Geza Vermes (1924-2013)

Geza Vermes, the renowned scholar of Jesus and Judaism, died:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/17/world/europe/geza-vermes-dead-sea-scrolls-scho...;

Geza Vermes, a religious scholar who argued that Jesus as a historical figure could be understood only through the Jewish tradition from which he emerged, and who helped expand that understanding through his widely read English translations of the Dead Sea Scrolls, died on May 8 in Oxford, England. He was 88.

His Jesus the Jew was on my reading list for Religious Studies A level, and I found it fascinating.

I read it in seminary. He changed the nature of Jesus studies with Jesus the Jew, and while other light shone brighter, he lit the first one.

Yes, he's on my 'wishlist'.

Though he might just be a bit outdated now...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwUZOZN-9dc (1:00:05)
"Why I Think Jesus Didn't Exist: A Historian Explains the Evidence That Changed His Mind"

Things are looking up :-)

A program on Australian radio:
http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/spiritofthings/the-dead-sea-scrolls...

I heard him speak at a special lecture event at our local synagogue about 6 years ago. He was fascinating and very entertaining.

Wow. That's a pretty good speaker. Your event coordinator deserves a raise.

It looks like he got one book more out, Christian Beginnings (Yale UP).

Here's a review in America Magazine: http://www.americamagazine.org/issue/culture/which-jesus-ours