Alfred Edersheim (1825–1889)

Absolutely terrible. I made it to page 8 before I quit: a new record low for me. I gave up after the the author, a Jewish convert to Christianity, said with what I assume was a straight face that first-century CE Jerusalem outdid even Rome in architectural splendor. No it didn’t. It just didn’t. My expectations were further dashed in that Edersheim leaned into his convert’s zeal rather than embracing both his Jewish past and his Christian present for what would surely have been an show more interesting dual perspective on the significance of the Temple. The first few pages were positively littered with hagiographical pretentiousness and saccharine prose. I didn’t even think it was possible to be hagiographic about a building. So, I rate it a half-star introducing me to this novelty, and another half-star for, I don’t know, effort I guess. show less

Edersheim was a Jewish scholar (1825-1889) who converted to Christianity as a young adult. This work records his research into Jesus Christ, following his reasoning and objections as he studies his life. It's meticulously researched, if you speak half a dozen foreign languages and have access to his sources (hundreds of them). He is primarily concerned that the current research of his day was not adequately handling the Jewish sources in their full context. I found the work fascinating to show more see his process of induction. (Have seen some concerns about dated sources; will leave that for the experts.) show less

This book, for me, is a rather difficult one to rate as I read it with such a different mindset, more than 20 years ago, now. I found it fascinating, exhilarating, and frightening all at once, as I questioned the direction my life should take back in the middle of my college studies, and in the process of leaving one faith for another. I spent 6 months, many many hours, and much ink in researching dates, references, concordances and languages with Edersheim. I came to different conclusions show more than he did, but respect his work greatly.
In Service to Community Cooperation,
ShiraDestinie
MEOW Date: Sunday, May 19. 12014 H.E. (Holocene Era) show less

This book, for me, is a rather difficult one to rate as I read it with such a different mindset, more than 20 years ago, now. I found it fascinating, exhilarating, and frightening all at once, as I questioned the direction my life should take back in the middle of my college studies, and in the process of leaving one faith for another. I spent 6 months, many many hours, and much ink in researching dates, references, concordances and languages with Edersheim. I came to different conclusions show more than he did, but respect his work greatly.
In Service to Community Cooperation,
ShiraDestinie
MEOW Date: Sunday, May 19. 12014 H.E. (Holocene Era) show less