Jesus Beyond Christianity: The Classic Texts

by Stephen E. Gregg, Gregory A. Barker

Overview

For the first time classic readings on Jesus from outside of Christianity have been brought together in one volume. Jesus Beyond Christianity: The Classic Texts features significant passages on Jesus from Judaism, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism. The fifty-six selections span two millennia of thought, including translated extracts from the Talmud and the Qur'an, and writings by Mahatma Gandhi and the 14th Dalai Lama.

The volume features fresh translations of important texts, 'Key-Issues' introductions, questions for discussion and guides for further reading. Importantly, each set of readings ends with an entirely fresh reflection from a leading scholar in the field. Every care has been taken to present these often controversial passages in a manner consistent with the aims of their authors; accompanying notes directly address challenging issues.

This unique collection of readings promises to become an essential resource in the study of the world's religions, providing rich guidance for anyone seeking to understand the central convergences and debates between religious traditions.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780199553457
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	04/12/2010
Pages:	322
Product dimensions:	5.70(w) x 8.50(h) x 1.10(d)

Table of Contents

General IntroductionI: Jesus in Judaism: The Classic TextsJewish Perceptions of Jesus: Key Issues1. Dangerous Times for Jews, Nachmanides' Debate2. The Rejected Disciple, The Talmud3. A Teacher of Jewish Law, The Talmud4. The Bible Testifies Against the Deity of Jesus, The Nizzachon Vetus5. The Church - Not Jesus - is the Heretic, Isaac of Troki, Faith Strengthened6. Jesus: Jewish Evangelist to the Gentiles, Letter of Rabbi Jacob Emden7. Reasons for Jewish Silence on Jesus, Moses Mendelssohn, Letter to Johann Caspar Lavater8. Jesus: An Unoriginal Pharisee, Abraham Geiger, Judaism and its History9. Jesus: Forerunner of the Reform Jew, Kauffman Kohler, Jesus of Nazareth10. The Value of the Gospels for a Jew, Claude Montefiore, The Synoptic Gospels11. Jesus: A Prophet, Claude Montefiore, The Synoptic Gospels12. Jesus: Destroyer of Culture and Nation, Joseph Klausner, Jesus of Nazareth13. Jesus on Jewish Soil, Leo Baeck, "The Gospel as a Document of History"14. No Sentimental Love, David Flusser, JesusClosing Reflection, Dan Cohn-SherbokQuestions for DiscussionGuide for Further ReadingII. Jesus in Islam: The Classic TextsMuslim Perceptions of Jesus: Key Issues1. The Miraculous Birth of Jesus, The Qur'an2. The Mission of Jesus, The Qur'an3. The End of Jesus' Life?, The Qur'an4. Right and Wrong Responses to Jesus, The Qur'an5. A Final Word from the Qur'an, The Qur'an6. Jesus in the Hadith, Sahih Bukhari7. The Ascetic Jesus, The Muslim Jesus8. Jesus and the Powers of God, Al-Tabari, The History of al-Tabari9. Jesus in the Graveyard, Al-Tha'labi, The Tales of the Prophets10. A Rationalist Examines Christian Claims about Jesus, Al-Razi, al-Tafsir al-Kabir11. Jesus: A Mirror of God, Al-Ghazali, The Ninety-Nine Beautiful Names of God12. Jesus and the Fool, Jalal al-Din Rumi, The Mathnawi13. On Praising a Human Being, Al-Busairi, Qasidah Burdah14. Realising God, Ibn al-Arabi, The Bezels of Wisdom15. Who Died on the Cross?, Ibn Kathir, Tafsir al-Qur'an al-azim16. Jesus in India, Ghulam Ahmad, Jesus in India17. Jesus and Non-violence, Ghulam Ahmad Parwez, Islam: A Challenge to Religion18. Jesus Between Us and You, A Common Word Between UsClosing Reflection, Amjad HussainQuestions for DiscussionGuide for Further ReadingIII. Jesus in Hinduism: The Classic TextsHindu Perceptions of Jesus: Key Issues1. Jesus was a Unitarian, Rammohan Roy, Answer of a Hindoo2. A Divine Teacher, Not Atoner, Rammohan Roy, The Precepts of Jesus3. Jesus, The Ideal Son, Keshub Chunder Sen, Lectures in India4. Repudiate the Little Christ, Keshub Chunder Sen, Lectures in India5. Jesus: Simple, Honest & Ignorant, Dayananda Saraswati, Satyarth Prakash6. Mystical Experiences of the Universal Jesus, Ramakrishna, The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna7. Jesus is like Ramakrishna, Ramakrishna, The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna8. Jesus vs. His Christian Followers, Vivekananda, The Preface to the Imitation of Christ and Christianity in India9. Jesus Was Oriental, Vivekananda, Christ, The Messenger10. Jesus is the Property of the World, M.K. Gandhi, The Message of Jesus Christ11. Christ Has Yet to be Born, M.K. Gandhi, The Message of Jesus Christ12. Jesus' Message Continues to be Ignored, Aurobindo Ghose, Essays Divine and Human13. An Avatar of Sorrow, Aurobindo Ghose, Essays on the Gita and Savitri: A Legend & A Symbol14. An Eastern Seer, Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, Eastern Religions and Western Thought and East and West in ReligionClosing Reflection, Gavin FloodQuestions for DiscussionGuide for Further ReadingIV. Jesus in Buddhism: The Classic TextsBuddhist Perceptions of Jesus: Key Issues1. Jesus: Son of a Dubious Deity, Fabian Fucan, Deus Destroyed2. The Founder of a Passive Religion, Ouyi Zhixu3. Jesus: A Teacher of Morality, Thuken Chökyi Nyima, The Crystal Mirror4. A Demon in Disguise, The Carpenter-Heretic5. Birth Omens Compared, Migettuwatte Gunananda, A Full Account of the Buddhist Controversy Held at Pantura6. A Man Between Egoism and Universalism, Anagarika Dharmapala, "An Appreciation of Christianity"7. Jesus: Absolute and Relative, Tanabe Hajime, The Demonstratio of Christianity8. Obliterating God Consciousness, Daisetsu Teitaro Suzuki, An Introduction To Zen Buddhism9. A Man Tortured by Contradictions, Sheng Yen, "Further Discussion of the Similarities and Differences between Buddhism and Christianity"10 The Good Heart of Jesus, Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, The Good Heart Closing Reflection - Donald S. Lopez, Jr.Closing Reflection, Donald S. Lopez, Jr.Questions for DiscussionGuide for Further ReadingAcknowledgementsIndex