Dr. Kenneth E. Bailey's work in Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes: Cultural Studies in the Gospels, in my estimation is unprecedented in its nature. What do I mean by this? As one who is an amateur in historical Jesus studies (researching for close to two years now), I have found this book to be the clearest, yet most exhaustive work in understanding Jesus through the eyes of a first century Jew. Bailey avoids any kind of jargon, thus using exemplary brevity and writes with a clear and understandable literary prose. On top of this, to make sure the reader understands what is being discussed, he often uses first hand stories that bring to life the teaching or action of Jesus he is working to expound upon.1
Larry King, when the host of his show on CNN, was once asked who he would most want to interview if he could choose anybody from all of history. He said "Jesus Christ." The questioner then said, "And what would you like to ask Him? King replied, "I would like to ask Him if He was indeed virgin-born. The answer to that question would define history for me." 2 The question of "Who was Jesus of Nazareth?" is arguably the most important question that is presented to us human beings. The purpose of this work is exactly that. Though it is not focused as an apologetic, it works at discovering who the first century Jesus of Nazareth was. Bailey, though drawing on the literary critical tools founded in the enlightenment, simultaneously maintains an exceptionally high view of Scripture, and consistently works as a historian, theologian, and faithful Christian. He does not pick and choose with a Thomas Jefferson esque critical method, discounting the miraculous while holding to the natural. Thus, it is highly dependent on one's presuppositions regarding God and miraculous intervention throughout history to determine whether or not they will be in agreement with many of Bailey's proposals.
Something I, in particular found phenomenally helpful was his vast knowledge of ancient Jewish literature. With this knowledge he clearly and concisely shows us in the introduction of his book different rhetorical literary structures to look for while reading Scripture. When coming across these structures in the texts that he covers, he shows them, and then uses them to understand it. The rhetorical literary structures mentioned are straight-line sequence parallelism, inverted parallelism (chiastic structure), and step parallelism.3
With this covered he enters into the teachings and actions recorded by the Gospel writers. Part 1 covers the birth of Jesus, Part 2 covers the beatitudes, part 3 is focused on the Lord's prayer, part 4 covers dramatic actions performed by Jesus, part 5 focuses on Jesus' culturally radical treatment of women, and lastly part 6 emphasized exposition on the parables of Jesus.
What I found extremely enriching in this book is Bailey's spirituality. Bailey, though a scholar, writes as a pastor, a mystic, a disciple and friend of the Lord Jesus. Nearly every time I closed the book, I felt a resonation within me that required a proper response either in worship, contemplation, and action (or all three for the matter). I believe that this book truly is an instrument of the Holy Spirit that brings conviction and causes the church to reform and radically engage the world as Jesus taught the early church to do.
With all this said, I did have a few issues with this lovely tome. Bailey, I think at times tended to read into the text a bit much. When did this happen? This normally, but rarely occurred when pointing out rhetorical literary structures. Thus, I tend to think he pointed out non-existent rhetorical structures. The second and last issue is actually more of a wish. I wish that he spent more time on the book of John. The entire focus of this book was exposition on the teachings, stories, and actions of Jesus found in the synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke), with the exception of Jesus' engagement with the women at the well in John's Gospel.
In summation, I think Bailey's book is without a doubt worth the read. Because it is a clear read, it is a book that should be on the shelf of the layman and scholarly alike. I urge the church to grapple with this fine work, for surely it will prompt the believer, pastor, and Christian scholar to worship with their mind, but moreover their heart as well.
Grace & Peace,
Daniel.
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From the brand
From the Publisher
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| Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes | Paul Through Mediterranean Eyes | The Cross & the Prodigal | Jacob & the Prodigal | The Good Shepherd | |
| Customer Reviews |
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189
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| Price | $21.61 | $33.49 | $11.39 | $18.99 | $19.49 |
| Date Published | January 22, 2008 | September 19, 2011 | June 3, 2005 | April 24, 2003 | November 18, 2014 |
| Awards | 2012 Christianity Today Book Award winner | Honored in 2006 as a "Year's Best Book for Preachers" by Preaching magazine | Logos Bookstores' 2015 Best Book in Theology / Doctrine / Reference | ||
| Subjects | Christian History church history, cultural analysis, history, Jesus | Biblical studies, New Testament, Paul | New Testament, Luke, Jesus & the Gospels, religious studies, world religions, Islam | Biblical studies, New Testament, Jesus & the Gospels | Biblical studies, New Testament topics & issues, Old Testament, history of the Middle East |
| Reading Level | intermediate | intermediate | intermediate | intermediate | intermediate |
| Description | Ken Bailey leads you on a kaleidoscopic study of Jesus throughout the four Gospels, examining the life and ministry of Jesus. The work dispels the obscurity of Western interpretations with a stark vision of Jesus in his original context. | In this groundbreaking study of Paul's first epistle to the Corinthians, Kenneth Bailey examines the canonical letter through Paul's Jewish socio-cultural and rhetorical background and through the Mediterranean context of its Corinthian recipients. | Kenneth E. Bailey interprets the parable of the prodigal son from a Middle Eastern perspective. When we approach it with the correct cultural lens, Bailey argues, the parable's true Christological character is revealed. | Kenneth E. Bailey compares the Old Testament saga of Jacob and the New Testament parable of the prodigal son, offering a fresh view of how Jesus interpreted Israel's past, his present, and their future. | Kenneth Bailey traces the theme of the good shepherd from its origins in Psalm 23 through the prophets and into the New Testament, observing how it changed, developed and was applied by the biblical writers over a thousand-year span. |
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Reviews with images
I love this book but the biding is coming apart.
I honestly can't give this book a bad review. Everything about this man's life and works are amazing. I'm learning alot. Unfortunately I already started reading it and highlighting in it but I just noriced that the book I received the binding is coming apart.
Top reviews from the United States
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Scholarly, yet spiritually reflective book on the historical Jesus of [mostly] the synoptic Gospels.
Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2011Reviewed in the United States on January 27, 2012
Top reviews from other countries
Liz
Excellent - interesting and highly readable
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 16, 2024Russell O. Redman
My favorite book on what the New Testament meant at the time it was written.
Reviewed in Canada on August 26, 2020
Emma K
An absolute GEM of a book which was like meeting the REAL Jesus for the first time.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 13, 2016