Nazareth-What-Wanted-Who/dp/0814683088/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1519256502&sr=1-1&keywords=jesus+of+nazareth+by+Gerhard+Lohfink
“More than a Carpenters” might fit the bill.
Thanks
I highly recommend Jesus: a revolutionary biography by John Dominic Crossman
It compares multiple sources in a non biased way. It was an assigned read for my philosophy of religion course when I was in college and I loved it. Very interesting and informative.
Thanks
I agree – I read several books about Jesus and the early church as a religion major. I felt like Crossan was a trusted expert.
@Jody thanks
I just bought this book yesterday, but I haven’t started it. It came highly recommended to me!
The Quest for the Historical Jesus by Albert Schweitzer.
Rabbi Jesus by Bruce Chilton
lamb: the gospel according to biff, christ’s childhood friend by christopher moore. it is GREAT.
I read that book and it was hilarious
Love it! But sources may be a little shaky LOL
i think jesus’s portrayal stood true to the four gospels i know … but the biff character made the whole story fantastically awesomely fun
Elizabeth Drewry Beck couldn’t agree more??
I came here to suggest this.
the good man jesus and the scoundrel christ by philip pullman
the bronze bow by elizabeth george spear …. not a biography of jesus, but the story of a boy whose life is changed when he hear the teachings of jesus.
i have a thing for jesus books …. that’s three from me.
Thanks
Bible
yeah, my first inclination was to say matthew, mark, luke and john.
Nope.
Killing Jesus by Bill o reilly
I was just going to say that. I thought it was great!
Read that book and it was well written
I just got this! Glad to hear its well written
Following!
I agree with others – the 4 gospels and if you research them , and who Matthew Mark
Luke and John were , their writing styles make more sense . I’d only move onto other biographies after having a thorough grasp of the 4 gospels
Jesus by Charles Swindol.
Read “The Jesus Mysteries” by Timothy Freke and Peter Gandy. Eye-opening.
Thanks
A lot of Bart Ehrman stuff is really good.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20149192-how-jesus-became-god
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51364.Misquoting_Jesus
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6101996-jesus-interrupted
https://www.amazon.com/Did-Jesus-Exist-Historical-Argument/dp/0062206443/ref=sr_1_1/144-0090583-1196637?ie=UTF8&qid=1519262939&sr=8-1&keywords=did+jesus+exist
One of my favs: https://www.amazon.com/ZEALOT-Life-Times-Jesus-Nazareth/dp/140006922X
Yes! I love that one too!
Asking Billy Graham is no longer an option. RIP.
Heaven must be rejoicing their faithful servant is home.
The Bible.
Jesus The Christ by James E. Talmage. Beautiful – comprehensive.
I have it in 5 languages…
Jesus, The One and Only by Beth Moore
https://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Before-Gospels-Christians-Remembered-ebook/dp/B00Z71VJJS/ref=la_B001I9RR7G_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1519264542&sr=1-6
Lamb by Christopher Moore
The zealot
Taylor Caldwell wrote several books that discussed Christ. I love how she writes.
The Jesus I Never Knew by Phillip Yancy.
Jesus: A Biography from a Believer by Paul Johnson
The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel
I’m a New Testament PhD 🙂 Are you looking for HISTORICAL or inspirational? Or figuring our how we know what we know, and what is part of the later story? Feel free to PM me too!
Katy, what would you recommend on the historical/critical side?
@Jan They tend to not be really BIOS but more books ABOUT the Gospels and the process of the development of Jesus. I have a feeling “One Jesus, Many Christs” by Riley may be helpful; or “From Jesus to Christ” by Paula Fredrickson
Historical wanted to know more about the years not in the bible
@Mary Oh, OK!! So those years are just not documented. There are non-canonical texts that talk *some* about Jesus childhood, but everything else is really speculative. The Infancy Gospel of Thomas (you can just google it and find it) has some wild stories about Jesus’ childhood but they are in no way a biography, you know? Instead, they are stories written by later generations of Christians that tell *miraculous* stories of Jesus’ childhood in order to show something about him (divinity, etc.). So a *good* biography won’t be able to tell you very much, unfortunately.
@Katy that’s kinda what I thought but I thought I’d ask anyway
Also did Jesus have any brothers or sisters there are some bibles that alluded to that
@Mary definitely yes in the Gospels. Catholic doctrine will say no but Protestants are fine with it (usually).
@Katy thanks you’ve been a big help
??
Love the signed copy!! Lol
For a great fiction read, try ‘The Last Temptation of Christ’ by Nikos Kazantzakis (who also wrote ‘Zorba the Greek’). It imagines the life he could have had had he not pursued his religious mission. Very engrossing (and I’m an atheist).
I like this one too! (And I’m a Christian minister who is highly irreverent).
The gospels are a great starting point. I really like commentaries by Matthew Henry to dig deeper into the gospels. I also really like Max Lucado. My favorite book by him, “And The Angles Were Silent”. He writes a lot of books that have opened my eyes to the gospel and Jesus Christ.
Thanks
The Robe by Lloyd C Douglas
Is it the book the movie was based on
Yes, but as always, the book is sooo much better!!
It is… I read it first when I was about 12 and now I’m in my thirties and have just barely finished rereading it. The movie doesn’t even compare! Amazing book!
I’ve not read “Jesus: A Novel” by Walter Wangerin, but his “Book of God: The Bible as a Novel” is rated highly by fellow Christians.
Thanks looks interesting
Geza Vermes has written lots, E.P Sanders – The Historical Jesus, and A.N Wilson -Jesus.
The Life of Jesus – Shusaka Endo
You may also be interested in The Man From Nazareth by Anthony Burgess, King Jesus by Robert Graves, and The Good Man Jesus and The Scoundrel Christ by Philip Pullmann
Demi’s picture book
The Bible?
You might enjoy The Ragamuffin Gospel— a book about how people have twisted and messed with the teachings of Jesus.
Life of Christ by Fulton J. Sheen and Jesus, A Pilgrimage by James Martin, SJ
Thanks
Is this author Bishop Sheen
Yes Bishop Sheen
@Kymallia that’s what I thought thanks
It has been a long time since I’ve read Bishop Sheen book but as I remember it was powerful and beautifully written.
I think it is the definitive Life of Christ . But with all these choices who knows . Certainly given me some proper Lent reading
I am reading Jesus, a Pilgrimage right now. I highly recommend it
I should revisit that as well.
Yes I have read that I enjoy reading James Martin SJ . I have just read his first novel The Abbey “
You might check out The Day Christ Was Born and The Day Christ Died by Jim Bishop. They’re older books but excellent. A newer one is Jesus: A Biography, from a Believer by Paul Johnson. Looks like you’ve got a great variety of suggestions to look into!
Got my work cut out for the
Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth by Reza Aslan. Very good historical account.
Ummm, no obviously not. Just giving a suggestion to the OP
@Sergio I only wanted BOOK suggestions I didn’t want to get into a theological debate on the existence of God ?
@Mary …Yes, i know!!…sorry!!!
Thanks to all who have participated in this thread in a helpful, kind manner! For those who haven’t, please move along.
I like Michael Grant’s book. He also does Paul. And I like Reza Aslan’s book.
https://books.google.com/books/about/Jesus.html?id=AcEKAgAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=kp_read_button
@Yael Weeeeelll, technically, the Bible is only partially a biography of Jesus, since he’s not the only protagonist. It’s more of a collection of biblical figures and their backstories 😀
Do you have a particular perspective you want to explore ? Some controversial titles are The case for Jesus & Bill O Reiley’s “K** Jesus. Both focus on his greatness but have misleading and repulsive titles.
The Bible.
If you’re looking for a non-western point of view, consider
Shusako Endo’s Life of Christ:
https://smile.amazon.com/Life-Jesus-Shusaku-Endo/dp/0809123193/ref=la_B000AP83OK_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1519506035&sr=1-6